Yes I wash my Diapers by hand sometimes, for fun... yes I said "for fun ! "

Yes I wash my diapers by hand, for fun... yes I said "for fun ! "

Every year in he merry merry month of May a lot of people in the diapering community participate in a flats and hand washing challenge. For those who don’t know flat diapers are what most people picture when the words "Cloth diaper" are uttered in conversation, a large square of fabric usually 30''x30'' attached with a pin or snappi. Mine are  flour sack towels from Walmart. I frequently use then at home with out a cover (with an insert folded in for extra absorption.) and inside a cover to get a trimmer diaper when running errands. The challenge puts people to washing for a week. I like to do this every week at least once a week to demonstrate that it is a real option for people who dont have a washer. 
 I have said before  I have a Breathing washer I won in a giveaway. It is a really cool amazing thing! It looks like a plunger and a salad spinner got together and had a baby! I got my husband to buy a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot a few weeks ago and oh boy what fun it is to wash my diapers with this thing! But If you don’t have one and cant buy one a sink plunger from the dollar store is just as effective (drill a few holes in it if you can) A broom or mop may also work.

here is the washer and bucket and my feet, I have fun socks! 

THE WAY I "HAND" WASH Diapers.... flats and microfiber inserts, wipes and covers are best. This works for pockets and aio/ai2 as well as hemp or baby clothes too.

Instructions for 5 gallon bucket washing 3-8 items, depending on size. Items should move freely when agitated in 4 gallons of water.

1- Remove any solid waste (my baby is EBF so this step isnt necessary to me yet 

2- Rinse with cold water either with a toilet sprayer or a shower or sink sprayer. NOTE if you spray in sinks or shower stalls bleach the area after to avoid bacterial contamination. 

*Alternately if you cant spray or rinse, soak in cold water for about an hour agitate for 3-5 mins drain refill with cold and repeat agitation. 

3- Fill bucket with 3-4 gallons very very hot water and 1-2 TBS Cd safe detergent , if hot water isnt available do this twice with cold water and add 1 tbs of bleach to the second "cycle"  in place of the detergent and add items to bucket after its full

AGITATE ITEMS FOR 15-30 mins

4- Rinse, either in running water until clear or by filling with 1-2 gallons of cold and agitating for 5 mins until no bubbles are present and the water remains clear after agitation 

NOTE * your diapers may appear to be more stained after a "hand" wash they are still CLEAN! if you are using enough detergent and water and agitating them until they smell Clean and the water rinses clear. BABY POOP STAINS, even in an electric washer my items come out with stains occasionally

5 Ring as much water from the items as possible being careful not to stretch elastic on covers or pockets too much, I find rolling them in a towel and applying pressure after a good squeeze helps. 

6- FINAL STEP. Hang to Dry in a sunny area, any stains should disappear with in an hour. 

TA DA Just like in the days of old you have washed your diapers, Plus I feel this is good exercise! 

I sometimes just fill the bucket with water and detergent and keep baby in flats, rinsing as he uses them then adding them to the bucket and agitating as I walk through the room. this allows me to do whatever else needs to be done and facilitates had washing in addition. 

Call me crazy but its super duper convenient and fun!