questions about mama cloth washing techniques

[allmine]

The only mama cloth I have are some I made years ago. I made them from some repurposed towels and receiving blankets. I made them with wings. They don't have snaps , though, so I have to pin them under my panties with a diaper pin.

I have a heavy flow. when I use them I have to rinse them and rinse them and rinse them for them to come clean. then, wash them in the washer, but it always takes a full cycle and then at least an extra rinse.

is there something I am doing wrong? I here folks tell of how they just toss them in a dry pail and even wash them with their diapers. It would literally turn everything pink if I did this and they would NOT come clean, even if washing them w/o diapers. I feel I HAVE to rinse/wring them out several times before they hit the washer.

This is the MAIN reason I gave up on mama cloth. And, I just don't have the $$ to buy some ready made mama cloth right now. I need to use mine OR just buy aldi cheapo pads to tide myself over.

what am I doing wrong?

[Think of Winter]

I've had trouble getting mine really clean, too. Last month I started filling the washer the minimum and tossing them in as soon as I take them off, letting them soak, spinning that water out, then running the regular wash. Make sure you use cold water.

When I get around to making my own, I want to try to leave as much of the sides open as possible so they can get cleaner inside. Has anyone tried that? I don't like a lot of layers because it seems like they won't get clean all the way through.

[allmine]

Originally Posted by Think of Winter

I've had trouble getting mine really clean, too. Last month I started filling the washer the minimum and tossing them in as soon as I take them off, letting them soak, spinning that water out, then running the regular wash. Make sure you use cold water.

When I get around to making my own, I want to try to leave as much of the sides open as possible so they can get cleaner inside. Has anyone tried that? I don't like a lot of layers because it seems like they won't get clean all the way through.

you know what, that's not a bad idea. BUT, it won't work for me because my washer and dryer are in the basement and our only bathrooms are upstairs...it just probably won't seem practical for me to go down there after each change. plus, we have so many in our family that we are doing laundry CONSTANTLY it seems. I just can't tie up the washer this way.

I too wonder if the many layers is the problem. leaving them open on the side is a good idea, I think.

[PatienceAndLove]

It may be the layers.

I was looking at Skoon mama pads, and they seem to work like a prefold. That type of pad may be better for you by way of cleaning.

[Ola_]

One style of pad (that I have not personally used) has a bottom "holder" pad and inserts that you put in it for more absorbency. Some use snaps for this, others have little elastic or fabric bands that go across the top and bottom of the pad. Then you can just use the pad for light days, 2-3 inserts for heavy days, etc. Then each insert is not that thick and might be easier to wash?

My washer is in the basement too and sometimes I use what basically seems to be the wet pail method. Just a bucket that sits beside the tub with some water, that way I can let the pads soak a bit, squishing them when I pass the bathroom. I was doing it in the sink but then it was a pain when others wanted to use it - but you could do that if you have a guest bathroom or something. After a little soaking and squishing they seemed to rinse out better. I also don't like stains and it seemed to help with that as well.

[PatienceAndLove]

luna pads are that way. i think it actually absorbs better, and is more comfy.

[nicky85]

I used a soaking bucket and just tossed mine in the cold water right away. I found it helped a lot with stains and getting them clean. I also thought it was really convenient to just toss them into the bucket by the toilet. I liked my soaking bucket better than tossing disposable pads and tampons in the garbage.

[ASusan]

Another soaker here. I started using mama cloth during my miscarriage, and I bled a LOT for several weeks. I kept a wet pail (maybe with a sprinkle of oxyclean?) and tossed it into the washer for a cold rinse, then a regular wash.

[SuzyLee]

I throw mine in the regular wash. They have never stained anything. Just because blood is coming out in the water doesn't mean it will stain the other stuff.

But... if that doesn't work for you I would just let them soak in a little bucket overnight and then squeeze them out and throw them in with the regular or diaper laundry. I have an old empty oxiclean bucket that is perfect for soaking a few pads or 1 article of clothing if the kids stained something.

[Jane]

I just throw mine in the wash with my other underwear. I pull them out before the dryer and rewash with the next load. No special treatment.
I'd suggest a bucket with a lid if you're having issues getting them clean. Just do a wet pail.

[tea_time]

I spray mine with bac-out. I used to rinse first and even hand wash a bit, but the bac-out works better.

I wash mine with regular loads and/or diapers.

[PatienceAndLove]

i "dry pail" mine until wash day.  When I get up that morning, I put them on to soak in 1/2c borax. When I ready to wash towels, I dump out the soaking water and throw my pads in with the towels, along with another 1/2c borax and a scoop of Charlies.  If they are particularly stained, I spray them with Charlie's All-Purpose before I soak them, and then before they go in the wash.  But, honestly, the staining doesn't bother me, so I hardly ever "treat" them.

[gmvh]

I toss mine in the bathtub.  If I'm showering, I'll stomp on them while showering and that gets a lot of the blood out.  Sometimes I'll fill a tiny amount of water in the tub and soak them there.  Our tub drain isn't perfect so by the end of the day, it's usually let the water leak down the drain.  When I'm done with them for a month, I scoop them up and take them to the basement to be washed with a load of linens.

[e13lorena]

I use a dry pail and wash when I wash my other cloth items - toilet wipes, washcloths, towels, rags, cloth napkins.

Almost all of my cloth pads are ones that come apart when washed - meaning they're folded when I wear them and then when washed they unfold. I put them in a dry pail and wash at the end of my cycle - I run a full rinse in the washer, then add my toilet wipes and rinse again, then run a load with towels, washcloths, cloth napkins, along with an extra rinse.

I used to use a wet pail - but it got so... stinky. I would have to dump it everyday and add new water to it.

Erin