Have you heard of the Flats Diaper Challenge?

The flats diaper challenge is a 5 day "hand-washing" challenge, where moms from all over take the plunge (no pun intended) to raise awareness that not only can cloth diapers be extremely affordable, but that you don't even need a washing machine or dryer to do it!!

Moms from all walks of life can cloth diaper their babies.

The challenge is started with nothing more than a couple of diaper covers (shells), a snappi (optional) and a day or two worth of flat diapers (diaper flats, receiving blankets, old t-shirts, flour sack towels).

You "hand-wash" your flats and shells in a sink, basin or bucket, using tools like a washing plunger or even your hands (we recommend using latex gloves).

When I first started cloth diapering almost 3 years ago with the arrival of my third daughter, we started with flats and covers.

We’ve moved on to try other things since then, but I have never forgotten the low price, ease of cleaning and awesome absorbency of our beloved flats! 

For the 2015 challenge, ready with a brand new 2 month old, I have pulled them back out again to try in my all-time favorite fitting cover (you guessed it, Softbums)!

You guys, I am LOVING IT!

Look how trim this stuffed Omni and Ai2 Echo are with a flat inside!

 
 

Check out my video about how simple it is to lay a flat diaper in your shell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIIioOf2kVg

If you too are using flats with your Softbums or are participating in this year’s challenge, or even if you just want to try something like flats out for a day, share with us, we want to see!

Also, check out these links for tips on hand washing  https://crunchyathome.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/how-i-handwash-my-flats/ )

folding your flats (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Q7BEh_4Ow ) and why Kim was first inspired to start this challenge on her blog Dirty Diaper laundry.

http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/5ht-annual-flats-and-handwashing-challenge-to-take-place-may-11-17/

Happy diapering!

Megan

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

SoftBums Flats Challenge!!

Who out there uses flats inside your SoftBums?  


Monday the 21st the 2nd annual flats challenge started, have you given flats a chance?

SoftBums are an ideal cover to use with your flats.  The Echo cover 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.  And they are SUPER TRIM!!!  Love that part :)


The Omni with the optional pocket is amazing for stuffing your flats!  You can stuff several flats in the generous pocket for Night time too! 

 

(This is a Flat from IKEA that was in a 2 pack for $4.  I really LOVE the soft green print on this one!  The other one is just plain white, but they are both Super soft, Trim, Cheap, and absorbent as all get out.  It was really easy to fold this into the "Pad Fold" or rectangle to fit it into my SoftBums ECHO shell, took me all of about 10 seconds, lol)

Just like every other form of insert, flats have their pros and cons and they have some awesome pros!  Just to name a couple; 

1.  They are cheap! (If you are just starting out with cloth diapers you'd only need 3-5 SoftBums shells + 12-24 Flats for enough diapers for a day's worth! That's $80 to get started with some really good diapers!)

2.  Easy to Fold into a rectangle (called Pad Fold on some sites)to fit into a SoftBums shell.  

3.  SUPER TRIM (love this pro best personally) 


4.  Wash easy, and dry fast! (for newbies to cloth diapers, this is one diapering combo that you seriously CAN'T screw up!)
 


You can find flats to buy at lots of places, we saw some at kelly's closet

But, you can always improvise and use other things as a flat diaper. Try getting Flour sacks from a local store like Walmart or Target, they are super soft, and just the right size.  Or tea towels work well too.


Sarah, SoftBums founder told me a story where her and her family got stranded at an airport and ended up staying there for 3 days.  She had no way to go shopping and only had flats and some SoftBums covers with her.  She hand washed the flats in the sink and hung them to dry at night and they were dry in the morning!


In the spirit of the challenge I am giving flats a try!  I am leaving to go camping... like 30 minutes ago, seriously.  
Sarah convinced me to give them a try, so I packed some in with my standard pods, a Large and Small zippered wetbag, and will let you know how they go!  I do not plan on hand washing, but if needed I brought my biodegradable soap to wash with.

 (This is the IKEA Flat Pad folded inside my ECHO SoftBums Shell.  It's really uber trim, and would be really easy to show a friend who was new to cloth diapers and not sure how to start.)

Since I am new to this whole Flats thing, this site helped a lot; dirty diaper laundry.

Check out these videos:
How to pad fold a flat
how to kite fold
How to origami style fold a flat
How to diaper bag fold a flat

When I get home on Monday I will tell you how it all went!

Who else will give it a try!?