Flats & Handwashing Challenge Day 2 - my stash & cost

Day 2:  My flats stash and how much do these things cost. ... 

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Today is the 2nd day of the 4th annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  During the challenge, moms all over the country sign up to use flat cloth diapers AND hand wash them.  The purpose of the challenge is to raise awareness and spread the word that cloth diapers are a viable option for families struggling to afford clean diapers for their babies, even for those who may not have access to a washer and dryer. 

So how many flats do you need to diaper your baby and how much do they cost? 

Flats

How many you need depends largely on the age of your baby  - Last year, my little man was 3 months old for the challenge and he used 12 flats a day (10 during the day and 2 overnight) so a stash of about 24 would have been ideal. (12 to use, while the other 12 were washing/drying) This year, at 15 months, he is using about 7 flats a day including 2 overnight.  I could make it by with a dozen. I am using slightly different flats this year than last - mostly the slightly thicker, more absorbent flannel blankets.  If I could come up with any excuse to have more diapers, I would try t-shirt flats - they seem like they would be soft, free, and absorbent. 

 Since I've been using flats for 3 years and 2 babies,   I have way more than one would need to start out. 


9 - large rectangular flour sac towels from sam's club - $9
12 - square flour sac towels, target $12 (3 4-packs for $3.99)
8 - Ikea fluffy, square burp cloths $12 (2 for 2.99)
11 - old flannel receiving blankets $0 (re-purposed baby gifts)

So, my LARGE stash of flats, which also double as burp cloths and cleaning rags cost a grand total of $33

All the covers...

 To use flats, it is also helpful (but not 100% necessary) to have some covers - how many covers you need also depends on the age of your baby and on what type of covers you are using.  Pictured left is my entire stash of way-too-many covers.  (and its not actually my entire stash, it is the covers that are not girly) Pictured below are the covers I'm using for the challenge.  I could  get by with 3-4 covers.  But I am using 7 plus one larger fleece cover for overnight (not pictured).  Below we have 
2 thirsties duo size 2 - retail cost about $28 (I paid $22)
1 grovia shell - retail about $16 (i paid $8)
3 blueberries coveralls, 2nds (total about $30) 
1 up-cycled wool cover (made from a sweater, $0) 

covers i am currently using

Bummis polar fleece cover - (clearance, ~$10)


Bringing my cover total to about $70


You can find covers cheaper, Econobum covers run for about $6-7, and you can find covers that are more expensive.  Shopping sales, 2nds sales and silent auctions is why I have so many covers (and because they are cute and I can't stop buying them...) 

Snappis and Boingos

Another not 100% in my stash - Snappis and Boingos - Boingos run about $5 a pair, (I'm only using 1 pair now, so i will only count 1. )
I got these snappis for $4 recently.

Grand total.  $112

Diapers for the diapered life of my baby and then some.  For $112.