Questions about resusable wipes, cloth diapers

[lilflower]

Any recommendations on what kind of reusable wipes to get. Also, what kind of laundry soap do you recommend for cloth diapers? I've heard anything unscented/free and clear is OK, but just wanted to check. BTW I've heard the some babies have allergic reactions to the Charlie's soap.

[is it puppies?]

DDCC
I hear that soap can be very dependent on where you live and how your water is. I bought Nellie's but hear that with the hard water we have it won't be very effective even though it work's great in some places. I will still try it out till I see if it works or not.
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html there are a number of charts around, and check out the diapering forums here for good advice.

For wipes I bought a few packs of baby washcloths (just the terry ones) as they were inexpensive- I think I paid $3/12. You can hand make them from scrap or buy all kinds of fancy ones! I don't know how well that the washcloths will work but I have read that you can use almost anything (haven't had the baby yet so I don' t know for sure).

Good luck, and check the diapering forums for lots of great info!

[ammiga]

We love Allen's Naturally. Never had build-up or a smelly diaper problem. Used half a scoop with a cold/cold cycle, followed by a hot/cold cycle with no detergent.

For wipes, I use the Imse Vimse organic cotton wipes. I got 2 dozen and that was perfect for laundry schedule of 20 diapers.

I got the diapers and detergent and our wipes at Baby Cotton Bottoms. The box of detergent lasted over a year!

[luv-my-boys]

I just use a simple no dye/perfume type detergent with ours. Nothing fancy but it works with our family. Me move around a bit and sometimes some soaps just dont work with certain water so it best to find out what type of water you have.

For wipes I buy those bulk wash cloth packs (walmart) that are literally only 6.99. They are the ones sold in the towel aisle. I personally dont like the baby wash cloths because I think they are too small and thin compared to reg. wash clothes that tend to have more *loops* in the terry fabric which are awesome for cleaning. plus they are cheap and can always be used post diapering for around the house.

[MamaMonica]

Moved to Diapering, per DDC guidelines

[WaitingForKiddos]

I'm planning on using All f&c. We use it for everything else and it works with our he washer so I hope diapers like it too!

Wipes I'm using a mix of terrycloth pieces that have the edges surged, a few fancy bamboo ones that came with our wipe warmer, and a bunch of neat ones SIL made from a waffled type material that seems really good for poops. Never thought I'd see material and think 'wow! That'll be great for poop!'

[Surfacing]

[Oliver'sMom]

I use a goat milk laundry soap that's made at a local farm here. It works really well and is great for sensitive skin. I've also used All free and clear and that works well too.

For wipes I use any kind of washcloth, or just a clean corner from the cloth diaper They all work equally well imo, but I do like the wipes I got at green mountain diapers the best since they have a smooth side for pee and a more textured side for poop. Unfortunately, she doesn't sell them anymore.

[jess_paez]

we use all f&c too, works great i wanted something we could wash our clothes w/too. i've noticed it doesn't remove stains completely, but it comes real close and with sunning it will be perfect. we plan on getting small wash cloths too for wipes.

[rlmueller]

Main things

Look for something free of optical brighteners, fragrance, color. Surfactants and Enzymes are generally okay and clean well. I use a free and clear Costco brand, Ecover, Soapnuts. I also monthly use a disinfectant and/or laundry booster such as a free and clear type oxygen cleaner or a tad bit of bleach and/or Borax.
Absolutely no fabric softener or dryer sheets! These cause build-up and cause absorbancy problems.

Wipes can be anything (and you or your family can switch) old flannel, t-shirts, regular t-shirt material shirts, wash cloths, baby washclothes. Two layer receiving blankets, microterry from the dollar store. Possibilities are endless here and you can still use a regular wipe warmer.

Wanna spoil yourself? Put wipes for you/family in a wipewarmer on the back of the toilet--Oooo lala!

[alegna]

I've always heard to avoid enzymes- the costco free and clear has them

I use purex free and clear- it does have brighteners now (was the last not to) but it works well enough and is cheap.

I buy wipes when I buy diapers and I have quite an assortment now.

-Angela

[Pinoikoi]

I also have a large assortment of cloth wipes. I haven't used any of them yet, but I have prewashed them.. I think that some of them that have loops in the weave fray easily and others tend to roll up on themselves, so I would get (or make) double sided ones to keep them nice and flat (more useable area that way) and avoid fabric with loops in it.

[Ifluffedthree]

I have been making my own goat milk laundry soap since 2001 and use it for everything.

that said. there is a compiled list of recommendations for diaper washing done by the RDIA. I have it on my diaper care page or you can look it up. I think it might be helpful to you.

For wipes:

for budget friendly ideas use flannel on flannel
for softness use bamboo or hemp velours. the bamboo is soft and squishy out of the starting gate but eventually become no softer than an average flannel. the hemp has the longest durability and will out last all the other fabrics. We also love combo's of wovens backed in cotton velours.
My wipe stash is huge, we are a paper free household and use family cloth so I have lots of all of the above. Sharing my perspective of fibers and durability from a manufacturing standpoint also.

Good luck.

[4myfinn]

I use Country Save detergent. It lasts FOREVER, doesn't build up, gets everything out. It's wonderful. I use it on diapers, wipes, and all of our clothes. I bought four boxes of it on amazon.com before DS was born for about 60 bucks, but it's lasted for a long time. DS is almost 9 months old and we're about halfway into the second box. And we use it for everything. Here's a good site that dissects what's in different detergents. I used it to decide what to buy: http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

I don't recommend free and clear detergents. Some cloth diapering sites will tell you to stay away from them (BG tells you NOT to use them). They can contain brighteners that will ruin your diapers.

I bought cloth wipes at a baby store, but in hindsight I wish I had just made my own. Get some flannel, some fleece or other cottony material, and serge them together on the edges. Voila!

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by 4myfinn

Get some flannel, some fleece or other cottony material, and serge them together on the edges. Voila!

Serge as in zig-zag stitch?

And do you mean to put two layers of fabric together?

[4myfinn]

Originally Posted by Surfacing

Serge as in zig-zag stitch?

And do you mean to put two layers of fabric together?

Yes, put the two layers of fabric together and serge the edges. I think some machines have a separate serge setting- or you can find someone with a separate machine. I guess you could do any old stitch, but serging is good for raw edges.

[Surfacing]

Can I leave any of the fabrics single layer and surge the edges? I should be able to, right?

I went through some old girl baby clothes and there were a stash that were too stained to be donated or given away. So I put those aside and want to make wipes out of that fabric. Just not wanting to gear myself up for a huge amount of sewing. I'm lazy! But I'll do it if I have to...

ETA - thanks for the info mamas!

[rlmueller]

Originally Posted by Surfacing

Serge as in zig-zag stitch?

And do you mean to put two layers of fabric together?

Yeah. Sorry, English failed me--I don't have a serger.

GMD write-up says enzymes are fine as long as there is no reaction. We are fine with them, but I am switching to soapnuts for the family for cost effectiveness and other uses.

Shoot--I just realized that wasn't my post that I quoted. Coffee anyone? The rest applies

[4myfinn]

Originally Posted by Surfacing

Can I leave any of the fabrics single layer and surge the edges? I should be able to, right?

I went through some old girl baby clothes and there were a stash that were too stained to be donated or given away. So I put those aside and want to make wipes out of that fabric. Just not wanting to gear myself up for a huge amount of sewing. I'm lazy! But I'll do it if I have to...

ETA - thanks for the info mamas!

Great idea! Way to be thrifty!

I'm sure you could do single layer wipes no problem. As long as it gets the bum clean, right?

[fishmom]

Super helpful thread!! I was just about to ask if it was worth spending a dollar a wipe from a diaper supply site. DD, 9, takes sewing lessons - now I have a summer project for her!!