Monday, May 20, 2013

Flats Handwashing Challenge SoftBums Style Giveaway & Winner!

Yep its that time again,

What is the Flat's & Handwashing Challenge you ask?

Cloth Diapering families all around the world vow to use only flats (diaper flats, flour sack towels, burp clothes, t-shirts, towels) and waterproof covers to diaper their child (or children) for a whole 7 days. Not only that but vow not to use a washing machine or electric dryer to clean the diapers for those 7 days. They must clean them by means of handwashing and line drying and /or pressing with an iron.

WHY???? Seriously Why?

Actually its for very good reasoning. This event aims to bring awareness and educate cloth diapering families and beyond about the benefits and feasibility of using flat cloth diapers, the most basic of all diapers, and handwashing. Why? Because there are families who struggle everyday with diaper need. There are no federal or state funded assistance programs to help families buy diapers. This can result in babies being left in diapers too long or families reusing disposable diapers; both options pose serious health risks for the baby. Dirty Diaper Laundry's goal has always been to prove that, when necessary, a small number of flat cloth diapers, covers, and a simple bucket washer or tub can be all a family needs to provide clean and sanitary diapers.

Why flats? Why not just use modern cloth diapers?

Flat cloth diapers are simple, easy and more importantly quick to wash & dry & easier to get clean. They are very absorbent and when used correctly is a very trim option for stuffing your "modern pocket diapers" aka your SoftBums Omni's. They are simple to use and folding styles are abundant. For example: pad fold, origami, kite, diaper bag fold, and the “jo” fold.  Knowledge and practice are key when it comes to flats, and thanks to youtube it literally takes 10 mins to learn all the styles of folding a flat cloth diaper to best fit your baby. Gone are the days of diaper pins so no worries about poking yourself or your baby. Now we have the option's of Snappi's or Boingo to hold the flat together before covering with your waterproof cover or shell.

Do people really do this?

"Yes, in this world on a daily basis there are families that actually DO THIS. And even more who could save a lot of money by handwashing flats even on a very part time basis as a way to stretch the disposable diapers they have for other places such as daycare.
Last year 260 families participated and 73% felt this was a viable option for families in need. In 2011 over 200 families joined and 80% said that others could “absolutely” use this method!" - According to Dirty Diaper Laundry.

Why are we participating?

Honestly, when I first heard of this I thought that it seemed backwards to me.. Cloth diapering like my granny did??? BUT once I started reading more into it and learned about all the families who can barely afford disposable diapers who think that is the only option. They are spending up to $60 a month on diapers & wipes that they are just throwing away when they could be using affordable reusable cloth diapers and using that extra $60 a month on food for their family or to pay for bills.
  • We are doing this to help create awareness to the world that this can be a solution for any family, especially for those struggling to make ends meet while raising a family.
  • We are doing this to show those who think cloth diapering is hard and or unsanitary, or pointless because their parents told them horror stories of bleach buckets, leaks, plastic pants and pins..
  • We are also doing this to show you how to your cloth diapers while camping or in natural disaster type situations where you don't have access to a washer & dryer.  
  • Finally, we want to show our fans and anyone interested in learning that it can be done, AND it can be fun, clean, and easy (well as easy as handwashing dirty diapers can be)! The BEST part is we will show you how to do it using SoftBums shells :)
SoftBums Echo Shell & a Ikea Flat

SoftBums are an ideal cover to use with your flats.  The Echo shell will hold the flats perfectly in place thanks to the super soft microfleece, and the super trim fit of the cover and the flat will fit wonderfully under any clothing. The Omni with the optional pocket is amazing for stuffing your flats! You can stuff several flats in the generous pocket which is perfect for nighttime use!


Stay Tuned for tomorrows post on what supplies were using, where we bought them, & how much we paid to complete this challenge!

Thanks everyone who participated with us. The winner of the SoftBums Starter Pack has been announced!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



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59 comments:

  1. I am hoping to find a faster wash routine for flats! (hand wash)!

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  2. i've never done the challenge nor have i've been using flats so i'm sure i'll be learning a lot.

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  3. My best friend does this every day. It's the only way she can keep her son in sanitary, fresh, clean diapers. Handwashing and flats is 100% a viable option for low income or struggling families, and it is easier than you could think!

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  4. I can't do it this year :( we have way too much going on this week. Maybe next year though.

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  5. I have a diaper service, but maybe we will do it next year. I use flats though so it kind of counts. Amanda W scinlove@

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  6. How to fold a flat for a good fit

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  7. I am hoping to show my bosses these amazing tips!

    They just started their cloth diaper journey!

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  8. I wish that I was doing it this year. I don't have a child in diapers yet to do the challenge with. BUT I do plan on using flats when my baby is born this fall. I'm hoping to learn so tricks on getting them really clean so they can be used while camping. We love camping in the spring/summer.

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  9. I am unable to participate this year I am currently moving into a new home :(

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  10. How to get a good fit with snappis on my toddler! last year she was little bitty!

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  11. I'm hoping to get a good routine going so I can do this while on camping trips.

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  12. I'm not doing the challenge this year, but last year I did. I learned that flats were so much easier than I anticipated!

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  13. I won't have the opportunity to do the challenge this year, but I'm hoping to learn a lot using flats/prefolds since we plan on using them for the newbie in September, while our toddler uses the SB pods. As a previous poster mentioned, too, would love to see some ideas for handwashing while camping!

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  14. I hope to learn to wash flats properly by hand in case of an emergency. Also for camping!

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  15. I not technically participating, but I am determined to wash atleast some of our diapers by hand this week.

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  16. I'm doing a lot of reading and seeing if anyone finds any better tricks for handwashing... I have to handwash all our laundry all the time so ways to cut down on time are always appreciated! And trying to get creative with ways to make our own flats! :)

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  17. We are doing this challenge and blogging about it to show other moms out there about how cheap using cloth diapers can be!
    Cinella @ The Mami Blog

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  18. We literally just began CD (with flats and covers, atm) so we're looking to learn anything about folding these puppies.

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  19. To brush up on my handwashing skills, always great to have!

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  20. How to best fold flats! I want to have them on hand for the occassional times DD is on antibiotics. I normally switch to sposies because I don't want to risk getting yeast in our diapers.

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  21. Various folds are helpful to learn

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  22. I'm hoping to learn that I can do this even in early pregnancy (with morning sickness and all....we'll see).

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  23. I'm hoping to learn how to easily use loth while camping and prepare myself in case of emergency. And to show others it can be done.

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  24. I'm hoping to learn a new way to diaper my baby..and a more economical way, t00!

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  25. a better way to use my flats and covers :)

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  26. I am most intrigued about handwashing them. I think this will be great to learn for camping and extended trips.

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  27. I can't do the handwashing part because I just had hernia surgery but I love using flats in my pockets.

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  28. I am hoping to learn how to fold flats in different ways!

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  29. Not doing it this year, but hoping to learn from those who are how to make it work best!

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  30. I am not registered for it but I am trying to use flats this week to learn how to make them work for us when we are dealing with diaper rashes. My babies are prone to yeast rashes and I am tired of using disposables when they get one so I am hoping the flats will work since they are easy to clean and can handle being bleached.

    (Rachel N on raffelcopter)

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  31. Not doing the challenge this year, hoping to gain information from those that are!

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  32. This is my second year doing the challenge. It's interesting to do it with a toddler! Padfolding is working best since we have the most layers of absorbency that way. We are using our Echos as covers!!

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  33. I need to learn fast and easy flat folds.

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  34. I didn't prepare in time and the flats I ordered are still not here. I'm hoping I really like them so I can switch over to mostly flats for covers and as pocket inserts.

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  35. I'm excited to be learning how to hand wash!

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  36. i need to figure out a better rinse routine! i can get everything clean just fine but getting the soap completely out is difficult!

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  37. that you can cloth diaper two with flats

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  38. how to diaper simply

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  39. We live in a hurricane prone area. Want to be prepared in case were out of power for a week or so.

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  40. I'm just watching this year... hoping and I think my wish was fulfilled for pictures and instructions on how to fold prefolds. We're blessed to have a wonderwasher so I don't actually have to handwash diapers when we don't have power... but it's hard to get inserts as clean as I'd like!

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  41. I would love to learn some of the different folds for flats as I have never used them!
    jbang0331 at yahoo dot com

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  42. I am also hoping to learn all of the different folds...right now I am just folding the cloth and placing in the cover :-)

    alanna (dot) delbosque (at) mavs (dot) uta (dot) edu

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  43. I want become a better handwasher. I have been tweaking my methods each day. I am going camping for a weekend in September and don't want to use disposables, so handwashing and flats it is!

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  44. I hoping to learn how to fold the flats better. Usually I just do a trifold, but I want to learn other folding methods.

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  45. i wish i can do hand wash but it's impossible for me

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  46. I hoping to learn how easy cloth diapering can be.

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  47. I'm hoping to learn a good washing routine.

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  48. I gotta say that i love how you used an ikea blanket as a flat! (we love ikea! and their blankets!) :)

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  49. I'm hoping to see if hand washing works for us. We moved last November and diapers have become way more complicated with our new HE front loader. I think it will be good to get back to basics!

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  50. Thanks so much for this information! I'm really loving flats. So easy to get clean!

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  51. Flats and echo shells are our preferred daily method here. Love the ease and trimness. Anyone can easily understand how it works ( any sitter, family member...husband lol) and flats are super easy to clean . I love it.

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  52. Just started cloth diapering and want to learn as much as I can about the different low cost options to share with others!

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  53. I am not participating this year but I would love to learn how to hand wash in case of an emergency,

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  54. Less expensive ways to get it done

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