Hmmmm.... I read on the Diaper Hyena (?? I think!) that using detergent is better for cloth diapers because soap kinda builds up on the cloth, making them less able to absorb. I bought a bottle of Seventh Generation bottles detergent and have been using that on the dipes, and the homemade powder for everything else.
Oh, and I have found that for me a 2:2:1 ratio of soap, washing soda and borax works better for me (1 cup, 1 cup, 1/2 cup), but my water is
so hard.
I use Ivory soap, because I read on the internet that Fels Naptha contains a couple of "toxic" irritants, and Ivory's cheaper
I've also read that some of the other commercial brands (Irish Spring, etc) aren't so good because they have a bunch of additives and Ivory's basically just soap (with tallow, though, eeew... my summer project this year is to learn to make my own soap!)
Unfortunately, I have no links for any of this information, though I do remember (I think!) they were from pretty reputable sources.
Ivory is also awesome as a pre-treatment for stains- rub on, brush with old toothbrush, and voila!
Sorry for yakking! I think about laundry soap a lot.
