Since 2011, Kim Rosas, the blogger behind Dirty Diaper Laundry has coordinated and hosted the Flats and Handwashing Challenge. Originally, she created the Challenge as a series of blog posts to spread awareness that using cloth diapers does not have to break the bank. Discouraged by a news report she saw that depicted the high costs of diapering a child with disposable diapers, Kim wanted to prove that any family can use cloth diapers economically and still have the funds for their other every day needs. Kim writes on her Dirty Diaper Laundry blog,
"A quote from the LA Times: ”Cloth diapers are often not an option because they require frequent and expensive trips to the laundromat.” Ask the thousands of families making cloth diapers work who are considered “low-income” before making such statements. It can work, with a washer and without!"Now, she's into the fourth Flats Challenge and it has turned into so much more. Each year participants collect and send data back to Dirty Diaper Laundry with tutorials and other information on how to use flat diapers, handwash diapers and airdry diaper efficiently. The wealth of knowledge that's accumulated over the last three Challenges is amazing. Much of the information Kim has received has been turned into free downloadable pamphlets to aid new cloth diaper users and those considering using cloth diapers. So why should you participate in the Challenge? I had to ask Kim why it would be beneficial for a person, who isn't a blogger, to join in the cause. Kim responds,This year, the same as in years' past, bloggers from around the continent are participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge. They're blogging about their experiences, what they've learned, the victories and the failures of their week with no washer and dryer using anything simple as a cloth diaper. This year Kim is also looking raise money to help the non-profit organization Giving Diapers, Giving Hope; a charity that lends cloth diapers to low-income families.
"At the heart of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge is the message that anyone can cloth diaper under any circumstance. Participation teaches you more than just how to handwash, it shows you how affordable diapering can be and makes you appreciate the things you may already have. Washing machines look really miraculous after handwashing for a week."If you're interested in participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge sign up on the Dirty Diaper Laundry blog by clicking here. There you'll find a registration form, helpful videos about using flats and prefolds, making your own camp style bucket washer and of course, the rules for participation. And don't forget...we have some great prefolds and covers for you to use!
Hand washing in theory sounds good but when I do diapers I do a load after my son goes to be so all the diapers get washed, I just put them in the wash and forget about them, hand washing would be the last thing that I would want to take time to do at night.
I like the idea and purpose of the challenge. We have our first on the way and are planning to use prefolds and flats with covers to save money. We have communal washing facilities that are a bit expensive to we are considering handwashing the diapers for the first month or two until we move to somewhere with our own washer and dryer.
Not quite sure I’m brave enough to try this. It’s a good thing to think about knowing though
I just finished the challenge and I’ve got to say, it was probably the single best experience of my cloth diapering career. Yes it was gross at times and hard work, but it’s great knowing that if anything happens where I lose my washer and dryer I can still cloth diaper.
I love this challenge. It is actually because of this challenge a few years back that I found out how much I loved flats. I’d so take the challenge if I had enough flats to diaper both my babes but purchasing more would be kinda against the point… if u have them i highly recommend the challenge tho!! It will change your perspective.
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