Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Playing Favorites {2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge}

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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!



{Be sure to read posts 1245, and 6 to see how the rest of the challenge went!}

In the short time I've been using flats, I've definitely settled on some favorite folds. I thought for sure the origami fold would be my #1, but it was almost a complete fail for me. I could never get the fit right on N. So then I moved onto the kite fold, which worked really well. But then I started playing around with it and modifying the fold until what I was really using was more like the neat fold. It works well on my little girl.

The exceptions are:

1. I have a couple receiving blankets that are rectangular. I prefer using the diaperbag fold with these, but I feel like I can't get the fit snug enough on N's thighs.

and 2. For bedtime and naps, I will sometimes use a larger neat fold for more coverage. And at night I pad fold a flour sack towel to tuck into the diaper cover for extra absorbency.


in a larger neat fold with a fleece liner, getting ready for a nap
regular bedtime flats setup: LuSa Booty Balm, microfleece liner, modified neat folded receiving blanket, Dritz locking head pins, pad folded flour sack towel, Thirsties Duo Wrap size 2
pinned and trying to avoid bed...
bedtime diaper complete, and... hiding
the cuteness
A lot of people choose to use the pad fold and simply lay it inside a cover. It's simple and you never have to worry about sticking yourself with pins, but I'm not really the biggest fan of just laying inserts in covers. Okay, sometimes I am, but generally speaking, I'm not. N is just too uncooperative at diaper changes to be able to keep the inserts where I want them while trying to get a cover on. I like having that flats completely secured so I know she's set. What I am thinking I will probably do once this challenge is over, though, is add to my flats stash and completely replace all the microfiber inserts for my pocket diapers. I love how clean flats can get and definitely do not miss that weird microfiber smell that develops. 

2 comments:

  1. I like the pad fold method as well!!

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  2. I totally get what you are saying about the microfiber! I've been debating replacing mine with flats as well if just to get rid of that slightly wonky smell!!! And flats are just so versitile, the only thing you can do with a microfiber insert is stuff it...

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