What's your front-loader wash routine?

[Juvysen]

I'm sure there's 500 threads about this, but...
Well, our top-loader washer recently died and now i have a front-loader (it arrived today)…
So, um, what are your front-loader wash routines? I’m still diapering one in some cloth, but he’s mostly in disposables and underpants, now… but with the newborn I’m expecting in the next 4 weeks, i plan to CD. I sorta need to learn this quick! LOL
Also, the washer I got has some sort of “silver care” deal that’s supposed to sanitize… anyone know if that’s ok to use on dipes?
I mostly have fitteds and pockets, for what that’s worth - that is, we’re dealing with elastic, here.


Thanks ladies!


OH! and also... does the "wool wash" cycle really mean I can wash actual wool in it? Because it says in the manual "for washable wool"... and um, what's the point of having a wool cycle for washable wool? the whole point of washable wool is that you can stick it in a normal load, no? I have to assume that's some sort of CYA language, since it's supposed to be more gentle than the "handwash cycle"...

[Poodge]

I do an express wash, cold/cold, no spin, no detergent. I then do a heavy duty cycle, hot/cold, no spin, with detergent. Then I do a final express wash, cold/cold, high spin, no detergent. I skip the spins until the end to 1) save time and 2) weigh the diapers down more so more water is used in each cycle. Once a month I add a little bleach to the middle cycle. I would be careful with the sanitize cycle because I read it can get very hot and damage the diapers (elastic).

[Juvysen]

Yeah, this is some silver ion thing so you can sanitize in cold water.

[cristeen]

On my machine, I have a few options. So I select a Heavy Duty load, which is automatically Hot/Cold with a longer agitation cycle. Then I add a prewash, a 2nd rinse and an extended spin (option buttons) to it. I put the detergent in the prewash cup, BS in the regular wash cup and vinegar in the rinse cup. That's all I've ever needed to do with my dipes, but they are entirely natural fibers.

As for the wool setting - I haven't tried it on wool, but I do know that on my machine it does a really gentle agitate, no spin, so you could put actual wool in there. I don't bother though because I don't have a full load.

[MEcatlady17]

Originally Posted by cristeen

On my machine, I have a few options. So I select a Heavy Duty load, which is automatically Hot/Cold with a longer agitation cycle. Then I add a prewash, a 2nd rinse and an extended spin (option buttons) to it. I put the detergent in the prewash cup, BS in the regular wash cup and vinegar in the rinse cup. That's all I've ever needed to do with my dipes, but they are entirely natural fibers.

As for the wool setting - I haven't tried it on wool, but I do know that on my machine it does a really gentle agitate, no spin, so you could put actual wool in there. I don't bother though because I don't have a full load.

Sounds like my routine. I have a Kenmore Elite front loader. I set the 'my cycle' (you can custom set one cycle on my machine) for a prewash with 1/4 tbs Charlies Soap and then heavy Duty (hot/cold) with 1/4 tbs Charlies and a Skin Care Rinse (longer cold rinse).

This way I just put the detergent into the wash and prewash compartments in little drawer, press My Cycle and Start. No going back to restart the machine over and over. Super easy and working great for my newborn prefolds, covers (I wash poopy covers with the diapers and pee ones with regular baby laundry), wipes, pockets and inserts.

[hildare]

About the 'wool wash' setting: I think you can but i haven't tried it. I do know that the stinkin' delicate cycle on mine uses warm water!!! which, i really found out the hard way, but on the positive side, i can make some soakers now.

I load a downy ball with vinegar. I use the pre-wash button, wash on hot/cold, and push the button for "extra rinse." It takes forever, but the nappies get pretty clean! I also tried the extra-water-in-the washer setting, but it didn't work as well as the aforementioned routine I worked out.

I have used the sanitize cycle for the ones that don't have PUL (i.e. prefolds and kissiluvs) and it was good; i've read that it can damage PUL and i've also read that it's fine, but i don't want to find out for sure. I have also read that you can just do the sanitize cycle every once in a while. Vinegar seems to work just as well for me and i can wash everything together.