Day 6- Complete!

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!


 So, we are at the end of day 6! Wow, this challenge is flying by! It really is just part of my day now and I easily complete the tasks necessary for the challenge :) Today, I thought I would go through my routine as it has evolved over the 6 days, so this is where I am at now. There are some items I never did end up using (salad spinner, some of my flats, some covers), some items I barely use or feel are unnecessary (scrub brush, bucket with holes in it) and some that I use, but only because I spent the money on it (washboard).

 Well I am more of a "picture" person than a "word" person, so here are pictures from this morning's wash :) We had 2 poops in this load!

I flipped the diaper to spare you the details lol!! I start by using my swish stick to scrape the diapers

 I then use it to swish the diaper around

 Then I flush and swish a few times :) I hold the flat in the stream, and back a bit so it doesn't block the opening.

 Here is where I store my swish stick

 First rinse!

 I use my cell phone to time 3-4 minutes. I agitate the full 3-4 minutes.

 Talia wanted to watch :)

Here is the colour of the water after the rinse:

 Time for washing!! I use HOT water and a teaspoon of laundry tarts.

 I scrub the poopy flats on the washboard.

 Timing my hot wash agitation. Again, I use my phone, but this time for 5-6 minutes... agitating the entire time.

 Here is the colour of my water after the hot wash. It is usually a lot more clear but 2 poopy diapers plus poopy wipes/covers in this load!!

 I squeeze out extra water between all rinses and washes against the side of the tub.

 At this point a do a super fast, super vigorous cold rinse. I don't use a whole lot of water for this part, just enough water to cover the diapers.

 Water comes out clear after this rinse.

 Time for the final rinse!

 I do this rinse for 3-4 minutes.

 My plunger was brand new for the challenge... it is getting pretty worn out already!

 Final rinse water is nice and clear. I will now use this water to soak my future diapers as they wait to be washed.

 It just sits in my bathroom, next to the tub.

 To get the extra water out, I first do a gentle squeeze down the length of the flat.

 Then I bring the ends together, and do a bit harder of a squeeze.

 Then I bring those ends together and I twist it as tight as I can.

 All squeezed out and ready to hang!

 But first, I am going to roll the covers in a towel... it works wonderfully. They are practically dry after I do this!!!

 Now I stand on it

 and I stretch out my calves while I am at it!

 Time for hanging!! I hang everything inside and then I check the weather. If it is a good day for drying outside, I just carry the rack out.

 Just documenting the stains, to see how well the sun gets them out.

 How could I resist taking this photo in the process??

 All hung, now to check the weather..

 A great day to hang outside!

 I make sure to hang the stained flats on the top so I can give them better access to the sun.

 Playing peek-a-boo!!

 Wow, there are still some stains, but the sun did a very good job!!

 The wipes take FOREVER to dry!! I had to bring them back outside for the rest of the day.

Phew! All done until tomorrow!! :)

Check out how everyone else's day 6 went by clicking on the links below! Last day tomorrow!!!!