Hard Water Question

sweetrhythms

So, I just found out (after CDing for 3 months) that my water is very hard.  We have a water softener but I think it's either just not getting the job done or needs to be fixed.  Anyway, I bought some Calgon but is there anything I need to do to my diapers (strip?) or any problems I should look for that I may have accidentally caused by not softening my water?  They seem clean to me and I think the way they smell in the AM is just because she's been in them so long but I don't know what's normal because this is my first time CDing.  I use tide powder and I have an old front loader.  My stash consists of mostly pockets (BG, Cartoon and Happy Flutes) and prefolds.  Thanks!

nanabanana06

I use 1/2 cap of calgon in the wash. Seems to be working for me! I normally do an RLR soak every other month as well.

sweetrhythms

How do you do an RLR soak?  Do you soak them in the tub and then do a regular wash routine after that?

nanabanana06

Yup. I fill the tub full of super hot water and dissolve 1 packet in. I then add in all my dipes and inserts and soak them for a few hours. PUL only stays in for 2 hours, the rest can stay in overnight. I then drain and transfer to the machine to rinse like hell.

sweetrhythms

Nana_Osaki06  I love CDing but it definitely comes with a learning curve!

sweetrhythms

I don't *think* I'm having problems but I sort of just wanted to see if there's anything I should look out for.  The inserts and prefolds are definitely stiff if I don't stick them in the dryer on low which I think is related to the hardness of the water.  I'm going to try adding calgon and see if that helps them because I don't think they should be so stiff.

I do soak the overnight ones.  Thanks! 

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sweetrhythms

I am learning so much about water and washing machines I feel like I could be a plumber.  

I agree with you that if it's not broke I shouldn't fix it but what led me to check my water hardness was that my diapers don't outright stink but they smell just a little...off.  I don't know if that's because she's still BF and therefore her poop doesn't smell enough for the diapers to really stink or what.  Maybe that's just the way diapers smell!  My husband says they don't smell so maybe I'm just imagining things.  I just feel like my routine needs a little tweaking.

Thanks for the feedback, ladies!