HELP--hard water--newborn 5 days old

[jensben]

I just had my 4th boy and am diving into CD again. Exciting!

BUT--we have EXTREMELY hard water. I stripped all my dipes and am ready to roll. But if they start to stink again, I'm afraid I will give up CD for good.

HELP PLEASE...anyone had good success with hard water...which detergent? Which wash cycle?

TIA!!!!

[cristeen]

We have hard water, i use country save and white vinegar. I'm not married to the CS, but the vinegar is a must. What type of dipes do you have, since that makes a difference.

[somegirl99]

We also have hard water and the Country Save with vinegar rinse is working well for us too.

[Drummer's Wife]

I agree with adding vinegar - we have hard, well water. Congrats on the new baby!

[labellaluna]

I am so glad that vinegar works for these other mama's, but many suggest not using vinegar in hard water. I personally would not suggest it. Here are some laundry additives that can help with hard water:

1. Use a soapless detergent - hard water can sometimes make it harder to rinse soap out of fabrics, causing them to hold on to smells.
2. Add baking soda/washing soda/ borax to your wash cycle. These are natural water softeners and can help.
3. Do a regular soak in oxy clean free. This helps to break down calcium and mineral deposits left by hard water.
4. STRIP often.

Hope this is helpful. We have VERY hard water and have had great success.

[MayasMama88]

Personally we use Rockin' Green Hard Rock detergent. You can strip your dipes with it as well as do your regular laundry (including the diapers) with it. Our diapers had gotten SOOOO stinky because I was dumb and hadn't been doing a cold pre-wash before each load, and the RnG got them clean and stink-free again (thank god).

[Skinjob]

Originally Posted by MayasMama88

Personally we use Rockin' Green Hard Rock detergent. You can strip your dipes with it as well as do your regular laundry (including the diapers) with it. Our diapers had gotten SOOOO stinky because I was dumb and hadn't been doing a cold pre-wash before each load, and the RnG got them clean and stink-free again (thank god).

Cripes! Is that what I've been doing wrong?? I've been having some stink issues with DD's Gro Via soaker pads. They reek like ammonia after she pees in them. I just switched to Rockin' Green Classic Rock. I'm hoping that, plus adding a cold cycle (no detergent), followed by a hot cycle (with Rockin' Green) will resolve my problem.

[JTA Mom]

With hard water you need to:

1) add softeners. Washing soda is good. Don't be afraid to add an equal amount to your detergent to the wash, every wash.

2) Use MORE detergent. Sounds counterintuitive, but the detergent binds to the minerals in your water. The more minerals, the more detergent is bound up, leaving less to actually clean your diapers.

Those two should solve your problem, regardless of what detergent you use. Most detergent is formulated for middle/slightly hard water. Those of us lucky enough to live in really hard water areas (mine is 'super hard' yay!) have to tweak things a bit. I noticed a HUGE difference once I started adding a lot of my washing soda/borax mix to the wash (I just use half washing soda, half borax, mixed in a big container) along with detergent.

Ami