Day 4: How am I doing with handwashing?
Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry
We're on to the fourth day of the challenge. It's actually become just a touch boring. Using flats is very simple. It's very much like using prefolds, but in some ways it's way better. I've been handwashing in my camp-style washer about twice a day. I'm still working out the kinks on using soap, but so far it looks like poop diapers need to agitate immediately then soak in detergent and baking soda. I haven't timed the soaking. I just set them in the bucket to soak and go about my day. After an hour or two, I may have another diaper to toss in, too. Then I do my usual, agitate 1 minute and drain. Add hot water and soap, then agitate 5-10 minutes and drain. Then one or two more rinse cycles. I twist the wet flats to get out the excess moisture then hang in the sun, if I can, or in the laundry room if I have to. Within 3 hours they're dry, sometimes faster if the wind and sun are just right.
Yesterday I had to get inventive since I had my regular clothes laundry drying in the beautiful day, too. They still dry, though it would be faster if they were hanging on the line. Luckily, I have more than enough flats and covers clean and available.
Day 2: How did I prepare?
Day 3: Dealing with Overnights
Day 5: What's working? What's not?
Day 6: Babysitter/Outings
Day 7: What did I learn?
We're on to the fourth day of the challenge. It's actually become just a touch boring. Using flats is very simple. It's very much like using prefolds, but in some ways it's way better. I've been handwashing in my camp-style washer about twice a day. I'm still working out the kinks on using soap, but so far it looks like poop diapers need to agitate immediately then soak in detergent and baking soda. I haven't timed the soaking. I just set them in the bucket to soak and go about my day. After an hour or two, I may have another diaper to toss in, too. Then I do my usual, agitate 1 minute and drain. Add hot water and soap, then agitate 5-10 minutes and drain. Then one or two more rinse cycles. I twist the wet flats to get out the excess moisture then hang in the sun, if I can, or in the laundry room if I have to. Within 3 hours they're dry, sometimes faster if the wind and sun are just right.
Yesterday I had to get inventive since I had my regular clothes laundry drying in the beautiful day, too. They still dry, though it would be faster if they were hanging on the line. Luckily, I have more than enough flats and covers clean and available.
And, bonus, I got my hubby to help out with washing when I was out one day. :D
A special note I will add is that I decided to handwash the AIOs and microfiber inserts that were stinking up my diaper pail and it was a LOT of work. They smelled awful and I think it's the microfiber. I washed them many times and when I thought I finally got them clean, I decided to just toss them in the dryer since they have so many extra layers and we've had some humidity. When they came out, they STILL smelled. That's a real puzzler for me!
Tune in tomorrow to find out what's working for me and what's not.
Day 1: Why I took the ChallengeDay 2: How did I prepare?
Day 3: Dealing with Overnights
Day 5: What's working? What's not?
Day 6: Babysitter/Outings
Day 7: What did I learn?
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