Just starting CD...how do I start washing?

[mamathellama]

We are just trying out cloth diapering. So far we're trying out a couple prefolds, a couple fitteds and 1 cover! My question is, how do I wash them since I obviously don't have enough for a full load of diapers. My daughter only poops every couple days so it's usually just pee (and I try to time the cloth diapers so it's only pee at this point, since we're still getting the hang of things, just makes it easier). So right now I'm just putting it in with the rest of the wash. I make my own laundry soap (soap flakes + borax + washing soda). I had read somewhere that "soap" as opposed to "detergent" was not good for cloth diapers, can anyone tell me if it really makes a difference and how would you launder if you only have a few diapers?
thanks!

[sunnymw]

IIRC the problem with soap is it doesn't rinse out all the way and can build up on your diaper, causing leaking & stinkies.

I use Publix or 7th Gen Free & Clear (or All F&C) and I only use half the "recommended" amount. I also don't have a full load--I wash daily and it's 1/4 to 1/2 of a load. Anyway, I set the water level to half full, do a hot wash with detergent, cold rinse with nothing, and a 2nd cold rinse with vinegar to soften the dipes & keep the static down. Then I dry on hot (no dryer sheet, obviously--dryer balls are OK). I wash all kinds of diapers (except wool covers) together.

HTH!

[Michigan Mama]

Congrats on getting started with cloth! It seems intimidating at first, but once you get into a routine, it's really awesome!

I agree with PP that I would wash diapers alone (you can throw in cloth wipes when you try them, changing pad covers, etc) - just lower the water level a little. I do like to have extra water compared to a normal clothes load. It helps make sure everything gets really clean. My normal routine is cold rinse (although that's mostly for poop, so if you don't have any, you can probably skip it), hot wash with 1 T Charlies, then one extra hot rinse.

There are some mainstream detergents on this list that are good for cloth, and they also have a recipe for making your own, down at the bottom, that is cloth friendly: http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

Good luck!