Quote:
Originally Posted by yaseensmommy  So what exactly IS the oxybaby used for? Just stains?
I am so glad to hear you love charlies. I did do 2 loads with a few washcloths with charlies to get the residue out of the washer. We use Tide and Downy, so I feel like I need to switch to charlies for all of my laundry because it doesn't make sense to use it, then turn around and use tide and downy (and my hand is heavy with the downy!). Do you use it for all of your laundry, or just CD's? If you do, does it clean big people clothes as well as it does baby stuff?
|
Absolutely ditch the Tide and Downey -- they are both leaving all kinds of crud on your clothes and your washer.
I had no clue when we first started that was the case, but I ended up stripping our towels (they'd smell musty after only one or two uses) and turns out it was the detergent and softeners leaving residue behind.
Charlie's cleans DOG BEDS. Seriously. It is amazing stuff. If you're wanting a softer feel on your clothes, ditch the Downey and get some clear vinegar. Add it to the rinse cycle. It won't smell (rinses out) but works just as well as a softener but without the residue crap.
It was hard to give up my softener though as I loved the smell. But once I started using Charlie's for everything I realized I wasn't having as many issues with skin irritation. And I liked my clothes being clean and not smelling perfumey. Once the baby arrived I was totally paranoid about perfumes and such and these are things I'd never noticed or thought about before I had her. Babies get acne from being touched -- the oils on people's skin or lotions, or soaps, even. Their skin is so sensitive and porous (esp. before 6 months) that any kind of perfumey stuff on clothes or blankets can irritate their skin.
Anyway. Ditch the other stuff and use Charlie's for everything. If you are using Downey to deal with static, wad up aluminum foil and stick the ball in your dryer.
The only thing I used Oxiclean for were stains or yellowing and honestly it doesn't rinse out cleanly for me with my inserts, but I have an older washer. I ended up having to strip my inserts from using Oxiclean. Most people use it and have no issues, but heck even Borax can leave a residue at times, so it really depends on using it only when you need, and only if it works for you and your washer. Some people use OC instead of chlorine bleach. The only time you should need to use bleach is if you're dealing with a virus, IME. Charlie's, vinegar and sunshine work great for keeping things white.
Vinegar works great for yellowing and Bac-Out gets rid of stains if I'm impatient and not wanting to let the Charlie's sit on something for a while. The only stain Charlie's hasn't gotten out for me is rust. Everything else? Including blueberry-based breastfed poop? Yep. Might take sitting with Charlie's on it through a couple washings but it gets the stuff out.
(Can you tell I love their stuff? hehe.)
Anyway, I'd pick up a bottle of Simple Green (auto dept Target) and do a hot empty load (or toss in an old ratty towel) and that will remove all the residue buildup instantly. That way you don't have to worry about Charlie's having to do double duty to clean your washer and your diapers. But if you keep using Tide and Downey then there's a good chance that the Charlie's might not work as well because everytime you wash dipes, it's having to clean your washer too.
And because of this, it can result in residue buildup being deposited on clothes or diapers, which can result in skin irritation. We used All F&C for years, then switched to 7th Generation, and used Charlie's for the dipes. I realized our washer had residue (because of the towels stinking), got some Simple Green, cleaned the washer, and stopped using any detergent other than Charlie's.
Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy and hooray! For deciding to use cloth diapers.
). I buy the gallon jug size (with the pump -- it dispenses the 1/8 cup needed per load) so that way I don't have to worry about ordering more for a Very. Long. Time. And shipping is free. 
Follow Mothering