So, all you cloth diapering mamas.... send me some tips! What is your wash routine?? What HE soaps work for you?? Please help me out!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
smelly cloth diapers in an HE washer.....
About two months ago our washer died and we decided to get a top loader, HE washer. My biggest concern while washer shopping was how cloth would wash up in them. Well, two months later and I don't feel any better about my wash routine. I am using Tide Free and Clear, and I feel like no matter what I do, they still still are a little stinky when they come out of the dryer. I also feel like there is never enough water in the machine to get the diapers good and clean.
So, all you cloth diapering mamas.... send me some tips! What is your wash routine?? What HE soaps work for you?? Please help me out!!
So, all you cloth diapering mamas.... send me some tips! What is your wash routine?? What HE soaps work for you?? Please help me out!!
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11 comments:
I'm no help b/c I don't have an HE machine, but I think the detergent chart on Pinstripes and Polkadots specifically lists the HE friendly ones. Kroger carried the Biokleen products which I think are good for CDs and I think there might be an HE one. Good luck!
Add 1/2 cupful of white vinegar to the wash. It'll take the smell away and leave your clothes looking brighter!
Any luck with this? I have an HE also...even after stripping the dipes I still get stink!
I know that tide makes a special detergent for front loaders, maybe you can check that out.
Hey steph! Remember me (Laura - bangerlm) :) I use allens naturally with a dollop of simple green in my front loader. And I push all the buttons (stain wash, pre rinse, post rinse, heavy soil, etc) It takes 3-4 hr, but I set it to go off in the middle of the night, so it works out well. Good luck.
Happy Heiny's sie specifically states the following natural detergents void their warrenty:
Avoid: Dr. Bronner’s Soap • 7th Generation • Bio-Kleen • Ivory Snow • Dreft • Charlie’s • Any ALL free detergents • Sport-Wash & Sensi-Clean have the potential for detergent burn in babies.
This is very contrarry to the info on Polkadots and Pinstripes. I've had good luck with Planet and a presoak on the machine.
I had the same problem....so I started putting vinegar in every load. It makes all the difference! I am using Charlie's at the moment, but I don't think it really gets the rest of our clothes that clean. I am looking into a detergent that I found on Espy.com. I will let you know how it goes.
I know this is a bit late in trying to help you out, but I have a regular load washer (so no help there)-anyway I wanted to tell you to give Charlie's soap a try because it may very well be the Tide. I've always heard that even though it is 'free and clear' it still builds up. Hope my 2 cents helps some.
I have had the same problem since we got our front loader. If your diapers are coming out of the washer smelling, it is because you are not using enough detergent. (Of course, the more detergent, the more you have to rinse or do an extra wash without detergent with a front loader to get it all out.) I have been using planet detergent, the stain wash cycle (hot, high soil level), prewash, and extra rinse but have had probs with the overnight diapers smelling so strongly of ammonia in the morning it is sickening. I am going to try the vinegar. Also thinking of trying Allens, but it is not HE rated and I am afraid it will void my washer's warranty.
I will have to agree with Katie that the detergent list on pinstripes and polkadots is great (and the store owner is also a lot of help with washing probs.)Just to correct two previous posts, the site does not recommend biokleen products. Also, almost all of the ones that would void the warranty on happy heiny's are low rated or have warnings due to additives or potential problems on the list given by pinstripes and polkadots and also it says you should always refer to the diaper for specific washing instructions (such as which detergents void the warranty.)
NO VINEGAR... Urine is acidic, and so is vinegar, this will not help. You need a hydrogen peroxide based detergent, this will neutralize the acid, and therefore take care of the odor.
Yes, urine is acidic but ammonia is base which is what makes the horrible smell with cloth diapers. Vinegar neutralizes ammonia very effectively. If you put hydrogen peroxide on your diapers you're very likely to ruin them.
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