From what I understand, it depends upon the hardness of your water. I think if you have hard water, you should not use baking soda.
I use vinegar to wash my cloth dipes, but I use it in the rinse cycle to "cut" through the detergent. Here is my washing routine:
1. COLD RINSE. This step is a PREP step to rinse the diapers, not to clean (that's the next step). Set washing machine to "Hot/Cold" and "2nd Rinse" and that's it for the first step, although sometimes I add Bac-Out if the load is particularly soiled.
2. HOT WASH WITH (1) TBL OF REGULAR TIDE, a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil (for scent reasons only - I love the smell of these oils!). Set machine to run long cycle.
3. (1) COLD RINSE WITH A COUPLE OF "GLUGS" OF VINEGAR.
I have never had an issue with detergent build-up and my diapers come out very clean.
HTH!
Laura
I use vinegar to wash my cloth dipes, but I use it in the rinse cycle to "cut" through the detergent. Here is my washing routine:
1. COLD RINSE. This step is a PREP step to rinse the diapers, not to clean (that's the next step). Set washing machine to "Hot/Cold" and "2nd Rinse" and that's it for the first step, although sometimes I add Bac-Out if the load is particularly soiled.
2. HOT WASH WITH (1) TBL OF REGULAR TIDE, a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil (for scent reasons only - I love the smell of these oils!). Set machine to run long cycle.
3. (1) COLD RINSE WITH A COUPLE OF "GLUGS" OF VINEGAR.
I have never had an issue with detergent build-up and my diapers come out very clean.
HTH!
Laura
