PLEASE help me make my prefolds SOFT!

[expat-mama]

I've been experimenting with my prefolds ever since they arrived in the mail to try to make them softer. I did the whole prewash thing 5 times to get them all puffy etc. I use Allen's Naturally detergent.

My problem is- I line dry them, I don't have a dryer, I live in a very hot and dry climate. Getting a dryer is not an option. So my prefolds come out REALLY crunchy, scratchy, and hard- not soft at all. I wouldn't want to wear them on my bum let alone my newborn-to-be's tiny bum.

Yes, I've tried vinegar in the rinse.

Yes, I've tried baking soda in the wash.

Yes, I've tried a combination of both.

I've even tried making a fabric softener with glycerin.

I've put those spiky dryer balls in my washer to pound the crap out of the prefolds. (Even though they are for the dryer, I thought maybe they'd work in the washer. Nope.)

I'm out of ideas! The only thing that makes them softer is rubbing them vigorously together for 5 minutes each once they are dry...but obviously I can't rely on that method!
Help a mama out!

Will fabric softener REALLY make my prefolds less absorbent?
Any deviant mamas out there who use fabric softener on prefolds and have no problems? (Come out of hiding! For my sake!)

What else can I do besides ditch my prefolds in utter and complete exasperation!?!?!?

[Katie T]

When you line dry them hang them together. Does that make sense? Like put one on top of the other and then pin them with the same pins. This slows down the drying process and suppose ably makes them softer.

If you could get to a laundry mat to dry them even once it might help them shrink up and become more quilted of they aren't already. If you have questions about my response please ask. It is hard to type what I'm trying to say lol.

[lunita1]

Originally Posted by expat-mama

I've been experimenting with my prefolds ever since they arrived in the mail to try to make them softer. I did the whole prewash thing 5 times to get them all puffy etc. I use Allen's Naturally detergent.

My problem is- I line dry them, I don't have a dryer, I live in a very hot and dry climate. Getting a dryer is not an option. So my prefolds come out REALLY crunchy, scratchy, and hard- not soft at all. I wouldn't want to wear them on my bum let alone my newborn-to-be's tiny bum.

Yes, I've tried vinegar in the rinse.

Yes, I've tried baking soda in the wash.

Yes, I've tried a combination of both.

I've even tried making a fabric softener with glycerin.

I've put those spiky dryer balls in my washer to pound the crap out of the prefolds. (Even though they are for the dryer, I thought maybe they'd work in the washer. Nope.)

I'm out of ideas! The only thing that makes them softer is rubbing them vigorously together for 5 minutes each once they are dry...but obviously I can't rely on that method!
Help a mama out!

Will fabric softener REALLY make my prefolds less absorbent?
Any deviant mamas out there who use fabric softener on prefolds and have no problems? (Come out of hiding! For my sake!)

What else can I do besides ditch my prefolds in utter and complete exasperation!?!?!?

Snapping them hard in the air before hanging them to dry will also soften them up a tiny bit (similar to the rubbing)