HE Front Loader and BG a bad idea?

[kdegroo]

Hi Mamas,

We just bought a new (old) house and have to buy a new washer and dryer. In our current house we'd been using (DD is now out of dipes, but we have a little one on the way) bum genius one size pockets exclusively, that I washed in the 35 year old top loader (used lots of water and lots of aggitation, so they got pretty clean

On one hand, I'm excited to the excuse to buy a high efficiency front loader, but on the other, if it won't work for the dipes it isn't really worth it. I'm also considering switching to or at least adding some prefolds and/or cotton fitted this time, which I'm guessing would fair better in the HE washer.

So, to summarize, I guess my two questions are:
-those of you who use BG or similar dipes, is using a HE asking for a headache?

-Do cotton dipes work better with HE washers?

Thanks in advance, everyone!
Kate

[Gabes Mommy]

Good question! We're thinking about a new washer as well. Any thoughts mamas?

[omelette]

Our old house had a front loader and I had no problem keeping the diapers clean. At the time I was using HH, FB, BGs with microfibre and hemp inserts.
I did occasionally have to boil the inserts and then run them through a rinse cycle 2-4 times to deal with build up but otherwise all was good.
My regular wash routine was cold rinse, warm or hot wash with an extra rinse at the end. I used minimal soap and added 10 drops of teatree oil to the wash 1-3 times/month.
We're in a different house now and we now have a top loader which I don't love but it's good to hear it works well for washing diapers b/c we've got another one on the way too.

[tmwmommy]

We have a front loader and it works fine with my BG. I have mostly organic AIOs but I haven't had any problems with my 3.0s either. I think that it helps keep the diapers from wear and tear since it is so gentle on laundry.

[ssj77]

I find the key to microfiber and HE front loaders is to put a kettle full of boiling water in the extra rinse cycle. Much of the reason why diapers get stinky with HE front loaders is the lack of water. So if you add some extra during the rinse, it really ensures that they get nice and clean. I'd still go for the front loader - they really do save so much water.

HTH,
Sultana

[kdegroo]

Those of you with HE front loaders, do your machines have a "sanitary cycle"? I know that there is no way in heck I'm adding boiling water to the rinse (though it is a good idea). Just hoping a less expensive machine will work well, but afraid we'll have to dole out more $ for one with the sanitary option.

Thanks in advance!

[nia82]

We have a front loader, LG steam washer with sanitary cycle. No problems here nor was I aware that front loaders had issues? I have never owned anything else.
I use the sanitary cycle on the diapers. It is really hot. When you add steam, it removes even more bacteria etc from the dipes.

[Mammajamma]

Originally Posted by kdegroo

Those of you with HE front loaders, do your machines have a "sanitary cycle"? I know that there is no way in heck I'm adding boiling water to the rinse (though it is a good idea). Just hoping a less expensive machine will work well, but afraid we'll have to dole out more $ for one with the sanitary option.

Thanks in advance!

I have an Lg Tromm HE front loader and I : it...I have a baby on the way and plan to use cloth dipes for it~ specifically bum genius- but have not as of yet. It does have a sanitary cycle and I have never had any problems with it. I have not done dipes but I have washed work clothes soaked in cow manure- does that count? They came clean in one wash! and they smelled nice as well! If you are concerned about having to add water there is a button that says " Extra rinse cycle" as well as one that says " add water " or some such thing. It is nice also because you can customize your washes so when wanting to wash a load of dipes you can have it preset to perform specifically for that load.

[SunnyB1978]

I have a Fridgidair front loader washer. The baby isn't here yet, so I don't know about washing diapers in it yet. With my first child, I had a top loader.

However, if I bought another washer again, I would look into the high efficiency top loaders. The front loaders all have the issue of mildew growing in the seal, even if you keep the door open. Also, I find it difficult to pull the clothes out without dumping a few items on the floor in the process. It does seem to get my clothes cleaner, though.

[kirstenb]

If I had to buy a new washer today I would get a top loader. I don't like washing diapers in my FL- it's a lot more work to get them clean and I don't think they get as clean as they do in a TL. I don't have a sanitary cycle.

[Carhootel]

I use a mix of diapers - BG included. They are our nighttime diaper so I have quite a few. We use a HE FL on the stain cycle with an extra rinse and the wash temp at 'sanitize'. Stain cycle automatically adds a pre-soak. We've never had a problem with our BG or any other diaper.

[ledzepplon]

I have a Kenmore HE front loader and use BG. I've never had a problem, ever. If things are really poopy yucky I do a prewash, I always use the "Skin Care" rinse cycle, and I only rarely do the sanitary cycle. I find that the normal heavy wash with the extra rinse is sufficient. I hang dry the diapers and either hang or throw the inserts in the dryer.