Washing cloth pads

[AnditheBee]

So I've been using cloth pads for a long time, and haven't had any problems with washing until we moved to a new state and face the dreaded Hard Water Foe, and suddenly I have no idea how to wash anything anymore. A friend recommended baking soda in my wash as a softener, and that's helping with the rampant staining problem (my foldup stuffers were starting to look like the Shroud of Turin, but without the face... : ), but now the pads smell! I imagine I have buildup, but I've forgotten how to strip detergent out of cloth. I've done re-rinses galore, but it doesn't seem to help. Any ideas??

~Andi

[Ifluffedthree]

maybe a little vinegar soak
or a squeeze of dawn with the pads?

[aiccerb]

Imo, Dawn and lots of hot water rinses

[SuzyLee]

When people want to strip just one or 2 diapers they sometimes boil them instead of running the washer over and over again. You could do that with pads.

But yes, a bit of Dawn, then rinse with hot water until it runs clear.

[AnditheBee]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys! Will do the Dawn pronto.