Need Veteran Advice

[Smirkin]

Ok, I am promising myself that this is the last time I am going to post a question about caring for CDs. I am in month 3 of CDing and am LOVING it but I am getting a little carried away in my quest for the "right" way to care for them.

BUT there are a few things I want to get straight in my head:

-is there any reason not to wash prefolds together with synthetic dipes (AIOs, pockets, etc)? do you veterans wash them together?

-how do you tell if you are having build-up or absorbency issues so I know what to look for? Please spell it out for me even if it seems obvious to you.

Thanks! I'm sure some of you (...footprintsbaby... ) are getting sick of answering my questions all the time, but it is REALLY helping me out.

[MommaShark]

I washed prefolds with aios and covers no problem
You have absorbency issues when the diaper doesn't become saturated but runs to the legs and leaks or the cover gets wet but the diaper isn't soaking....
If you have a strong ammonia smell - try baking soda in the load
Diapers should smell clean not like ammonia after being washed

[mumkimum]

No real reason not to wash prefolds/other dipes together. I did wash them separately once for a period of time because with the detergent I was using, the synthetic diapers seemed to need extra rinsing, so I'd do two washes for them (one basically a double-extra rinse).

Build-up or absorbency issues showed up for us with rashes/extra irritation. If freshly washed diapers smell like they aren't clean that could mean there's some kind of build-up issue. If a tightly-fastened diaper seems to keep leaking, that could mean there's an absorbency problem

[Michigan Mama]

Don't worry. We like to answer questions...

I agree with PP's. I wash all together.

If things are stinky, you have rash, or aren't getting as much absorbancy as you expected...that's when you need to strip, and maybe change your washing routine.

When washing, I am for simple. Go basic, then adjust only if a problem arises!

[michelle123]

Unless it's a brand new diaper or insert that has natural oils on it (like hemp), I wash everything together.

As pp said, you'll know you have build up issues if you find you're all of the sudden getting leaks, rashes, stink, etc.

[brietta]

I wash everything together.

At one point early on in CD'ing, I had repelling. I wasn't certain that was the problem, but what I did to find out was to fill a nasal aspirator with some water and "mimic" a baby pee'ing on the diaper. The water didn't absorb quickly, but just sat like droplets for several seconds before soaking in. That was when I knew we had a problem!

Also, ammonia smells can be the first indicator of build-up.

Of course, HOW to deal with build-up is something I don't think any two moms completely agree on (we all have different factors: type of washer, type of diapers, type of water, kind of detergent, etc.).

Good luck, and don't feel badly asking lots of questions. I did it, too!