Those with front loaders....what detergent??

[Shy0717]

Ok so we finally decided to just go with the front loaders but now I'm trying to figure out which detergent to use. I know it has to be the HE kind but I also want something that's going to work well with the diapers. Thanks :-)

[MissE]

I have used the "Planet" HE Version. Worked great and is not overly expensive. You can get it at Krogers I think.

[berrymama]

Charlies, the liquid. Though I used the powder too and that also works fine.

[brietta]

I use Charlie's powder. It's 100% water soluble so you don't have to worry about it not rinsing well (which is the concern with standard detergents in an HE washer); you can use the full tablespoon with no problem.

The only thing I do is that I throw the detergent right into the washer, rather than using the dispenser, since I use the powder kind. I guess I figure that way I don't have to worry about any detergent "cake-ing" in the dispenser. Not a big deal. I just do the cold rinse, then when that's done I throw the detergent into the washer and put it on the Whitest Whites setting, which is a hot wash/cold rinse with a second cold rinse. Pretty simple.

[syd'smom]

We use Country Save.

[rightkindofme]

Nellie's.

[mommyhopeful3]

Planet he

[lilith1]

seventh Generation free and clear.
works great

[my2boysteacher]

We use biokleen. It works really well for us. I tried Tide once, at the advice of others. BIG mistake! I had to do about 6 rinses to get all the soap out. Whatever you choose, make sure it's low sudsing.

[Drummer's Wife]

Liquid Charlies. I use the full 1/8 of a cup because we have hard well water.

[mommam]

I've used Biokleen, Country Save, and Planet in my FL - the Biokleen builds up on pockets, so that was out; Country Save left my diapers stiff no matter how little or much I used, though they were clean; Planet worked best, but eventually the diapers (prefolds and pocket inserts) were not getting all the urine compounds out and when my toddler would pee in them the ammonia reaction was literally eye watering, especially at night.

By accident I found the best was baking soda, just baking soda with an occasional vinegar run after. I ran out of Planet and it took me a bit to get to the store and in the meantime I used a full Planet scoop of baking soda (had read someone did all their laundry with just baking soda so figured it would work for a time or two) in the extra hot wash (after a cold run as always). It worked so well for the week that I kept doing it and my diapers have never smelled so nice or felt so soft.

I did find the urine build up happening after two weeks so I ran a "quick wash" (short warm cycle on my FL) with maybe 1/3-1/2 cup vinegar after the bs wash listed above, and it totally took care of it. Now every other or so wash I do that just to keep it at bay and it has worked for months.

Hope you find what works for you! (PS still use the Planet for my other washes, especially darks, as it doesn't fade them like Biokleen does)

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Shy0717

I know it has to be the HE kind but I also want something that's going to work well with the diapers. Thanks :-)

It does NOT have to be the HE kind. This is a common misconception. You do have to adjust the amount you use, though, if you're using "regular" - since FL use considerably less. I have never once bought a special HE detergent in 5 years of owning an HE FL.

[bsideu4ever]

I use Charlies powder...it is all HE.

[russsk]

Charlies powder here. Works great for us.

[vforba]

I would be wary of Charlies as I think I read about it having adverse effect with cd's cause burns or maybe that was just the sportswash
I use soapnuts and they work really well.
I have been very happy with them
vicky

[vforba]

Also if you are having difficulty with buildup and odors try using RLR laundry treatment