Front loader questions

[4JMJ]

New to CD, expecting our first batch of diapers to arrive next week, YAY!
We have a front loader and I have been reading up on tips here and some other places. I still have a couple questions:
1)I have read baking soda is helpful, is this added to the pre-rinse or regular wash?
2)Does anyone use Bac-Out in a front-loader? Is this added to the regular wash and how much should I use? I ordered the foaming bac-out spray to spray right on the poopy dipes, will that be enough?

I plan to use the Tide Free HE detergent (we use that for all of our wash anyway); cold pre-wash, hot wash, cold rinse with extra rinse; extra water option; sanitize cycle every few washes, does this sound right? Any different suggestions?
Thanks and Happy New Year!

[lifeguard]

I only use baking soda in my diaper pail to cut down on odour - so there is some baking soda already on the dipes when they go into the machine.

I've never tried bac-out.

I don't have an extra water option so I don't know how that works. For us we do a short cycle wash with no detergent & cold throughout & then I switch to the longest cycle with hot water/cold rinse with the detergent. Has been working great so far. Again, I don't have a sanitize option but I'd probably do it occassionally if I did.

[cristeen]

I have a Heavy Duty option on my machine, and I use that instead of Sanitize. I do a prewash, extra rinse, extended spin on Hot/Cold with Country Save in the prewash cup, BS in the wash cup and white vinegar in the fabric softener cup. Since I started doing that, I haven't had any stinky problems.

[4JMJ]

Thanks! I will def. put BS in the diaper pail, didn't think of that!
Cristeen, What is Country Save? Is there a certain amount of that, BS and vinegar that you use?
I'm really excited to get started with CD, just a little afraid of stains and stink!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by tinsetta2

Thanks! I will def. put BS in the diaper pail, didn't think of that!
Cristeen, What is Country Save? Is there a certain amount of that, BS and vinegar that you use?
I'm really excited to get started with CD, just a little afraid of stains and stink!

Country Save is a brand of laundry detergent that is one of the only diaper-safe fragrance free detergents. I use the manufacturer's recommended 1/2 scoop for a FL machine. For BS, I use 2 Tbs, and I fill the cup to the fill line with the white vinegar (only about 1/4 cup in my machine).

[mamadelbosque]

I like to spray all poopy diapers w/ bac out... but we've been out of it for a month or so and still no stink issues. Never have done vinegar or baking soda, but we use bumgeinus 2.0s and 3.0s exclusively and its bad for the PUL, so...

For the record this is my current washing routine (w/ a front loader):

Longest setting cold/cold w/ full normal amount of detergent. Longest HOT/cold w/ 1/4-1/2 amount of detergent w/ extra rinse. If I have time/water an extra short Hot/Cold cycle w/o detergent.

In the past I did ONE cycle HOT/COLD w/ 1/2 detergent and an extra rinse.

But I had lots of stains since I was starting w/ HOT, where as the above seems to cut down on stains HUGELY. I started off using allens natural for 2+ years but eventually had repelling issues, switched to ECOS still had repelling issues and am now using planet quite happily w/o issues. Good luck!!

[4JMJ]

Thanks Cristeen & Emily! I will definitely try your suggestions! I can't wait for the diapers to get here!!

[Juliacat]

I seldom use anything but detergent on the diapers, certainly not on a regular basis. We don't have a special sanitize cycle on our front loader, so I just wash on hot. I've never had a problem with cotton diapers but stuff that has polyester content gets stinky on occasion; more frequent washing and sunning help there.

[mum2row]

I use bs about1/4 cup with heavy soil load and extra rinse. I use soap nuts. then i do one more rinse cycle with vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. I do get stains but when it gets a bit warmer I will hang them outside.

[4JMJ]

Thanks! I def. want to hang them in the sun whenever I can (though this week the dipes may freeze, haha!)
Probably a dumb question , but are soap nuts something you buy or make?