Apt won't let me wash CD

[westcoastlady]

So I've been cloth diapering my DS since he was about 4 months old. We live in a apartment with coin laundry so I waited until I felt I could handle it until I started. That means I've been washing my diapers here for almost a whole year.

Just today, I was doing laundry (including diapers) when I noticed a sign stating that cloth diapers are not to be washed in the machines.

I'm wondering if someone complained but I really do try to be considerate. I always run two wash cycles (yep, I have to pay for both), I use liners so the diapers aren't overly poopy and I rinse in the toilet any poop that does get on their. I feel that my diapers are really clean by the end of my wash routine and I think that means the machine should be clean enough too.

I think I'm going to call the management and complain and explain why I think I should be allowed to continue. It's reasonable, right?
I really don't want to go back to disposables, especially since I've already invested in the cloth diapers.

What do you think?

[weliveintheforest]

I can't think of any good reason you shouldn't be allowed to continue. I absolutely think it's reasonable to contact the management and explain your situation and that you run two wash cycles. Are they going to make a rule about any other laundry? Diapers aren't the only yucky laundry.

[november]

Are there usually a lot of people in there doing laundry at any given time?

Honestly, I'd just keep washing them and unless someone said something to my face, I'd keep on keepin' on, lol.

[Mrs-Mama]

Originally Posted by weliveintheforest

I can't think of any good reason you shouldn't be allowed to continue. I absolutely think it's reasonable to contact the management and explain your situation and that you run two wash cycles. Are they going to make a rule about any other laundry? Diapers aren't the only yucky laundry.

This. What about thrown-up on sheets, accidents while potty training, etc, etc? There are many things grosser than washing rinsed out poopy diapers.

[triscuitsmom]

Originally Posted by Mrs-Mama

This. What about thrown-up on sheets, accidents while potty training, etc, etc? There are many things grosser than washing rinsed out poopy diapers.

Yes to this!

I cloth diapered while taking my diapers to a laundry mat for a while and noone ever said anything. I had tried to prepare for what to say if they did because disposables were not and are not an option for me at all. I definitely think you should either keep doing what you are doing and call the management if someone says anything to you to complain.

[rachelsmama]

Was the sign posted by management, or by a neighbour? If it was a neighbour I would just discreetly take down the sign, if it was management I would pretend I hadn't seen it.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by november

Are there usually a lot of people in there doing laundry at any given time?

Honestly, I'd just keep washing them and unless someone said something to my face, I'd keep on keepin' on, lol.

This is what I'd do. Like others have said there are plenty of yucky things that get washed in there already!

[34me]

I would much rather wash my clothes after your dipes than my ds's disgusting athletic gear

[littlemizflava]

there is no way that there is anything left in the machine. if you wanted to i would skip the 2nd wash and do a load or 2 of clothing after the diapers and use the same dryer so that. if there is anything in the machine it is on your clothing
i cloth diapered 2 kids with a coin machine in a apt building. i have had more problems with people slopping soap all over place and in the machines. which makes me and my children have a alergic reaction from.

[Nicole730]

That is crazy. My first thought was what a PP said about thrown up on items and kids who poop their pants. I don't see how they can just say your kid's bodily fluids can't be washed, but everyone else's can.

[lifeguard]

I would just continue continuing on unless someone specifically complains to you - you've been doing it for a year & no one's felt it was necessary to say something to you.

I would also make sure to give the machine a good wipe when you're done though. My Mom owns a laundromat & we wipe the machines every night & throughout the day - it is sometimes surprising how much debris is left in the machines & I know sometimes in the seal of my front loader at home I am surprised to find bits. So it's not a bad habit to get into to ensure the machine is clean for the next person.

[Casha'sMommy]

Originally Posted by november

Are there usually a lot of people in there doing laundry at any given time?

Honestly, I'd just keep washing them and unless someone said something to my face, I'd keep on keepin' on, lol.

[SeaMother]

" .... if there is anything in the machine it is on your clothing" Yep!!! So there!

I totally agree...I wouldn't say anything to management myself unless someone says something to your face..just ignore it as if you aren't in the habit of reading ridiculous directions and "keep on keeping on" haha!

And if you think a neighbor put it up--I would subtly take it down (ninja style) like someone suggested.

If you make them come to you, you can save your trump card arguments for the worst case scenario.. for example that you already "prewash" your dipes etc. I think they have no right to make you go to a different laundromat, but they might try--
I wonder, what did people do before the disposable diaper became the norm? if someone complains you could suggest politely that the squimish person go somewhere else themselves? Phew! Good luck!!!

SeaMother

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by Mrs-Mama

This. What about thrown-up on sheets, accidents while potty training, etc, etc? There are many things grosser than washing rinsed out poopy diapers.

If anyone says anything I'd mention this as well. Not to mention blood or other "bodily fluids" that can transfer all sorts of fun stuff...I'd be much more comfy using it after your diapers.

[octobermom]

I'd just keep on washing them personally

Deanna

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by november

Are there usually a lot of people in there doing laundry at any given time?

Honestly, I'd just keep washing them and unless someone said something to my face, I'd keep on keepin' on, lol.

& if anyone says anything, just say, "oh these aren't diapers, they are extra-absorbent underwear" or something like that to make them realize it's no grosser than them washing their own underwear in there!

[westcoastlady]

Thanks everyone. The notice was officially put up by management but it must be because someone complained as I don't see any other reason for it to randomly appear.

I`m just going to pretend that I didn`t notice it and if anyone says anything then I`ll start calling management and ranting. Now I have lots of ideas of what to say to them

Thanks again

[LionTigerBear]

Honestly, it would bug me if someone was regularly washing poopy material in the washing machine. Just offering an alternative point of view.

When I have poopy clothing to wash, I hand wash the worst of it at home and then run it through the communal washing machine twice.

It's worth noting that many or most germs cannot be killed in the washing machine, so they do transfer to everything they come in contact with. The washing machine does not sanitize anything. I am not a germaphobe by any means, but I draw the line at poop. Of course there are many potential offenders besides cleaning cloth diapers, but if someone is regularly washing cloth diapers in the machine that's a substantially higher volume of pathogens. We've gotten more sicknesses since we started using the communal washing machines than ever before.

[happysmileylady]

It's entirely possible that you are not the problem. It could be that there is another person using the machines that also cloth diapers but isn't nearly so considerate about the extra rinse and such.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by LionTigerBear

Honestly, it would bug me if someone was regularly washing poopy material in the washing machine. Just offering an alternative point of view.

When I have poopy clothing to wash, I hand wash the worst of it at home and then run it through the communal washing machine twice.

It's worth noting that many or most germs cannot be killed in the washing machine, so they do transfer to everything they come in contact with. The washing machine does not sanitize anything. I am not a germaphobe by any means, but I draw the line at poop. Of course there are many potential offenders besides cleaning cloth diapers, but if someone is regularly washing cloth diapers in the machine that's a substantially higher volume of pathogens. We've gotten more sicknesses since we started using the communal washing machines than ever before.

From the OP

Originally Posted by westcoastlady

I always run two wash cycles (yep, I have to pay for both), I use liners so the diapers aren't overly poopy and I rinse in the toilet any poop that does get on their. I feel that my diapers are really clean by the end of my wash routine and I think that means the machine should be clean enough too.

Sounds like she treats poopy diapers in the same way you'd treat poopy clothing.

OP I'd keep doing what you're doing until someone confronts you. Maybe add a downey ball of vinegar or bleach to your final rinse to really kill germs to add to your defense, should it become necessary.