[blondekids]

I am sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it in your archives. I have a few questions for those of you who CD and live in an apartment building. I hear a lot of moms talk about doing all kinds of various soaks/washes/rinses, etc that I don't think I could do (without spending a lot of money) in the apartment laundromat. I'll be using prefolds..<br><br>
1. do your diapers get pretty clean even with one wash/rinse/spin?<br>
2. does anybody hang their diapers on their balcony, patio, or in the apartment to save on the cost of drying?<br>
3. does anyone use those small (but not too small) portable washing machines that can hook up to your bathroom sink? (they cost anywhere from 200-400) If so, do they get the diapers clean enough for you? Do you feel this has saved you money? (our water and electric is included in the rent).<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[Susan_McCormack]

Hi! I can't answer your question about apt living but I just wanted to let you know that i just use one wash/rinse/spin cycle and they come out very clean that way.

 

[Max's Mami]

I dont live in an apt but wanted to give you another idea. If you keep a wet pail for poopy diapers and let them soak in there as you take them off the baby until you are ready to go wash then one wash/rinse cycle should get everything perfectly clean.<br><br>
Good luck!

 

[LizaBear]

We live in an apartment.<br><br>
For a long time I rinsed and soaked our diapers in the tub, then rung them out and took them to the laundry room for a hot wash - only once.<br><br>
I brought them upstairs to dry - using the balcony until the management said no more clothing racks on the balconies (GRRRR !!!!)<br><br>
Then I moved on to hand-washing - in the tub - wash with a plunger, then rinse rinse rinse. Hang dry still.<br><br>
Now - we have a full-sized washer in our kitchen ! I LOVE it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><br><br>
But I could get by without it.

 

[mamajules]

I live in an apt. and the biggest drag is hauling the dipes to the laundry. I have thought at least a hundred times about getting a big wagon, but for some reason still haven't. I do at least two full cycles. I used to do a cold wash/cold rinse no detergent then a hot wash w/ detergent & cold rinse but now I do a hot wash w/detergent cold rinse & hot wash/cold rinse no detergent and tto & or lavendar oil. We had some major stink a month back and are just starting to get a handle on a new detergent and wash routine. However, I don't think I'd feel like my dipes were ok with just one wash/rinse. We have hard water so the extra cycle makes me feel better about rinsing any residual detergent.<br><br>
I do use the sun, but not necessarily to save $. I use it for the stain removing quality! With CPF's your drying shouldn't take too long. I have used Kissaluvs, SOS and FF Sleeptights that take forever to dry. When the rest of the dipes are done and they are not, I just hang them outside or in the bathroom to finish.<br><br>
I have thought about a portable washer, but honestly, with our limited space, I think it would be more trouble than it's worth. However, if you've got space for it, I'd at least look into it!<br><br>
Oh, and our laundry room washers have no ability to select just a "rinse" or an "extra rinse" or adjust water level. That kinda sucks but we manage.

 

[Just*Lindsay]

I live in an apt but I have a washer/dryer full size, its SOOOO nice! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> So I guess Im NO help!

 

[JohnnysGirl]

I want to suggest using the mini shower on your poopy dipes before pailing them...that way there is no solid waste going in with your laundry and they've been nicely pre-rinsed before you spend any coins at the laundromat.

 

[lexbeach]

We live in an apt. too!<br><br>
I just make sure to rinse all the poop out before the diaper goes in the pail. That way, I only need to put the diapers through one cycle.<br>
So, here's my system:<br><br>
- rinse all poopy diapers in toilet and sink<br>
- store all dirty diapers in a dry pail with reusable liner<br>
- empty full pail into TWO washers, add the pail liner to one of the washers<br>
- use a hot wash and a little (powder--for some reason works better for us) detergent<br>
- put all the diapers into ONE dryer for one hot cycle<br>
- hang any diapers that are still damp up to dry on a rack inside our apt.<br><br>
I've tried to just hang the diapers to dry without any dryer time, but they turned out really stiff and rough.<br><br>
HTH!<br><br>
Lex

 

[Brisen]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LizaBear</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Then I moved on to hand-washing - in the tub - wash with a plunger, then rinse rinse rinse. Hang dry still.</div>
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Good idea! Thanks for that. I've never been able to find a wash board (not that I've tried too hard) and I've wanted to be prepared to do laundry by hand just in case. Now I have a trick up my sleeve. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[eclipse]

i wash all my diapers in the coin-op downstairs and have rarely had a problem with just one cycle. i got a minishower to hook to my toilet a month or so ago, and that has really made my life easier. as for drying, i don't have a place to hang them (no balcony), so i run them through a few dryer cycles. if something needs to be sunned, i put it on my car dash board (people must think i'm *really* strange :LOL). i have a friend who had one of those portable washers and she loved it.