What am I doing wrong? - Page 2

[boomer78]

I apologize for not replying, I never checked any replies past my last one.    Thank you all!!!

I'm STILL working on softening them up...can you believe it?  I just can't give up!  

They're getting so much worse!  I'm usually washing less diaper than before, but they seemed to have gradually gone away on their own.  But boy are they rough!!!  I have tried vinegar, as much as 1c, in the last rinse - no difference. Not slight.  I have tried Borax.  Calgon.  Nothing.  I dried on hot, medium, even delicate, and use dryer balls (only 2, have to buy more).

I'm again stripping with Calgon tommorrow.  I DID get bubbles when I used Calgon - but when I'm done rinsing (It's true I only did 3 rinses - could that be why?) I have no suds.  And they came out rougher than ever.  I don't understand.

We have VERY hard water according to a chart. 

I'm reading conflicting info on Borax.  Some swear by it, others say they would never use it as it's very toxic. 

My last resort is - Ecover.  Haven't bought it yet.  I was trying to avoid a fabric softener.  But when our prefolds are getting rougher each time I wash them...my poor baby...ouch!

[boomer78]

Yes Yes Yes I have finally done it!  Borax did nothing, Calgon did nothing.  Ecover definitely made them softer but, only by a little, because I only used a very small amount of it.  BUT using a small amount of Calgon with every wash has solved my problem.  I don't even need to use Ecover anymore!!!!!!!!!  Now I'm waiting for a portable washer so I don't have to spend a fortune on a coin-op machine numerous times a week. 

I'm so happy!!!  They're sooooo soft and fluffy!  Hope it lasts!

[beckington]

I'm having the same problem! But strangely only with my orange edge GMD prefolds, not my yellow! Now the yellow haven't been washed quite as often, but not far off. Did your baby's diaper rash clear up once you sorted the problem? My little guy has been getting one recently and I was wondering if it was the prefolds or something else (eg my diet). So Calgon is a water softener? I wonder if we have that here or not - I'll have a look. And you use a little in each wash? We probably won't be using the orange edge much longer so I wasn't too worried about it, but am worried it'll start happening to the yellow ones if it's something to do with how we are washing them! :(