Recs for hard/rust well water?

[apmama07]

I've been reading through archives but could use some specific advice/recommendations. I'm at my wits end and have had DD in 'sposies for a couple of weeks since she keeps complaining of vaginal soreness/itchiness and only giving the CDs a rest seems to help. No rash, but the dipes also have a chronic stink problem no matter how much I strip them and have developed a pink dinginess. She's 32 mos and we've CD since birth, mostly with pockets (BG and HH) which we now stuff with PFs.

We've moved and are renting a house on well water so have little control over it - aren't about to shell out $$ for a big softener/filtration system - but had it tested and have slightly hard water and definite iron issues. I've noticed some calcium residue and also horrible rust stains in toilets/sinks.

So my question is two-fold really:
(1) What has everyone found to work in terms of detergent/additives/wash routine for similarly hard water?

(2) I may be giving up on the BG entirely since they are worn out and abused and am thinking of switching over to just PFs or fitteds until she decides she's ready for PL. Any recs on which covers/fibers "weather" such water issues better? I'm thinking natural fibers might be more my friends since they can take more abuse in washing and additives.

Thanks!
~megan

[Galatea]

You can use some Calgon water softener in every hot wash (in the laundry aisle.)

If you use vinegar for ammonia, only put it in the prewash.

Bleach would normally be your friend to get rid of stink, but it will react terribly with the iron and ruin the diapers.

You could use prefolds and just buy new as they get crusty.

[Katie T]

We have very hard water, but I'm not sure of the iron content, we don't have a ton of rust. I have found stopping the washer in the hot wash with soap and letting it sit for at least a half hour really helps.

I used to have lingering smell issues, but this has made those non existent now. I use Charlies Soap, but I think it would help with any soap as hard water is harder to get things really clean.

[apmama07]

Thanks for the responses! Such great tips!

I bought some Calgon today after reading some other posts about it, and it's already made a difference. Is it true I could use bleach if I use Calgon at the same time - like the Calgon neutralizes the minerals and makes the bleach work again?

Trying to figure out what my next step is to really strip them good, now that I've discovered the Calgon works to counteract the hard water....I've heard about CLR and Rust Off but am really skittish about using them on any wash, let alone diapers!

[Katie T]

I used rust off once on my Bum Genius pockets. I had washed dipes not realizing they were flushing the towns system and my dipes were orange. I don't know how earth friendly it is, probably not very but I soaked all my dipes and inserts in the sink and washed like normal after wards. It did get the rust out!

[Galatea]

Rust removal products can change the color of dyed cottons and other natural fibers, so don't use them on these types of diapers.

[Katie T]

Originally Posted by Galatea

Rust removal products can change the color of dyed cottons and other natural fibers, so don't use them on these types of diapers.

Yikes, I got lucky then. Good to know for the future, I'd be bummed if I messed up my stash!