Thursday, May 24, 2012

First #FlatsChallege Casualty + First Time Hand Washing Ever



I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!

Day 3 Update: I have completed day 3 of the Flats and Hand Washing Challenge! Almost halfway there! I feel like I have been doing this forever. 

Up until this point in my life, I don't think I have ever hand-washed anything before...except myself, the baby, and the dishes! I do feel like it has been a huge challenge, but I am surprised at how easy it is! Now I didn't say it was convenient, but easy!

I am loving my Camp Style Washer, and will probably use it after the challenge is over for really poopy, stain-prone diapers...before I put them in the washer for a rinse! I have done my washing outside next to the faucet which makes things easier as well. I just plop on my big rain boots and off I go. God only knows what my neighbors are thinking when they see me in my PJ's and rain boots with a plunger and bucket at 10:30 PM.

Here is my attempt at making a washing routine that works for me...now I am warning you that I don't quite have it down yet...and it might seem a little overkill...but hey, I am still learning
  1. Take dirty dipes and open them up all the way, put 6-8 in the bucket.
  2. Fill bucket with cold water.
  3. Plunge dipes for 30-50 plunges/strokes, and let sit in water for 20 minutes.
  4. When I remember to come back...oops...I empty the water and add clean water + some Country Save Detergent, then another 50+ plunges/strokes.
  5. Let sit in soapy water for another 20 minutes.
  6. Dump soapy water, add clean water and plunge again for 30-50 strokes.
  7. Let sit for 20 minutes or so to be sure all suds are out of the bucket.
  8. Empty for a final time and squeeze excess water out. Then on to the drying routine.
Seems to work pretty well for me, I would however like to cut down the number of fill ups and dump outs that I am doing. Will have to play around to see what I come up with!

Oh...and I forgot to mention that I had my First Flats Challenge Casualty this morning. I went out to get my first load of the day started when I found a dead bee in the empty bucket! Ewww...gross... I HATE bees...and Yes I am that girl who runs away from the bee's! I can taken any other type of insects, but not bees! 

So what's your hand washing routine like?

What kind of detergent do you find works the best?

5 comments:

  1. I was so afraid that your casualty was going to be a diaper. Glad it was a bee!!!!

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  2. I don't even know you and I'm cracking up at the image of a woman outside in her boots and pjs, plunging away. The things we do for a good cause!

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  3. Very useful post for hand washing moms like me

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