Flats & Handwashing Challenge: Day 2

dirty diapers soaking in the tub
I go to get my camera and the kid decides they need a couple toys

Today was washing day! I went by the basic instructions on Zany Zebra about how to wash in the bathtub.

• Step 1: Plug the sink or tub drain and add about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of detergent.
• Step 2: Add water as hot as you can stand, being sure to leave room for the cloth diapers to move freely. I added water until it just got over the top of the diapers. 
• Step 3: Add the diapers and swish until they're all wet and soapy. At this point you could let them soak if you wish. I let them soak for probably 30-45 minutes.
• Step 4: Knead the diapers with your hands like you're kneading bread for several minutes (rubber gloves makes this less icky). 
• Step 5: Unplug the sink or tub and let the water drain out.
• Step 6: Rinse the diapers under hot or warm running water until the water is clear. This seems a little wasteful but it does not take long for the detergent to rinse out since the diapers are so thin.
• Step 7: Wring out your diapers and place in the dryer or hang to dry. Wring, wring, wring. Then wring some more.

Washing diapers this way was really not that bad at all. The biggest tip I have is to make sure that you get as much poop of the diapers as possible before doing this. If the poop doesn't just plop off when dunked, you can either scrape with a knife (set aside for this purpose) or "dunk and swish" in the toilet. A diaper sprayer also makes this job easy, but is not allowed per the rules since it is costly. Of course, you can always use the detachable shower head if you have one. The shower in the kid's bathroom just so happens to be right next to 
the toilet so this is what I do.