Monday, May 14, 2012

#FlatsChallenge Shopping at Walmart...I should be Banned from that Store

With the Flats Challenge coming up next week, I figured I better get on the ball since I have ZERO flats in my stash! So in an attempt to keep a tight budget for this challenge, I have decided to see how many things can be bought for the Flats Challenge from Walmart! I am hoping to get everything for $25 and under. So here is what I found...


Well actually, it didn't start out so smooth, because I wanted to write down all of the prices to share with you, but I forgot a pen and paper....so I found a lip pencil and an envelope that I used to write down the prices...
Now onto the actual Flats Shopping! The first, and probably most important part of the Flats Challenge are the Flats themselves! I found a couple of options:
1) Mainstays Flour Sacks were found in the kitchen towel isle. There were (2) packs for $1.97, or (5) packs for $5.48.
2) Gerber Birdseye Flat Cloth Diapers found in the baby section. This 10 pack was $12.48.

Now onto the covers that are available in my local Walmart. There are not a lot in the store, and they are not very cute, but luckily, I have enough covers in my stash to last for the challenge.
Walmart had this 4 pack of covers for only $5.84. They are sized in lbs/months. Luckily I have enough Flip and Oeko Popo covers that I will not need to purchase any of these

Next onto the washing part:
I am planning on making my own washing system: Camp Style Bucket Washer. For the system you need a 5 gallon bucket, a plunger, and a drill to make the hole in the bucket! I have a plunger at home, but this one was only $2.98.
On another note, I could not find a 5 gallon bucket...and I wasn't gong to pay $52.00 for paint just to get the bucket...I will keep looking! Now onto the detergents that are available at Walmart....and I was a little surprised with the new selection.
This was the selection of detergents that I could find. I currently do not use any of these, but know a number of people who use them. These are the 40 load powder boxes. The All Free and Clear box was $4.47.  Both Tide's (Original and Free & Gentle) were $9.24 each.

Since our Walmart never seems to have anything "cloth diaper friendly" I was pleasantly surprised at my outcome. In fact, it is possible to do the Flats challenge for $25 and under using all of the items found in my local Walmart (minus the 5 gallon bucket).

But before I end this post, I must say that Walmart always gets me into trouble! In addition to the items I bought for the Flats Challenge, I got junk...chips...ice cream (2 gallons) and wait.....a diet coke (I know it's so bad) and pretzel M&M's which are sooooo delicious!!!


Are you participating in the Flats Challenge?


Do you have Flats in Your Stash?


What cloth diapering items are in your local Walmart?

20 comments:

  1. I am doing the flats challenge. I am trying to make it as "extreme" worst case scenario as possible, as a way to train myself for the eventuality of a zombie apocalypse.

    I am not buying anything for the challenge, although I have been a pocket/AIO-2 lady. I am using receiving blankets, pins, and that is it. I think if I had a toddler I would be singing a different tune, though- ebf pooz aren't that big a deal.

    Our Walmart has a gpants style diaper section- that is perpetually full. They are called Mabu-baby, I bought some before just to try out. They come with a "poo sling" the cover, disposable liners and a microfiber insert!!! Other than that, I believe they carry the dreaded Gerber Birdseyes, maybe some of their plastic pants.

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    1. ha ha ha! I love that you have prepped for a worst case scenario zombie apocalypse...that is actually a good idea for another post...the "what if's".

      I am jealous that your walmart has more than me...gdiapers and mabu baby! I love AI2 as well! If I had more receiving blankets, and such, I would use those too!!

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  2. I am not planning on participating in the flats challenge, but I'm more and more intrigued as I read more about it.

    I've heard good things about the MainStays flour sacks. As far as the 5 gallon bucket - I know they can be purchased at Lowe's! And my local Wal-Mart has Seventh Generation Free and Clear laundry detergent, although keeping cost below $25 would be difficult. I think it's about $20 for 90 loads

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    1. I too was intrigued for awhile, and finally gave in last week! Thanks for the tip on the bucket! I will have to look for one! I think we have one around the house somewhere..hopefully it's still not filled with paint! Awesome that your walmart has Seventh Generation detergent...might make it a little hard if its $20 bucks!

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  3. FYI: Most Walmart bakeries will give you a free 5 gallon bucket or sell them for $1. Oh, and don't forget receiving blankets there if someone wants "cute" options.

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    1. Nice! Thanks for the tip! Our town doesn't have a walmart with a bakery, however, I know another store that does! Maybe I will check that out!

      I like the receiving blanket idea too...I just wish I had more..only have a few...and those are a little more expensive than the flour sacks, but WAY cuter:-) I should look for some in tag sales!!!

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  4. I have some extra cute reveiving blankets that you could use...although I think they may be a little too girly for Mr. Jaron!

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  5. I love this challenge and I think it's such a great idea. I've handwashed my regular diapers before and, although time consuming, I was really surprised with the outcome! However, am I crazy thinking that flats would not be a viable option for a super-soaker? My son pees like no other child I've ever heard about. We had to give up most cotton and microfiber diapers and prefolds are now out of the question since they can't hold a single pee. I can't imagine flats working for him at all. Unless there are hemp/bamboo flats that I'm unaware of...or some sort of super-stuffing trick. :-/

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    1. I know there are hemparoo's flats, but they are 2 or 3 ply and the contest only allows for 1 ply...except for night diapering! I must agree, it would be hard if you couldn't double up for heavy wetters!

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  6. So, I'm not doing the flats challenge. I have five kids and just don't have the time or energy to DO IT. We have a ton of stuff going on and I can't put the extra effort into it. I DID, however, go to walmart and buy the 2 packs of flour sack towels week before last so that we could have both our boys in cloth instead of just one (we have 15 total now for flats) and surprisingly enough, our toddler is doing okay with a prefold now that he's in cloth, so I'm not using them that much. I was moderately irritated that the cost per towel was cheaper for a two pack than a 5 pack. Anyway, I just sat here and watched the how-to video for the camp washer...OMG! GENIUS! I made DH come in here and watch it. He said they taught him how to do that in the navy, but that yours is WAY more fancy because they literally just used the bucket and the plunger and made a hot mess. I was like 'how could you not tell me this?! I NEED to know these things!!' (Seriously, he's all about mentally prepping for things like government meltdown, natural disaster, zombies....I will be showing the video to my 9 year old as soon as she gets home from school too. LOL)

    I'm really excited to read the experiences of other mommies though. Is there going to be a linky blog where we can go to and read them all in one place?

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    1. Ha ha ha! I haven't made my washer yet! I might do a video of me making it myself:-) Not sure if there will be a linky or not! It would make sense, and if not, I will suggest the idea!!

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  7. Oh, and to answer the questions:

    I am planning to participate in the challenge. This will be my first year, as last year something major came up and we weren't able to participate.

    I already have a lot of Swaddlebees and Ikea flats from last year that I only used a few times, plus plenty of covers already on hand. I did pick up a few of the newer prints of the Ikea flats, though. I still haven't even started on my camp washer yet, though. At this rate, I'll just be washing in the tub.

    My Walmart has flour sack towels, Gerber Flats, Diaper Pins and the Gerber plastic pants (I think). We also still have a small fabric section with cotton flannel and cotton knits (mostly on clearance now).

    Just a few more ideas for Walmart flats, the cheap (12/$4) washcloths will work on a newborn with one laid flat and the other trifolded in the middle. These also work well for doublers and/or wipes later on. On a skinny older baby or toddler, a hand towel can be used folded down in the front for a boy or the back for a girl with any of the above folded in the middle. The awesome thing about the washcloths and towels if that they snappi so well. Also, don't forget to check the automotive department for tons of absorbent options.

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    1. Just be careful about the material with the automotive towels, because a lot of them are microfiber which aren't supposed to sit directly against the baby's skin, however, you can use pockets in this challenge, so you might be able to stuff the pocket! Good Luck with the challenge! The Swaddlebees look super cute:-)

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  8. I'm not participating in the challenge but I am very interested in reading about it on all the blogs!! :) Good luck! Can't wait to read about it!

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  9. Also, many Burger Kings (and possibly other restaurants) use 5 gallon buckets as well, and if you ask they may be willing to give them to you also. They have the nice snap-tight lid too. Or maybe even try a local painter, might have an empty bucket laying around. Good luck!

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  10. You are lucky...my local Walmart has ZERO cloth diapering items. I looked today and they didn't even have those dreaded birdseyes! It would probably be better just to get strips of cloth cut in their fabric section anyway...

    I really would love to participate in the flats challenge, but I just can't convince myself to do it (even with the camp style washer).

    Good to know about where to get those buckets!

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  11. I don't have a big bucket. Instead I am stuck using the puny One I used last year. I bought some Diaper Rite flats though since my flour sack towels are falling apart.

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  12. For the bucket, go to home depot. They have cheap 5 gallon buckets :-) They are normally stacked throughout the store, but they definitely have them in the paint dept

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