2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day 7: Reflections

Today is the final day of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. For the last 7 days I have participated along side nearly 500 other participants using only flat cloth diapers and washing them by hand. I did get off easier then most because we are not diapering full time at this point allowing me to hand wash far less then others, but it was still a learning experience. Honestly 7 days is not enough to fully test all theories especially with a part time routine like mine, but it was a week of experimentation. With experimentation, comes knowledge and growth neither of which ever have a defined ending point.

I did my last load of flats today and honestly I could have waited til tomorrow when I am "allowed" to use my washer but this isn't about waiting until things are most convenient. It is about doing what needs to be done with what is available now in this moment. So out of principle, I did one last load. This load with 7 flat was about half the size of my last load done in the bath tub, and my last load when used on my daughter over night they smelled like corn tortillas...uh what? Yeah corn! Why, oh why did my diapers smell distinctly corny? I have no idea! At least they didn't smell like the rear end of a bunny...I was afraid of that, but corn? So with the smaller load size and the...uhhh corn, I decided to change things up. I decided to wash them in the bathroom sink individually with castile soap after all, all those great grandmothers couldn't be wrong...right? Well, we will find out tomorrow morning.

If this is a week of experimenting, I have proved to myself and my husband, for that matter, that flats can be super user friendly. I have proved that you can use flats at night even with a toddler with no leaks, and I have proved that handwashing can fit in the crevices of a modern lifestyle if necessary. I have proved...we have all proved that there are options for families that need them, and I would say that is a pretty successful outcome.
*Update 5/28* my daughter's diaper this morning did not smell like corn or the rear end of a bunny the castile soap worked really well to clean the diapers all those great grandmother's were right!