[T. Elena]

Got some new unbleached prefolds in the mail. Directions said to wash in very hot water with a harsh detergent such as Tide 3-4, drying in between, to get the natural oils and waxes out of the cloth. Apparently they're ready to go when water absorbs immediately rather than rolling off.

Four washes and dries later, the water is still rolling off. I am using some BioKleen detergent in a front-loading machine (so I don't use much detergent).

What's my problem? Too little soap because I'm using a front loader? Or my earthy-crunchy detergent? Think I could add something natural (but harsh enough to get out the oils and waxes) without buying some Tide? Borax? Vinegar? Baking soda?

Help!

(And these darn diapers didn't shrink nearly enough . . . they're like small baby quilts for #$%%^sake. But that's another story.)

 

[norcalmommy]

Well....I used my cheapo detergent (Sun) with my first batch of UBCPFs and it took about 8-10 washes before the water didn't roll off. With my second batch, I went out and bought some Tide

: , and after 2-3 washes they are absorbing. All of the washes have been in HOT water. I wish I could tell you differently!

 

[SEEPAE]

I used lots of tide on my prefolds and after 6 washes the water still rolled off some. You could boil them.

 

[Book Addict Jen]

They need super hot water!

 

[mamaBlue]

how about boiling them with a speck of dishsoap?

 

[norcalmommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamaBlue how about boiling them with a speck of dishsoap?

OK- here's a question. When I see this suggested, Dawn is always listed as the preferred dishsoap. Is there something special in Dawn, or will any old dishsoap do (Joy, Ajax, Palmolive?)

 

[orangemustang]

I was gonna say wash with a few drops of dawn dishliquid..

 

[T. Elena]

Huh. Well, I wasn't really interested in buying some Dawn, either! But it's looking like I'm going to have to go to a conventional supermarket to get some conventional cleaners that our groovy natural-foods co-op doesn't sell. (Can you even use Tide in a front-loading machine anyway?)

 

[ajsgirl]

You can use Tide in a front loader. I don't have one, but my parents do and they have special "low-suds" Tide. I'm not sure if it's actually called "Low Suds" but something like that.

 

[rgeelan]

I use Purex for everything and it did our CPFs just fine...

 

[saramommy123]

Boil those suckers! Or, I use 7th Gen lavendar HE (that's the brand you're looking for if you get tide) detergent and it worked fine on my indian prefolds.

I have the maytag neptune fl, and it seems to be working fine. But I have some biokleen premium powder on order right now. Can't wait to try it. The liquid is NOT compatible with a front loader (WAY too many suds) and does nothing to clean diapers in my opinion.

Use the water heater option on your machine if you have one.

Also, how old is your baby? Mine is 27" and 17lbs (4.5 months) and he fits great into indian premiums. I also have chinese regulars and those fit so much better than Chinese premiums! Those are just too bulky for us.

Sara

 

[mmskids]

I use regular powder tide in my front loader just 1/8 the regular amount. For diapers, I don't even think I use a full tablespoon. If you don't want to buy an entire box, most laundry-mats sell "one load" size. You should be able to get 3 loads from that one box..

 

[saramommy123]

Oh, I forgot to mention that if you get tide HE do NOT get the powder unless you are cool with a Very strong perfume! I personally am sensative to that type of thing, and the stuff was "blow you over" strong in my opinion! I'd opt for something unscented.

 

[tabitha]

no, you *dont* have to buy commercial soaps at all. biokleen (and the like) works fine. wash and dry and wash and dry - i make it easy and less wasteful by just throwing the prefolds in with the rest of my dirty clothes and diapers, every load i do, until they are ready.

tabitha

 

[T. Elena]

Thanks for all of the ideas. Since these things are so freakin' huge, it would make sense for me to slip them in with the dirty dipes until they're ready to go. Except that I bought so many they take a whole load, practically (in part because they're huge). And, because they're so dang big, I'm wondering if I'm going to have to sell them anyway (in which case washing them with the dirties may be suboptimal). Hmm . . . low sudsing Tide is sounding better.

Ugh, if I could just get them to shrink more! My babe is outgrowing the infant size, but my new ones (blue-stitched chinese premium 4x8x4) are just insanely big -- like, bigger than my baby, who is a rather petite 6 m.o. with a little bottom. I haven't tried getting them on her (should do so just for laughs). If I can fold them up small enough to secure them with a snappi, she will hardly be able to move.

*sigh*

 

[saramommy123]

I understand your fruatration. I've bought a *lot* of things that were not the right fit for us (either size or other issues.) I have found the regulars 4-6-4 used with a doubler was a *much* better fit for my guy who is almost 17lb 4.5 month old. Also, if you read about Indian cotton prefolds, I have found them to be so incredibly soft! And I am checking into whether the regulars 4-6-4 unbleached will be available soon or not. Otherwise, the premiums fit my son just fine. They are different, a bit smaller and it's hard to explain but they just fold easier cause they're softer imo. Just remember next time to always check one before washing everything. Also, if you stick it out you may find that they are only bulky for a short (and very bearable) time. Ask around and see if others have been really unhappy with premiums on that size baby, or if it only took a couple months for them to fit just fine. Good luck!

Sara