New to CD...question about detergent? Confused! :-)

I use Charlie's Soap, the liquid version. There is nothing wrong with using the liquid version on fleece (we use Fuzzi Bunz). At 1/8c per large load, it's WAY cheaper in the longrun than both mainstream detergents and Allens Naturally.

Also Charlie's is 100% water soluble, natural, earth-friendly, works great and has no added softeners nor brighteners (ALL the mainstream detergents, even the "free and clear" ones have added brighteners now -- they are not required by law to put all their ingredients on the label), as these things coat dipes and affect absorbancy.

Coated dipes require stripping, which can cause them to break down faster and not last as long. Plus it's a PITA.

We use a dry pail and wash cold soak with 1/8c Charlie's, followed by hot wash with 1/8c, followed by cold rinse.

Any inserts that sat poopified for too long and retain a stain, I squirt Charlie's directly on, then toss back in the pail to sit until next wash. (We have backup inserts for this.)

Works like a charm.

Dry on low with dryer balls if you like -- NO sheets.

And wash like with like. If you're using fleece products, don't wash any natural fibers with them else you'll get pilling. If anything, using a powder on fleece can cause minor pilling, but it's more an issue of other fibers being washed with it. Make sense?

And for what it's worth -- I have very sensitive skin and used All F&C on my clothes. Now I use Charlie's. On everything. It's outstanding.

HTH.

ETA: Don't use the "natural" detergents on dipes either. While they may be great for clothes (I like 7th Gen personally), they have natural plant oils that can coat dipes. Stick with water soluble detergents like Charlie's, Allens, SportsWash or BioKleen (haven't used the last two but hear they are okay to use).

Thanks for all the replies! This has helped so much! The link that explains the different detergents was great! I used to use Tide on our clothes before we had kids...but I switched to Dreft once I had my first baby and just more recently switched to All F&C since it was cheaper to wash ALL our clothes in that rather than in Dreft. My skin actually stopped getting rashes too once I stopped the Tide...so I'm kind of afraid to try that one with the dipes. Charlies Soap and Allen's Naturally were two that I was considering though...but a few sites said it wasn't as effective with hard water and we have well water....not sure HOW hard it is but I think I'm going to order the Charlier's Soap and give it a shot.

nighten----Thanks for all the info! I really didn't realize you could use liquid detergent on fleece products....everything I've ever read says not to....but I think I will give it a shot since you said that the powder can cause slight piling on fleece. I'm going to order the Charlie's Soap tonight and try it out. What is a dryer ball? Never heard of that before? Of course, I've never been big on fabric sheets because I hate the feel they leave on my hands so I don't ever use those anyway...maybe some of my other laundry would look better if I did though, huh? Anyway...thanks for all the info...it not only gives me an idea of what detergent to use but also an idea of the washing technique I could try.

ANyone know if I should try stripping the four or five dipes that I did wash with All F&C and Dreft Powder? I washed a few (the ones I bought to test out to see what I liked) maybe 6 times or so....should I try using some Dawn on those in the sink and rewash with the Charlie's Soap once I receive it?

I will definitely call Charlie's Soap before I order it to see what they say about the well water....and I'm SOLD on those dryer balls! I had to read no further than the part about how it reduces wrinkling and therefore reduces ironing needs....woohoo! Enough said!

I will search for the Bac-out too....sounds like good stuff!

Thanks again everyone!