All good things must come to an end! All week I have been participating in the #flatschallenge hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. It’s been quite the experience and for this final blog topic I’ll be sharing what I have learned. This challenge has been really fun and educational!

What I’ve Learned

1. I still love flat diapers

We didn’t fall out of love this week, my flats and I, despite all the hand washing and extra work involved. I enjoyed trying new folds and really developed a fondness for my IKEA muslin flats- they wash and dry so very easily. I do miss my other covers and diapers though, because I’m team #buyallthediapers yes I am weak, judge not.

2. I was surprised how much I enjoyed drying my diapers outdoors

Watching stains melt away in the sun was oddly satisfying. I actually sat on my patio and watched my diapers blow gently in the wind. And I also took a ridiculous amount of hip-looking laundry photos.

3. Flannel Receving Blankets are amazing

Why are they amazing? They are the most resilient and versatile things in my entire mothering arsenal. I’m using 13 year old receiving blankets in this challenge. They still look nearly new and have completely blasted the competition in my overnight diapering. I even cut some up into cloth wipes.

4. Daily Hand washing uses a ton of water

Like, a ton. Those buckets are 6 Gallon Buckets. and we prewash, wash, rinse and sometimes rinse again to get these flats clean. Each day! The average HE washing machine uses anywhere from 10 to 14 gallons depending on the cycle, according to google. That’s a huge difference since I only use 2 washing machine cycles, twice weekly with my regular routine. I switched to every second day hand washing halfway the challenge.

I heard that one mama was using grey water to hand wash, which is brilliant. I intend to use my kids’ bathwater tomorrow morning when I do our last round of challenge diapers.

5. Toddler’s love to help wash diapers

Who knew my nearly-three-year-old was such a domestic kind of guy? He loved working the plunger and wringing out the diapers into the tub. He also was the official “check if they’re dry guy” and brought them in from the patio for me to fold. They’re not even his diapers! They’re his baby brothers.

6. Pockets stuffed with flats are perfect for family and babysitters!

When my mom offered to babysit on day 4 of the challenge so that hubby and I could have a date, I thought we might have to cheat on our flats. I knew out overnight flat diaper would be really tricky for her. But then I thought of my pockets- and I padfolded two bamboo flats together inside a Funky Fluff stay dry pocket. It worked pretty well! I did have to change him at 4am though.

7. Flats take up less space in my diaper bag

I found myself with ample extra room in my diaper bag the two times we ventured out and about for the challenge. I just grabbed 3 flats and one cover and off I went for a whole day.

8. I hardly used any cloth wipes all week

Sounds weird, so let me explain. I use the origami fold mostly, which has really long “diaper wings” that make perfect cloth wipes. I just squirted my spray bottle onto babe’s bum and wiped with the wings of my flats! Done!

9. My bamboo flats take the longest to dry

Not surprising, since they are the most singularily absorbent in my collection. The more liquid something holds the longer it takes to dry. Regardless, they were still dry within a couple hours and had zero affect on my overall diaper drying experience.

10. Snappi’s really hurt when someone steps on them

And if that someone is your husband, you will never, ever, hear the end of it. True story.

#flatschallenge #bringingflatsback

Read about other bloggers experiences with the challenge