Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day 2: No Rest for the Weary

This is Day 2 of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge!

The truth about how its going so far? Using flats is a bit trickier with a wiggly toddler than I remember. When I participated in the challenge last year, flats made up the majority of my stash, and I was cloth diapering a two year old and a baby. It didn’t seem particularly hard to “only” use flats since that’s what I was already used too. But this time? I own a lot of pockets now, and quite a few prefolds. So many, in fact, that I pretty much never touch my flats! Nehemiah has not been to happy about diaper changes taking extra time, but we are both surviving that part of things. We’ve not had any extra leaks, including night time, which is great!

I made it home earlier this afternoon from my out of town trip. I am exhausted. I only got about five hours of sleep last night, and had to stop more than once on my three hour drive just to keep from falling asleep and driving off the road. But… I have diapers to wash. That part is not fun!

Diapers soaking with some hot water, waiting for me to come finish up!

Each day of the challenge, the bloggers participating will not just be sharing our experiences, but also talking about some specific topics. Today we are talking about supplies. This is what I’m using:

• Covers (one of each): Thirsties, Bummis, TurtleBums, Sweet Pea, Zookies
• 24-36 flats: Most of my flats are flannel receiving blankets, but I do have a few birdseye flats. They are smaller than my others, so they are great for using as inserts.
• Snappi and pins: So far I am mostly pad folding, but I hope to try out some different folds later this week!
• Wetbags/pail liner: I’ve decided I’m going to use trash bags for pail liners, and plastic grocery bags as wet bags. I feel like both of my PUL versions of these will be really difficult to handwash. I also doubt they are an expense that most people cloth diapering on a tight budget would make. I know that I didn’t buy my first until I had been cloth diapering for several years!
• Rubbermaid container: I’m using this as my “washer”. I set it in my bath tub, and put just enough water to cover the diapers.
• Twine: I’ll be using this to string clotheslines outside. I already have several lines set up in my basement from last year!
• Detergent: Right now I’m using my All Free and Clear, because that’s what I had in the house, but I am planning on making some homemade detergent before the week is over.

What supplies are you finding essential to the Challenge? Be sure to head over to check out the other great posts below to find out what others are using!