Diaper washing with homemade Detergent

[ExuberantDaffodil]

I make all my laundry detergent, both powdered and gel, and have been wondering if my detergent will be good for washing cloth diapers when the babe arrives. I tried several google searches and got mixed answers.

Most of the time I use 1/3-1/2 of a bar of grated fels naptha, a cup of borax, and a cup of washing soda. Sometimes in my powder version I put in about 1/4 cup of oxyclean, but not always.

I've seen a couple of time where people have mentioned fels naptha causing a buildup on diapers, but that using a castille soap won't do this. Can anyone back that up? I looked at some Dr. Bronner's pure castille solid soaps and they are made mostly of oils and wondered how well it might work in place of the fels naptha. I was thinking either the pure castille baby soap or maybe even the tea tree oil version, as I used to like putting tea tree oil in with my diaper laundry.

Any comments or suggestion on this?

[poppan]

I was going to try Fels Naptha but in researching it found it has ingredients that may be slightly toxic. Possibly petrochemical although others are saying they are "just" turpentine-based. Anyway thought you might be interested in the link:
http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=61

[thefreckledmama]

If you have even slightly hard water, the fels naptha will cause build up on your diapers (which will cause them to absorb less or not at all). I also noticed more issues with irritation on my LO's bottom when using the fels naptha.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

I think my water is a tad hard.

Had anyone tried castile soaps on diapers?

I'd like to continue making my own detergent, but if I need to break down and buy something special for the diapers, I suppose I can do that. I was just hoping not to.

[Sarahstw]

I have not tried it but it is my understanding that any kind of soap (including castille) will cause build up and repelling issues. You kinda have to stick to detergents.

[ryan'smom]

I forget where I found the recipe, but one I found for CD's is this:

1c borax
1c washing soda
1c oxyclean free or oxyclean baby

2 tbsp per load

I have used this recipe with success. However, I just use prefolds and wraps. No experience with pockets, AIO's, etc.

Hope that helps!

Laura