Clean-rinse detergent use in machine also used w/ non-clean rinse det...???

[expat-mama]

I just drove across town and paid an exorbitant price (about $70) for a jug of Allen's Naturally detergent for my cloth diapers. It was the only clean-rinse detergent I could find- actually the only recommended detergent for cloth diapers at all- I can't even find Tide Free here.
So I bought it, then I got home and I read the part immediately following this recommendation that says clean-rinse detergent can't be used in a machine that is also used w/ non-clean-rinse detergent! It says that it cleans the residue off the machine and deposits it on the dipes and then the dipes don't clean well at all and irritate the baby even more.

I was planning on using my cheapo regular detergent as usual on my and DH's clothes and using the Allen's on baby's clothes and dipes. It'll be way expensive and inconvenient for me to use Allen's on everything!

Has anyone used a clean-rinse AND a non-clean-rinse in the same machine without problems? Could I just run an empty cycle with Allen's between using my non-clean rinse and clean-rinse loads to clean off this harmful residue?

Is this REALLY as much of an issue as GMD claims?

[Katie T]

I use Charlies Soap which is another clean rinsing detergent but it is cheap enough that I use it for all our laundry. If you order 2 bags its free shipping, it works great and has a 100% money back guarantee if you don't like it.

If I HAD to use two diff detergents I would wash my towels with the Allens and then wash my diapers, but I don't know that it will get all the residue off the machine, and then your towels will have lots of residue on them that could cause skin problems.

Have you tried normal detergents? Lots of people get by just fine with normal store bought detergents and If you haven't tried them yet I would and only switch it you have issues. Just remember to only use 1/4 or so the recommended amount of the store bought and rinse till no suds.

Even with my CS rinse till I see no suds.

[inky leeuhhh]

we have used both dawn and regular liquid tide with no issues.

[expat-mama]

Originally Posted by Katie T

If you order 2 bags its free shipping, it works great and has a 100% money back guarantee if you don't like it.

If I HAD to use two diff detergents I would wash my towels with the Allens and then wash my diapers, but I don't know that it will get all the residue off the machine, and then your towels will have lots of residue on them that could cause skin problems.

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh

we have used both dawn and regular liquid tide with no issues.

I'm in Dubai...so no free shipping for me!

Instead of a towel wash, would running an empty super-hot load with the Allen's and maybe some bleach between regular loads and baby loads get rid of most of the residue?

I had very sensitive skin as a baby and still have strange reactions to some soaps and detergents (I can't use Tide detergents or anything but Pear's soap or I get hives...most other regular detergents are fine...it's strange) , so I'd like to stick to the more natural detergents at least for baby's newborn stage. And I already bought the Allen's anyway (no idea where the receipt is ).

Anyone try to clear residue off between normal and clean-rinse detergent loads?

[Lineymom]

Can you get soapnuts in Dubai? I love them. I am paying about the same or less for them than I did when I used all free and clear. I use them on all our clothes and diapers.

[junipervt]

you'll be fine. I used Allen's for my diapers in laundromat washers for over a year w/o any problems. now that I have my own washer I still just use Allen's for diapers & Ecos for our clothes.

when I washed at the laundromat I would wipe out the washers w/ a white vinegar & water mix before I used them.

fwiw you will probably never have to buy detergent for your diapers again. that jug will last you a loooong time. use less than 1/2 of what they say to use on the bottle. you'll need to play w/ the amount a little to figure out how much is right for your machine. When I started I used way too much a few times & had to do a bunch of rinses to get it all out.