Why is it that...

[natural_mama89]

In the old days they did not have to strip cloth diapers?
Do you think it is because they used bleach?
I am getting so sick of needing to strip my dipes. I think we have hard water, but am not sure.
Surprisingly, it does seem to help when I hang the dipes on the line rather than drying in the dryer. Is this my imagination?

[fruitfulmomma]

How old is your child and why are you stripping? The stink? Or are they not absorbing?

I was actually mulling over a theory in my head last night but I'd like to hear your answer first.

[veedeepee]

In the old days everyone used cotton diapers (I think mostly flats). I think all the stripping people do is b/c they're using diapers made of synthetic materials. I've never had to strip my prefolds...

[Alohamelly]

I don't remember anything about stripping when I was cloth diapering 12 years ago. I never had any problems with smells or staining. My routine was very simple. It seems like things are a lot more complicated with so many options these days.

[Juliacat]

My grandmother used flats, and she boiled them regularly, which is one way of stripping them. Flats almost never cause laundry problems anyway.

[lifeguard]

I do think they occassionally did need to stripping. My Mom was recently telling me about how at times my urine was very ammoniaish & would stink. She didn't realize at the time that it could be anything but a change in my urine. When I was later telling her about some of the stripping problems people have she realized that was probably what was happening.

Plus what the pp said. They also were less concerned about destroying the diapers with bleach & hot water & such. Flats/ prefolds are so much easier washing wise.

[Ifluffedthree]

More natural fibers, mostly cotton - no synthetics

mostly flats or prefolds less construction and easier to clean in the wash.

less fillers and stuff in the detergents. I think detergents have changed a lot over the last 19 years since I started diapering my first.

[funkymamajoy]

Originally Posted by natural_mama89

In the old days they did not have to strip cloth diapers?
Do you think it is because they used bleach?

Because they used less detergent that had less additives. Plus, flats and prefolds rinse cleaner.

[Jane]

My mother used prefolds and plastic pants exclusively. She toilet dunked and swished and wrang out every diaper. Then used a wet pail. And a cup of bleach in every load. And less effective '70's detergents and less energy effecient (more water) '60's washers. Way different than modern prefold diapering.

[Galatea]

Cotton.

Fewer layers.

A lot more water in the washers.

Simpler detergents.

Bleach.

Boiling.

[natural_mama89]

Well, I have recently gotten rid of all my non-natural fibers except some covers and pocket shells. I got rid of all microfiber because I really thing this was a big issue. Still, though my cotton diapers smell a little. I HAVE noticed that somehow the smell is not as bad if I line-dry the diapers though. I don't know why it helps, but it seems to. I think we may have hard water. No matter what I do I seem to have to boil the dipes every month or so. They irritate DD's bum. If it was just the smell I think I could live with it, but it sucks that it is making her get kind of rashy. I use a front loader with only like a teaspoon of detergent (planet) and do an extra rinse. I do think that regular washers work better for CD's than HE ones, unfortunately.

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by Galatea

Cotton.

Fewer layers.

A lot more water in the washers.

Simpler detergents.

Bleach.

Boiling.

ITA. I never stripped my diapers 6 years ago. Natural fibers + a simple routine

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by natural_mama89

. I do think that regular washers work better for CD's than HE ones, unfortunately.

The front loading HE's yes. I have a top loading HE and it is a great machine. I can override and add more water when needed.
Thank You Fisher and Paykel.

[cristeen]

My mom had a special wash routine for my diapers (prefolds) - that included a vinegar rinse and line drying... it was the only way I didn't get a rash. So while some of the issues have definitely been of our own making, some of them were there all along.

[Vaske]

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight are a natural disinfectant.

[mommajb]

Originally Posted by Galatea

Cotton.

Fewer layers.

A lot more water in the washers.

Simpler detergents.

Bleach.

Boiling.

and ironing. It isn't the wrinkles that bothered people; the high heat is a disinfectant killing the bacteria that contribute to the stink.

FYI, it will also help with yeast/thrush still today.

Line drying in the sun and no (hidden) fabric softeners also help reduce the need for stripping.

[DevaMajka]

(my total guesses)

They didn't have pockets, so no fleece to have repelling issues with.

They weren't afraid to use too much detergent, so they always used plenty.

The detergent probably had fewer additives, and rinsed out better.

[gillibean]

For the most part I used just fitteds around the house (rarely a cover) and I never had to strip. Then someone gave me some pockets and I couldn't believe the smell. I'm banking on the problem being synthetic fibres.