Cleaning cloth diapers?

Tracy - posted on 07/07/2009

I'll second the sunning Carlyn. I'm doing that right now! I didn't think it would work very well when I was first told to do it, but it does work like a charm! I sun just about every load now that it is summer, now. Really does get rid of most pooppy stains. As for detergent I am currently using biokleen, but when that is out I'm just going to use the detergent I made and use for all the other clothes. There's nothing in it that is bad for diapers, and it is super low sudsing, so is perfectly fine for HE washers.

Carlyn - posted on 07/07/2009

I, too, have an HE washer. No, vinegar will not hurt your washer. I use Charles Soap, which you have to order online but is great for HE washers. When I want to use it, I add vinegar to the fabric softener compartment so that it is added to the rinse water. (bleach compartment is added to the wash). I only use it sometimes. I also bleach sometimes. It is fine to bleach your inserts or prefolds, but if you bleach your PUL liners or pockets all the time, they will break down and start leaking after about 6-8 months. Some moms don't care since your baby will most likely outgrow the sized ones, but if you have one size diapers or pockets, or if you plan to sell your diapers when you are done with them, you might want to keep that in mind. For the really poppy diapers, I've found nothing beats sunning them when they are still wet from the wash. That really helps remove both the stains and any lingering smells.

Kathy - posted on 07/07/2009

Does vinegar work on really poopy diapers?

Tracy - posted on 07/07/2009

I use white vinegar in every wash. It works great for us, and there is never a vinegar smell. I put it in where the softener would be so that it's in the final rinse. I never use bleach for anything anymore.

Julie - posted on 07/07/2009

I have used the bleach and at other times vinegar in my front loading bosch washer.. I have had no problems.

Personally, I dont see how the detergent can *ruin* it... just by mechanics... I dont get the whole HE detergent thing. I just use less then the recommended amount of regular detergent, my washer is about oh, id say 4 yrs old now... everything is great!
I

Aislin - posted on 07/07/2009

Actually here is a very easy cheap method for making fabric softener: fill a soda bottle 1/2 way with white vinegar, 1/4 way with warm water, and 1/4 with inexpensive hair conditioner. Then you would put the fabric softener in the fabric softener area of the washing machine. I think that fabric softener is made from vinegar and chemicals to overpower the vinegar smell. Vinegar gets rid of the detergent you used to clean the diapers. Also you want to add a little bit of dish washing liquid soap to cut through the Vaseline and diaper rash cream you use so the diapers are more absorbent. After a while, the diapers wick or let water roll off if you don't add dish washing liquid every once and a while.