Thoughts on Vinegar Use?

[chely7425]

So, we used to use vinegar in our pre-rinse but then stopped because I ran out and someone said it was bad for the diapers. But, it SEEMS like it was the only thing that really kept our diapers un-stinky... We use mostly PFs with a few fitteds and pockets for night time. We have hard water. I don't really care if using vinegar shortens my CDs lifespan by a little bit... but if it is seriously detrimental to them then I won't use it. Is there anything else I can use? Oxyclean? Bleach?

[CallMeMommy]

I've only heard that vinegar is bad for synthetic fibers (i.e. microfiber inserts and stuff like that). Oxyclean is okay, I've heard that recommended a lot. Bleach is BAD, use only as a last resort and never on a regular basis.

[chely7425]

What does vinegar do to covers? Not that covers are super expensive or hard to replace, just don't want to be replacing them like every other month or something. What kind of oxyclean is recommended? Does it matter?

[thefreckledmama]

I've been using vinegar in either my prewash, rinse or both for the last 23 months. My prefolds have no obvious detrimental wear from it. I did however have a few prefolds ruined (holes and worn spots), from just a couple over-zealous bleachings by my MIL.

I'd definitely choose vinegar over bleach any day. I've also used peroxide bleach with good results, but the vinegar is so much cheaper. Honestly, if vinegar is working for you, I see no reason to change your routine.

[Mrsboyko]

Vinegar killed the elastic in a lot of my pockets. I too was using it pretty much ever y washing and w/in 3 months I lost like 9 diapers to elastic issues. Stopped the vinegar (except when needed) and it didn't happen again. Now if i feel that things are getting stinky, it is usually the inserts causing the problems. I wash everything as usual, then pull put anything with elastic and rewash the inserts/ prefolds w/ a cup of vinegar on HOT, then baking soda on HOT, then regular rinse and they are good to go.

[cristeen]

I use vinegar as a rinse aid in every wash - diapers and clothes. We have hard water, and it really helps to get all the soap out. I haven't had any problems with my fitteds or prefolds with it, and I wash daily.

[Galatea]

I use it in every prewash and it completely prevents ammonia. I wouldn't wash without it. I have not had any problems with elastic failure. Honestly, I have done almost all the no-nos and not had problems.

[Sleepyheaded_Mama]

I use vinegar in every final rinse and have for the last almost two months - not that that is any real impressive span of time, lol. But I haven't noticed any harm to my prefolds, covers, MEOS or NuBunz, all are in good-as-new condition still and I'm washing 3-4 times/week. I will tell you that my diapers stink badly before washing and come out smelling like absolutely nothing, not even the faintest hint of ammonia smell, and I feel safer using vinegar and having any potential of that kind of residue touching my baby than using OxiClean frequently and chance having that residue against his bum.

[chely7425]

I think I will try putting it back in the prewash/prerinse bit and see if it helps... is that where is it best put? We were using like 1/2 a cup I think, is that a good amount? More or less?

[ShwarmaQueen]

I do 1/2 cup of vinegar in an extra rinse (after washing) every couple of weeks for buildup on my PFs. I also have hard water.

[Mamaluu]

I've read to use vinegar to balance out the pH if you do baking soda during the wash. Does everyone that use vinegar (in after-wash extra rinse, or in pre-wash rinse) also use baking soda? Or do some of you use vinegar but no baking soda?

[Sleepyheaded_Mama]

I have hard water, do not use baking soda and never measure my vinegar - I just fill a Downy Ball up with the stuff and toss it in.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by chely7425

I think I will try putting it back in the prewash/prerinse bit and see if it helps... is that where is it best put? We were using like 1/2 a cup I think, is that a good amount? More or less?

It depends on what you are using it for and your water quality. For hard water, you may have problems if you put it in the rinse.

If you are using for ammonia stink, it should go in the prewash.

If you are using it for softening the diapers and rinsing the detergent out, it should go in the first rinse (followed by another rinse.)

I use 1/2 to 1 cup and just eyeball it.

[Nicole730]

I use it in every rinse cycle and haven't noticed any wear and tear on our diapers. We have flannel pocket diapers, microfiber and chamois inserts, a variety of covers, and a few bum genius 3.0s.

[nukedwifey]

I use vinegar! My sister used vinegar and 3 kids later I'm using her dipes so if it shortened the life of the dipes then I guess they were to last what 10 years over maybe 8. Seriously now....

[NSmomtobe]

How do you add the vinegar in the rinse cycle? Do you use a Downy ball?

[CookAMH]

I put it in the middle of the agitator that has an opening for fabric softener. Not sure what other washers are like. I actually just started doing this, previously I would turn a rinse back on and put the vinegar in. Then my mom suggested using the fabric softer spot...it works!

[moxygirl]

One more praise for vinegar! Our flats are squeaky clean. I use it in the first rinse. Maybe, per PPs suggestions, I'll use it in the first cold wash cycle instead. But if you use it in the rinse, it helps the diapers rinse cleaner so I don't know...

As far as Oxiclean goes, I've heard Oxiclean Baby recommended because it doesn't have the additives that regular Oxiclean does.

I alternate Oxiclean Baby in the hot wash one week, 1/2 cup of vinegar in the first rinse the next. Works great! Haven't had any issues but I only have flats and a few prefolds, so pretty sturdy. I have used vinegar a few times with the PUL covers. They are getting a tiny bit leaky but I'm not sure if that's from the vinegar.

[mistymama]

Well I'm here getting ideas on what's new in the cd world for our new one on the way...

But I cd'd my son for 3 years and used vinegar in every wash cycle for those 3 years. I used everything from fitteds, prefolds, fuzzi buns, other pocket diapers, etc and never had a problem, ever. It really helped keep our diapers squeaky clean and stink free.

[Adsullata]

I love using vinegar as fabric softener in my regular laundry, but I stopped using it in dipes months ago. I wash prefolds, pockets, AIOs, covers, etc. all together and I had some leaking issues start with my pail liners and wet bags (no longer containing the smell and felt damp on outside). The manufacturer said vinegar shouldn't be used with any PUL products as it causes deterioration and separation of the PUL. Fortunately, I don't think I'd been using it long enough to effect any of my pockets and most of my covers seemed ok. The counter is that high temp "reseals" PUL (hot water and/or hot dryer according to fabric manufacturer), so maybe that's what saved me.

Point being, if you wash PUL separate, no prob w/ vinegar on other dipes, otherwise, I'd skip it to be safe.

eta: my pail liners and wet bags were only a month or two old at the time, and they're planet wise- my replacements have been great but they've not been exposed to vinegar. otoh, my thirsties and bummis covers held up fine, although I ran them thru a couple hot dryer cycles to reinvigorate the PUL.