Unscented detergent for prefolds?

[Peachthief]

Hi everyone,

I just got my unbleached cotton prefolds and have been pre-washing them. We usually use All Free & Clear for our regular laundry but were told not to use it on the diapers as it contained fabric softeners that would interfere with the diapers' absorbency. I bought some regular Tide, which was one of the reccommended brands, but I'm finding that, not being used to it, I really don't like using a detergent with fragrance in it. Can anyone reccommend a fragrance free detergent that is safe for cloth diapers? Something inexpensive and generally available at the local grocery store would be a plus.

Thanks,
Sarah

[syd'smom]

Check out this link. There's also a section for HE machines. I like country save for my dipes.

[alegna]

I've always used purex free and clear with great results.

-Angela

[Ruthie's momma]

I have used both Allens Naturally and Country Save laundry detergents. Both are cloth diaper safe and fragrance free. I switched to Country Save because I wanted to use one detergent for all of our laundry (and it is more affordable). I buy Country Save from Amazon.com. Purchased by the case, through Subscribe and Save, the detergent equals roughly 8 cents per load! I have used half a scoop in both a conventional and HE washing machine, with great results.

[LionessMom]

i have been using purex free and clear for more than a year now. use 1/2 the reccomended amount.

my dipes always come out clean, but i was concerned b/c i had heard that you have to use the prefect detergent so i called Bummis hotline and called the other place i got diapers from. they both said the same thing. free and clear is fine. it has brighteners in it, but if yyou are washing them good it wont affect them. they also said any detergent can be fine unless you notice a problem. tide free and clear is ok too. the thing to look out for is reactions, smell, and absorbency. those are signs that it is not working for you. they told me always do a cold rinse, then a hot wash with the detergent. the hot water activates the detergent. which also makes it easier to rinse out. just uuse 1/2 the reccomended amount. then do a cold rinse. (i do 2 cold rinses. i use some White distilled vinegar in the 1st rinse to help get everything out.). i do not use the vinegar on the bummis wraps though. then i do an xtra spin to get more water out so they dry faster. i have only had one problem when i used too much detergent. DD got a rash. i fixed it by doing 3 hot washes alternated with 3 cold rinses, dried in between.

hth. i am not an expert, but this is what the diaper companies told me. and it iis working for me.