We happened across a really interesting challenge proposed by the author of the really cool blog Dirty Diaper Laundry. It’s the “Flats Challenge” and it was brought about to counter the concept that if you don’t have a washer in your house, you can’t cloth diaper your baby. Dirty Diaper Laundry suggests that with so many people feeling the financial pinch in America, cloth diapering by the masses needs to be reexamined.
One of the biggest counters to cloth diapering is the whole, “Well, I would, but I don’t have access to a washer and dryer.” Which, granted… I don’t expect anyone to hand wash their diapers. I really don’t. Would I though? Sure.
And apparently thousands of other people would too.
When the author of this blog challenged us all to demonstrate how a low-income family, without access to start up costs of a fancy modern diapering system, without access to a washer and dryer, with a little bit of gumption can diaper their babies endlessly, for the price of a couple packs of flats. Freeing up the cost of disposable diapers means more money to pay off bills, choose healthy foods, and get ahead. One baby in disposable diapers will cost over $2500. Â You can buy a functional used car these days for $2500, and yet many low income people find that they can’t get a better job because they don’t have a running car, and yet they throw their money out with each diaper change.
Two packs of flats will cost you way under forty dollars. Especially if you get a deal. Speaking of deals:
To show their support of the “Flats Challenge” presented by Dirty Diaper Laundry, Everything Birth is offering 10% off of a six pack of Swaddlebees flat diapers. All you have to do is put the coupon code: FLATS into the coupon code box at checkout.
Hundreds of parents have taken the author of Dirty Diaper Laundry up on her challenge and agreed to use only flats for an entire week and to disregard the washing machine by washing their diapers by hand. I’m all for it.
I can see the tea tree oil flying off the shelves already, which is why I want to remind you to consider, GSE, clove oil, thyme oil or oregano oil instead of tea tree oil to sanitize your diapers if you are going to be washing by hand. Click through to this previous blog to be reminded of why I say this.
We fully support Dirty Diaper Laundry and all of you in this challenge, and are again reminded that we are surrounded by the best clients in the best industry there is.
Oh, and… Be on the lookout for a Swaddlebees flat diaper six pack Giveaway coming any day now from Everything Birth! 😉
How funny. I have never done research on TTO, but was raised by my grandparents who were “anti-doctor” people for the most part. We always had TTO, EVOO and other natural remedies (I only learned of the term “Crunchy” a couple weeks ago, but it fits me) in our house. Throughout high school, I used TTO on my acne. I swore by it and told others how well it works. Yes, I got funny looks. Now, I get funny looks when I tell them I smear breast milk on my family. 🙂
We’re a very low-income family and we just had our third baby, a third boy. Because we cannot afford the expense of disposables, we decided to try out cloth. We were given someone else’s wraps and prefolds. Another family gave us a gift certificate to a local breastfeeding help NPO which has a baby shop in it. I found these exact flats and decided to try them out, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Upon figuring out how to fold them I did the wash/dry cycle and then folded and used them for the first time. I loved the first diaper. My husband also loves them. In fact, they’re more reliable than the prefolds and we prefer these flats over them. We’re going back for another pack. As our baby gets older and needs more protection, we’ll just get bamboo/hemp inserts and hide them within the folding of these flats rather than doubling up so we don’t have the bulk, but still have great absorption. I love how breathable these are too!
NOT ALL FLATS ARE EQUAL! We also purchased Gerber flats and they’re junk. We’re taking them back. They’re thinner, I can tell they have less absorption and they’re much smaller. In addition, they’re not as soft…who wants something harsh on their bum?
We love these flats.
TTO is fantastic when you don’t over dilute it. I LOVE tea tree oil so much!
Thank you for your very thoughtful response. I agree about the Gerber flats being junk.
I actually know of a few people who don’t have a w/d and wash exclusively by hand. Two I know use what’s called a Wonder Wash, and it helps A LOT!
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/products/Wonderwash.html
And they don’t use flats, they use pockets. The MF inserts are super easy to wash in the Wonder Wash, and they air dry pretty quickly.
Thanks for the link!
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Is this where I admit I want to win the giveaway? I would love to try flats. I remember my mom whipping out a proper fold out of an old towel one day.
Cecily, under categories in the right column, you can click on the Weekly Giveaway link and the blog announcing the giveaway is file there. 🙂
great prize I would love to try flats!!