pocket users with front-loaders - how to avoid poop stink if washing every 2-3 days?

572 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by wawoof, Mar 28, 2006

wawoof

Discussion Starter · Mar 27, 2006

I'm trying to figure out my wash routine now that I have all pocket diapers (except for toddler trainers) and want to wash only every 2-3 days. I'm about to start teaching again and I know I can't handle diaper laundry every day during the workweek. I've had no stink washing cotton diapers daily (in my front-loader), or even weekly if I used a sanitary cycle with oxyclean. However, in my experience, pockets can hold onto poop stink a lot worse than cotton - I remember having trouble with this when DS #1's stash was all FB - I had to wash the same day as he pooped to avoid poop stink. Also, washing poops off immediately with the minishower isn't an option, because many diaper changes will be at daycare. So...

Questions for pocket users with front-loading washers who wash every 2-3 days and don't have poop stink on your pockets:

~ What's your wash routine?
~ Do you do your prewash with all dipes or only poopy ones?
~ Other tips for washing pockets every 2-3 days?

Thanks!

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nonnymoose

· #2 · Mar 27, 2006

I don't have any trouble washing every 2-3 days with a frontloader, and all I have is pockets. Using a FL shouldn't make a difference in how often you have to wash. If you're having trouble with stink, I'd look at stripping or cutting back on detergent.
I do a cold short cycle, followed by a "whitest whites" hot cycle (which has an extra rinse built into it). I use an eighth of a cup of Costco Five-Gallon-Bucket-O'-Suds cheapo detergent, with a teeny squirt of diluted Dawn in the hot cycle.

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wawoof

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 27, 2006

Thanks! That's reassuring - maybe it was a buildup problem before...

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Kindermama

· #4 · Mar 28, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wawoof

~ What's your wash routine?
~ Do you do your prewash with all dipes or only poopy ones?
~ Other tips for washing pockets every 2-3 days?

Thanks!

I use Swaddlebees. I never have a stink problem unless DH uses Tide on them!

:

I wash every 2 days. I first run a cold rinse no detergent. Then I put it on whitest whites cycle (hot wash/cold rinse) and chose extra rinse. I use about 2 drops of Allen's Naturally. That's it!

No stink issues here....unless Tide gets in there!

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dlm194

· #5 · Mar 28, 2006

I don't usually have problems with stink.

I set my washer to do a prerinse, hot wash, cold rinse, extra rinse.
I used 2 tbsp Purex free and clear + vinegar OR baking soda OR BAC out in the bleach dispenser.

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wawoof

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 28, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kindermama
I use Swaddlebees. I never have a stink problem unless DH uses Tide on them!

I'll make sure to avoid the Tide on diapers. Funny, others have said Tide works great for them, but since I have Allen's, I'll use it. I'm wondering why I would have gotten stink with pockets before, because my wash routine was similar to all of yours. The only thing I can think is that maybe I got build-up due to using powdered Allen's Naturally - I read somewhere recently that carbonate-based detergents plus hard water can lead to build-up. Now I have liquid Allen's, which hopefully would be less likely to build-up. Also, my old front-loader didn't have a sanitary cycle, and we had our water heater turned down to 120 degrees to avoid burning our toddler. So maybe washing hotter is a key too.

Thanks for all your suggestions - please keep 'em coming!

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wawoof

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 28, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlm194
I don't usually have problems with stink.

I set my washer to do a prerinse, hot wash, cold rinse, extra rinse.
I used 2 tbsp Purex free and clear + vinegar OR baking soda OR BAC out in the bleach dispenser.

Do you just alternate vinegar/baking soda/Bacout every other wash? Do you have hard or soft water?

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