Washing cloth diapers

[Helsie]

Hi everyone -- I tried to keep*up with the many diaper threads that have been and gone, but I missed anyone talking about what type off detergent to wash them in. I am going to use a local diaper service (which is incredibly reasonable and I want to support them). But I know that I'll need to wash a few myself from time to time. A friend told me you have to use a certain type of detergent, and cannot use Dreft, because that coats the diapers and makes them leak. The one to use is apparently "Country Save". I have no idea where I can buy it locally but am going to search for it. Anyway just wanted to pass that on in case there is anyone else that might not have realised!

[jabeen]

here is a list of detergents, including which ones don't leave residue:

http://www.bummis.com/media/detergent-information.pdf

[OlyR]

I found Country Save in a bulk bin at my local co-op but I think they also sell it at places like Whole Foods (if they don't have it try asking a manager b/c I have seen posts on various diaper boards that say WF has started carrying it after a request).

I have also seen a couple other detergents on the list at a few grocery stores around here - one that is considered the "crunchy" grocery and another that is kind of like a discount/bulk store.

Also, don't use fabric softner. We stopped using that years ago to help with DH's slight asthma but I will have to remember to make sure MIL doesn't use it.

[SheBear]

I've always just used whatever we use for everything else (usually some free/clear version of whatever is on sale). I can't currently justify the expense of being crunchy and green with detergent, so I get what I can afford and hope the "karma" from not using disposable will even it out, LOL!

I do like method's new laundry detergent....they send me samples from time to time, and recently sent me a full-size bottle of the stuff, and it's great! Haven't used it enough to know how well I like it for diapers though. Of course, I see it's considered a no-no according to the Bummis list....

Anyway, I use whatever we are using for the rest of the laundry, and I've never had major issues with residue or all that. IMO/IME, those kinds of issues are generally an indication that you are using too much detergent. I use way less than "recommended" for all of our laundry, esp. for diapers. I run diapers through an extra rinse, and watch for any sudsing in the rinse, which would indicate too much detergent. One time I was having a consistent odor problem with pocket diapers (fuzzi bunz) and I "borrowed" some Scent-a-Way detergent from my FIL, who is a big hunter. I think it's pretty much the same as the Sportwash, just packaged differently. Anyway, it worked well. After that I was more careful about the amount of detergent I was using, and I didn't have much more trouble.

That may not be very helpful, but I really think that it has a lot more to do with the amount of detergent and adequate rinsing than it does with anything else....don't get intimidated; it really doesn't have to be as complicated, IMO, as a lot of people make it!

[Nicole730]

We've used a little bit of everything. Mostly powder tide and when that ran out, we bought a box of country save at our local co-op. I also add vinegar to the rinse cycle, which I think helps a lot.

(What helps the most with stink issues is bleach...but I only use it once every other month or so)

[HappiLeigh]

I just use whatever we had on hand, and never had any problems. Just avoid fabric softener.

[itsajenism]

I use baking soda and vinegar w/ a little tea tree oil.

[Sri Radha]

It's annoying that none of the detergents that are listed as good to use are available locally. 7th Gen is a VT company but I don't remember ever seeing the delicate care variation. I did mail order some Charlie's but I really don't want to have to use mail order for laundry soap.

[Ninetales]

I plan on using regular Tide. I'm using all prefolds and cotton aios so I'm not overly concerned. If that doesn't work out I'll try something else but I can't afford to spend the money on the crunchy stuff.

[jabeen]

Originally Posted by Sri Radha

It's annoying that none of the detergents that are listed as good to use are available locally. 7th Gen is a VT company but I don't remember ever seeing the delicate care variation. I did mail order some Charlie's but I really don't want to have to use mail order for laundry soap.

Yeah I haven't been able to find the delicate care version of 7th Gen either. I know I've seen Planet detergent locally but I don't know where now...I'm thinking of just ordering from Amazon.

[hapersmion]

There's a new BumGenius detergent. I'm giving that a try. I had a lot of trouble with DS's BumGenius diapers not every getting un-sudsy. I'm told by my local diaper store owner that it's the free & clear detergents that are to blame, they leave residue, she says.

[Magistra]

We started buying Charlie's on strong testimonials I read online, specifically in terms of cloth diapers. We were already trying to do residue-free since my partner has sensitive skin. Definitely look at the Charlie's in terms of per-load cost. You really do need only a tablespoon or less per load. I'm really close to buying the gigantic tub of it--big initial outlay, but wouldn't have to worry about running out of detergent any time soon, maybe around the time we're done with diapers!