Wednesday, May 23, 2012

DAY 3 - DDL Flats & Handwashing Challenge - My Favorite Folds

Orange Diaper Company Bamboo Square (Size: Toddler)
Orange Diaper Company Bamboo Flat (Toddler)
Well it's Day 3 of the Dirty Diaper Laundry Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge.  Did you all think I would make it this long?  I know my husband didn't think so... or at least he hoped I wouldn't.  For those of you that have not been following my recent journey, I'm currently taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all. You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!

Well for the past couple of days ... and a few prep weeks before the challenge started I've been testing out some of the various flat diaper folds.  Let me tell you, there are a lot of folding options out there and I haven't tried them all, but I can bet there's a fold out there for everyone.  Personally I like the basic easy folds.  My reason for this?  Well, Linc is going through quite the cranky stage and taking time to do crazy folds is just not an option right now.  If I did have the time though I'd be all about doing crazy folds. I actually find folding quite relaxing and fun. I love the perfect order and the crisp lines. I've even been trying to come up with my own folds but have yet to perfect one. That being said, I've been sticking to the basic folds. I've listed them below in the order that I use them the most.

My Favorite Flat Folds:

The Padfold
The padfold is the easiest of all the folds and this is why I use it the most.  As soon as the flats come off the clothes line I fold them all into the padfold so that they are ready to lay into a diaper cover.  I also get all the layers right where I need them (in the pee zone).  Because Linc rarely poops (about twice a week) I don't have to worry about messes getting all over the cover.


The Origami Fold
The origami fold is my second favorite fold.  I do it just about as much as I do the padfold.  I love that I can get lots of layers in the pee zone, yet also get a full booty fit so that if Linc does decide to poo, it will be contained.  I also love the art of folding and putting on the origami fold.  It feels like true flat folding to me.  I will say though that if your little one is cranky then they might not wait for you to put on one of these more complicated folds.  It's also very difficult to do this on a changing table.  It can be done, but I usually assemble it on the floor and then put it on him on the table.


The Kite Fold
I've only recently started using this fold, but it's growing on me pretty quick.  I don't get quite as many layers in the pee zone as the origami fold, but I can definitely see how it will fit longer than the origami fold will since I can adjust the rise a lot higher.  Of course Linc is pretty chunky around the waist and legs though so if he keeps getting bigger this fold might not work anymore either.  I do a slightly modified version of the original kite fold so I get another layer in the pee zone.


The Triangle Fold
This fold is great for my Orange Diaper Company Infant Flat.  The flat is really too small to do any of the other folds except the padfold.  So if I want a full booty fold then I do the Triangle Fold.  It doesn't give many layers in the pee zone, but since the Orange Diaper Company Bamboo Flats are so thick it doesn't matter.  This fold is also extremely easy to do so I can do it on the changing table and put it on in seconds.


The Airplane Fold
This is the newest fold I've been using but I find it very comparable to the Kite Fold. If you've ever made paper airplanes before then you can easily do this fold.  I love how adjustable this fold is.  It's easy to adjust both the rise of this diaper as well as the wing span.  You also get a tremendous amount of absorbency up in the front so it's a great fold for boys.


DAY 3 NOTES:
- Last night's diaper was a success.  I used a receiving blanket origami folded with an Ikea kitchen towel padfolded in. No leaks at all.  For this fold I used a Thirsties Duo Wrap on top.  I'm really excited because this fold wasn't that bulky at all and it costs way less than my other night diapering options.
- My girls have started complaining that the nursery stinks.  I've been just placing the dirty flats (all pee) in my wash pail in there, but now I'm putting the lid (with a hole in the top) on the bucket to keep away some of the stink.  Hopefully this will solve the stink issue.
- I tried out several different diaper folds yesterday and I had a lot of fun!  If I get some time I'm going to test out a few more folds today.
- I'm so thankful I live in California.  The weather here is perfect for drying diapers outside!  On the other hand I was quite freaked out when I went to fold up a washcloth and saw a bee sitting on it.  Ack!!!!
- I've noticed that the Hemp Babies flats do not keep their square shape.  They also get quite small so I find that they only way that you can use these is to padfold them.  



4 comments:

  1. He poops twice a week?!!!

    My son poops 3 times a day...and is 2 1/2.

    Haha!

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  2. lmbo !! love it! chana i love your sense of humor. i need to get an orange diaper com. flat those look awesome

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    1. They are awesome! They are sooooo soft and squishy. I'll admit though... they aren't as soft an squishy when dried on the line. Not crunchy, but not squishy either. Totally get the toddler size if you want to use a regular fold. If you're just going to padfold then get an infant size.

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  3. Bwahhahaa! Oh my gosh that is to funny!!

    ReplyDelete

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