New washing machine

[obscureepiphany]

Okay, we don't have children yet, but we are trying to conceive. We plan to cloth diaper our children. Our washing machine recently died. I want to make sure that whatever washing machine we buy to replace it will be good for cloth diapers. Are there certain brands or models that get CDs cleaner? I read on another diapering board that some people don't like front-loaders- they said that because they used less water they didn't clean the dipes as well. Has this been your experience? Any special features that are nice to have? What machines have you found to be the most durable/longlasting? Thanks, any help you can give me is appreciated!

[Katie T]

I had a kenmore front loader that I hated for cloth diapering, I tried everything to make it work for me as we bought it new and it was only 2yrs old when I decided I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I bought a Roper top loader for a couple reasons one beings I had just spent a pretty penny on the fl that I just had to have and two because I know they hold up well. I think I paid just over 300 for it. I also looked to make sure the fins on the agitator were nice and wide. I pretty much tried to get as close to the old time washer as I could. My water bill only went up 15 dollars because it would take me 2 days of rinsing in my fl to get my diapers rinsed so i was wasting a ton of water.

I vote for a good old top loader.

[obscureepiphany]

Thanks, Katie! Anyone else want to chime in?

[LZP]

We had the same dilemma- buying a new washer while TTC. I ended up opting for the FL, since we wash many things other than just CDs.

My plan is to give them a good soak before washing, then follow the washing suggestions that I've read in a few places, and that should be enough. we have the Bosch Nexxt washer and dryer, and they get all of our other clothes clean. I've done a little soak/agitate type test on our towels to see if it's leaving behind detergent residue, and it doesnt seem to. There are good washing instructions for various machines here that I bet would work using most CD appropriate detergents/soaps.

Since we have hard water, I do a double rinse on all of our clothes with a little diluted vinegar and that seems to help.

Our water consumption was cut in half (literally!!!) when we switched to the FL.

[Mommie020307]

we just recently got a washer and dryer through rent a center....can't afford to pay outright upfront just yet...our brand is
Whirlpool WE/GD5300VW - WTW5300VW
Here are the specs
Dryer -

• 7.0 cu ft dryer with a large drop down door

• Features 12 cycles and 4 temperature settings.

• Available in electric or gas.

Washer

• 3.5 cu ft top load washer with a white porcelain tub

• Features 16 cycles and 4 speed combinations.

• Features 4 water temps and 5 water levels.

I also have an extra Rinse option on the washer which is a PLUS for diapers as well, with my old one i didn't have that option so i would have to manually do it and it never worked for me so i just never did the extra rinse.

[mojobin]

I have a front loader and it took me some time to figure out the right settings to wash with. Now I am a PRO! Every front loader is different so you would have to find the right settings based on the brand you choose. I think a front loader is a better option b/c diapers are not your only wash and you are going to have much less environmental impact in the long run. I have a Bosch machine (averages 5 gallons of water per load as compared to a top loader's 40!). I use the soak setting first with a 1/2 cup of borax. I add about 2 gallons of water after it has filled on its own to ensure that they are really soaked well (this advice from another MDCer). Next I do a hot wash with an extra rinse (add another gallon of water here if I remember). I use the borax again and detergent this time. Cleans my dipes spic and span! I figure I am averaging 14 gallons of water each wash which is still WAY better than the top loading. Good luck!

Just noticed the PP on the Bosch - I too add vinegar to the wash cycle! Love my Bosch!!

[poppan]

If you buy an FL I would get one with an internal heater (this usually means it has a sanitize cycle) and with a water plus or extra water feature to increase the amount of water in the wash and rinse cycles. I love my FL I think it gets things waaaaay cleaner than my TL ever did. But also know that people do struggle with CDing on some FLs. FWIW that was not my experience, I have used two different brands of FLs while CDing and I found something that works on both.

[Galatea]

We just got a new LG washer and dryer. The LG models have the ability to add extra water with the push of a button. This solves any cloth diaper problems. I looooove my washer and it is getting my diapers and clothes so much cleaner. I actually am sort of grossed out that I was putting the diapers on my kids when they were not as clean!!!

My diaper wash cycle:

cold "fast wash" cycle with no spin and "water plus" option
sanitize cycle with Rockin' Green detergent and "water plus" option, extra rinse

All done!!! And so much cleaner than before.

[kl5]

Originally Posted by Galatea

We just got a new LG washer and dryer. The LG models have the ability to add extra water with the push of a button. This solves any cloth diaper problems. I looooove my washer and it is getting my diapers and clothes so much cleaner. I actually am sort of grossed out that I was putting the diapers on my kids when they were not as clean!!!

My diaper wash cycle:

cold "fast wash" cycle with no spin and "water plus" option
sanitize cycle with Rockin' Green detergent and "water plus" option, extra rinse

All done!!! And so much cleaner than before.

I know this is an oldish thread, but am currently dealing with this as well. Expecting our first in Sept. and am looking for a new washer. Would like a top loader that has adequate functionality, but hopefully not too awfully expensive!!!

Galatea, does your routine above involve two trips or can you program both wash cycles and the extra rinse when you load it? This is the issue that I can't quite get my head around. Our laundry is in the basement and definitely a trip for me. Would love not to have to go down twice to wash one load...