Detergents? - Page 2

[other1]

I second the Country Save recommendation! Best for cloth diapers, baby clothes, and even carpenter husband's dirty work clothes. Cleans well without creepy scents or skin irritation and is very cheap.

[KABB]

I really, truly, haven't found a diaper detergent (or detergent that could be used on cloth diapers) that I have thought was the greatest thing since sliced bread and I have tried a lot of detergents, both available online and in-stores. My main issue is that no matter what I use I still have to strip on a regular basis or throw some chlorine free bleach in with my stuff on a regular basis. Instead of telling you what you should buy I'll tell you want I avoid. 

-Liquid anything detergent

-Rockin' Green, especially if your child has sensitive skin.

-Anything with scent to it or fragrance oils added...if it smells perfumie skip it. If you try it and your diapers smell afterward there is residue on your diapers and you need to wash them/rinse them until they no longer smell. Clean diapers should not smell like anything (good or bad). 

-Bleach, unless the manufacturer of the diapers you are using OK it.

I have actually used Country Save, both types. They're OK...they get the job done for the most part. Like I said though, I haven't found a detergent I truly, truly love and have decided to use exclusively. I personally look for something with enzymes in it, which is very, very hard to find in cloth diapering detergents. I notice that if I use something with Enzymes my diapers come cleaner faster. My main issue with that is the extra cost of supplementing cloth diapering laundry with an Ezyme if I use a detergent without one. Currently I use bumGenius odor remover when I really need it (because I think it is rather expensive). 

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by KABB 

I really, truly, haven't found a diaper detergent (or detergent that could be used on cloth diapers) that I have thought was the greatest thing since sliced bread and I have tried a lot of detergents, both available online and in-stores. My main issue is that no matter what I use I still have to strip on a regular basis or throw some chlorine free bleach in with my stuff on a regular basis. Instead of telling you what you should buy I'll tell you want I avoid. 

-Liquid anything detergent

-Rockin' Green, especially if your child has sensitive skin.

-Anything with scent to it or fragrance oils added...if it smells perfumie skip it. If you try it and your diapers smell afterward there is residue on your diapers and you need to wash them/rinse them until they no longer smell. Clean diapers should not smell like anything (good or bad). 

-Bleach, unless the manufacturer of the diapers you are using OK it.

I have actually used Country Save, both types. They're OK...they get the job done for the most part. Like I said though, I haven't found a detergent I truly, truly love and have decided to use exclusively. I personally look for something with enzymes in it, which is very, very hard to find in cloth diapering detergents. I notice that if I use something with Enzymes my diapers come cleaner faster. My main issue with that is the extra cost of supplementing cloth diapering laundry with an Ezyme if I use a detergent without one. Currently I use bumGenius odor remover when I really need it (because I think it is rather expensive). 

I love enzymes for my clothes but it gives my kids a rash if I use it on diapers.  Wish I could, though.  If you like enzymes, try BioKleen Premium Plus powder - it's faaaaaaaaaaaabulous.

 

[Amanda1]

We use soap nuts for all of our wash, diapers, stinky soccer uniforms, bedding, clothes...everything. I have never had any problem with build up in my diapers and a year later have never needed to strip them ( I use a combo of bumgenius, bamboozles and thirsties). There are no chemicals, you just throw the nuts into the wash (in a muslin bag) and take them out before the dryer.

You can get 1 kg on line for about $35 and they lasted me 10 months of laundry for all 3 of us ( you can stretch it even more if you make it into liquid first!)

i try to get everyone I know to use them, they are eco friendly, good for the babies and good for the pocket book!!

[KABB]

I used soap nuts and they were one of the worst things we used. They did not clean well and left the diapers dingy looking. 

As far an Enzymes go, something like BioKleen and even the bumGeniu odor remover is going to be different than the Enzymes in the detergents, it's another reason why I prefer a detergent with Enzyme IN it. bumGenius odor remover is a class of it's own (I think anyway) since they're microbes...if you have a problem with one you may not have such an issue with the other.

[greenmama66]

Charlies soap and Country Save.

[NessieO]

How do you make the liquid and how much do you use in the wash? Thanks!
 

Originally Posted by Amanda1 

We use soap nuts for all of our wash, diapers, stinky soccer uniforms, bedding, clothes...everything. I have never had any problem with build up in my diapers and a year later have never needed to strip them ( I use a combo of bumgenius, bamboozles and thirsties). There are no chemicals, you just throw the nuts into the wash (in a muslin bag) and take them out before the dryer.

You can get 1 kg on line for about $35 and they lasted me 10 months of laundry for all 3 of us ( you can stretch it even more if you make it into liquid first!)

i try to get everyone I know to use them, they are eco friendly, good for the babies and good for the pocket book!!

[teraze]

I use regular old original Tide powder after reading from a reputable AIO product website that it was fine to do so.  While my babe has had no problems with rash or other signs of irritation, I can tell the inserts are starting to feel a little rough, sort of "crunchy."  I know this for sure because we use bumGenius 4.0s and use the bigger inserts.  The newborn inserts (mostly unused - we bought the AIOs at 4ish months old) are soooooo much softer than the big inserts.  After I'm done with this box I'm going to switch to Tide Free.  I want to head off any problems and like you, OP, would like to be able to just pick up the detergent at the grocery store.

[Amanda1]

I have actualy never made the liquid...its on my list of things to do some day. The instructions are usualy on the package though. I know it consists of boiling a few nuts with water for a few hours, you can do it in the crock pot too.

Sorry I cant be of more help

Originally Posted by NessieO 

How do you make the liquid and how much do you use in the wash? Thanks!
 

[mamaprovides]

I was using Arm & Hammer but when we had some problems with absorbency, Bummis gave a list of approved detergents. I can't remember the list now, but I settled on Seventh Generation Free. I get about 50 loads from one bottle. I called 7th gen and spoke to them about this and they threatened to get rid of the detergent. I asked them to reconsider as it was the best soap I could find. (I did order 2 cases from my coop asap) In speaking to them they did tell me that the 7th gen BABY detergent had twice as many enzymes as before to help with stain fighting.

Me, I use prefolds and diaper covers. I have used pocket diapers as well as some AIOs. I would not recommend harsh detergents to wash diapers. The PUL will breakdown as will the elastic. And if you have fleece or wool diaper covers, this may lead to some problems as well. This will compromise the absorbency. Now if you are only diapering one child it hardly matters until they are older. If you are diapering several or looking to sell your diapers at the end, I would use something the diaper cover people (like Bummis) recommend.

As far as cleaning diapers go, I have found that the soak cycle makes all the difference. I make sure to never fill the washer more then half way. I soak with Baking Soda for about 20 minutes then I do a soak with Hydrogen Peroxide for about 10 minutes. Then I wash with soap and vinegar as I'm sure you do. I have found the Hydrogen peroxide does take out the smell which is a sign of bacteria. Since I am diapering two at the same time, I find this is the best way to keep some rashes from jumping or starting in the first place but also find that I don't have to have two bins or whatever.

In finding a soap to wash your diapers, you want something with no color enhancers, optical brighteners, or enzymes. Anything you can find that fits should be able to wash your diapers and covers.

Good luck.

m

[Petite Bottoms]

I just got a new detergent in the other day called Redemption Soap, it's locally made here, love it!

[TwinMum3]

Are the brands mentioned compatible with He washers?  Does it matter?  With our previous washer we used the All Free and Clear without any problems but that one was not He.  

[matte]

I use Country Save in a front-loading He washer. Works very well for me (but ymmv). I make sure to use the smaller amount (man, a box of that stuff lasts FOREVER with a He machine) and I dissolve it in about 3 cups of hot water before putting it in (just like one would with any powder).

[Katarianna]

I don't find ordering online a hassle either. I ordered two tubs of Charlies Soap before the baby was born he is 4 months old now and I have used maybe half of one container. So ordering soap once a year is so not a big deal to me. It would be MUCH more work to buy something just because you can find it in your local store and end up having to strip constantly.

[Minalas]

I'm using Charlie Soap and loved it so much I use it on all our laundry. I can buy it at two different stores in my town, both also sell cloth diapers.

[jessica1124]

Tide the best

[1love4ever]

I use Ecos, which is the only natural detergent in my town.  I also use Green Works oxygen bleach, and vinegar every time I wash them.  And use hot water, the water plus button on my HE washer, and the heavy soil setting.  After awhile, my diapers start to stink a little when DD pees in them, so I have to use a tiny bit of chlorine bleach in the load every few months:(  

[Eco Ima]

I have always used Nature Clean (a Canadian company), not sure if it is available else where?  I use Bummis prefolds with covers (also Canadian) and they have very good customer service. I have still had to strip a few times, after using the same diapers for about  3 years.  I was told that Nature Clean is fine to use, but when stripping that I can also add Bleach, which I did not do. I guess that I would still prefer to use a detergent that has no "unatural" or non renewable ingredients in it.

Either way, here is a list compiled by Bummis on which detergents are ok. On the Bummis site, there is also a great deal of info on residue etc. on their site.

http://www.bummis.com/media/detergent-information.pdf

[cadybh]

We started off with Charlie's Soap Powder (which we use for everything and adore), but after about 9 months of continual diaper use we found our son was getting rashes and it was from buildup in the diapers.  We switched to Tide Original Powder and he's been rash free since.  For what it's worth, we have a high efficiency machine and town water.

[celestialval]

We've always used All free & clear and have never had a problem:-)