If you're set on handwashing, then I would use flats. They dry quicker, easier to wring out and just generally less fuss for washing. Plus they are the cheapest diaper out there, especially if you recycle sweaters for soakers.
I would also suggest getting a plunger washer from Lehman's and a mop wringer. You could probably get the wringer off of freecycle.
Here's what I would do (I have hand washed dipes and other things by hand for extended periods of time and the results of my experiments lead me to think this is the most efficient way):
1) Establish a dry pail system. With this, you rinse every single diaper out (even the just wet ones) and hang it up to dry (preferably outside). When fully dry, toss in the pail till wash day. This makes it the least icky way to hand wash. There is no need to pre-rinse a large pile of dirty dipes and there is virtually no staining. And if you decide to machine wash a pile, it's cheaper.
2) Fill up tub about 1/4-1/3 full with hot water and an HE equivalent scoop of detergent (I used Country Save, though I've tried SUN as well without bad effects). If you wash dipes frequently (I usually washed once or twice a week), then it may be better to get a dish pail and wash in that to save on water. Dump in the dipes and let soak for at least 30 minutes, the longer you soak the easier it is to wash: BUT don't let the water get lukewarm.
3) Agitate. I found the Lehman's plunger to work best, but it does get rusty. You could potentially make your own agitator with a toilet plunger (brand new, obviously) that you put a few holes in. I count slowly to 100, you may need more or less. Afterwards, I would usually scrub the few that were stained on a washboard, but this is definitely not necessary.
4) Empty tub and wring out. This is very important. Don't attempt to rinse things that have not been well wrung, they will not rinse probably.
5) Refill tub with clean water, rinse dipes, wring out. Repeat at least once, maybe twice.
6) Hang to dry.
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That said, hand washing is a lot of work. I did it with a newborn and it is tough in an apartment. If I had been prepared with frozen meals, help from others, etc, it may have been easier: but I quickly started machine washing. There were times when I hand washed because of lack of funds and/or transportation, but I made room in the budget for the extra laundry costs. But, I'll probably go back to hand washing regularly at some point in time.
Good luck!
