Homemade Detergents and Cloth Diapers: Residue, Repelancy, or Build-up?

[Salihah]

I've been looking at the Lehman's homemade detergent starter kit. I like Charlie's Soap but the low cost of homemade detergent is appealing. But I'm concerned the Fels-Naptha may be a problem since it's really a soap. http://www.lehmans.com/store/Home_Goods___Laundry___Washing___Homemade_Laundry_Soap_Starter_Set___1125325

Anyone have actual experience with this or similar homemade detergents?

I use Flip inserts and covers or Bumkins AIO during the day for older babies/toddlers and FuzziBunz at night and use Kissaluvs fitteds with Bummis covers for newborns if that helps.

Thank you!

[ZakareyasMama]

I have used homemade detergent on my diapers for 8 months. I use mainly PFs with covers but I do have a few pockets. My recipe is Borax, washing soda, Ivory soap, and water. I haven't had and problems with buildup. I do use very little (about a tablespoon) and I add a cup of vinegar to every wash too. I actually use this for all my laundry... I can't believe how much money I used to waste on laundry detergent!

[Midwesterner04]

I have used a similar detergent recipe, using unscented castile soap instead of ivory, while traveling. It got the diapers clean and rinsed out very nicely...

After a few uses I decided to add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the first rinse to prevent buildup and it really weakened the laminate on my PUL covers--some of them are a little porous now. I know a lot of people use vinegar, so this might be unique to my particular covers (They are Thirsties Duos)...? In short, I will use the homemade detergent again, but no more vinegar for my Thirsties covers!

HTH!