Crunchy Bamboo

unaveragejane

I bought two more s'bish bamboo flats (prefolds), and it made me realize that my older ones have gotten really crunchy and scratchy. I tried running them through the dryer, but I can still easily tell the difference b/n the old ones and the new ones. Is this just the natural aging of bamboo, or can I get the softness back?

My wash routine is: warm/warm quick cycle (no soap) extra water; hot/cold cottons cycle (1 to 1.5 scoops Tiny Bubbles), extra water, extra rinse; hot/cold quick cycle (no soap) extra water. I mostly line dry. We haven't got any stink issues or rash issues. I always soak the bamboo in hot water and two squirts of Bac Out for a few hours to a day b/c they're our ON diapers. I think they're getting clean b/c they don't smell at all. They don't even smell like ammonia when I take them off him in the morning (unlike the fitteds we used before which would reek to high heaven). But I feel like there must be something wrong b/c they're so rough. Could they be not clean enough? Have build-up? Should I boil them? What if I stand on my head and chant nursery rhymes backwards? Would that help??

blondolphn

Could you try tossing them in the dryer for about 5 minutes and see if that helps?

TJ1979

Perhaps you should give them a "don't be so rough and scratchy or I'll cut you" look.

CLLDLL

Apply coconut oil twice a day for a week...oh wait wrong solution....

Our AC bamboo gets stiff- ish if we are starting to get mineral build up. I do a washing soda/RLR strip and then a full dry on med. In the dryer. That usually softens them up a lot.

Into+the+Kitty

Mine are not as soft as they used to be. The same thing happens with my sweatshirts etc so I think Ira just kind if the natural life of the material.

Danie007

I agree with MK, a few hot water washes usually do the trick on my bamboozle fitteds.

unaveragejane

blondolphn said:

Could you try tossing them in the dryer for about 5 minutes and see if that helps?

I tried this, but it didn't help. I even tried putting them straight into the dryer after washing, and that didn't help.

CLLDLL said:

Apply coconut oil twice a day for a week...oh wait wrong solution.... Our AC bamboo gets stiff- ish if we are starting to get mineral build up. I do a washing soda/RLR strip and then a full dry on med. In the dryer. That usually softens them up a lot.

How do you do your washing soda strip? I have some, but I don't really know how much to use or anything.

CLLDLL

unaveragejane said:

blondolphn said:

Could you try tossing them in the dryer for about 5 minutes and see if that helps?

I tried this, but it didn't help. I even tried putting them straight into the dryer after washing, and that didn't help.

CLLDLL said:

Apply coconut oil twice a day for a week...oh wait wrong solution....

Our AC bamboo gets stiff- ish if we are starting to get mineral build up. I do a washing soda/RLR strip and then a full dry on med. In the dryer. That usually softens them up a lot.

How do you do your washing soda strip? I have some, but I don't really know how much to use or anything.


I have a FL, so I can't use my washer. I just fill my laundry sink with super hot water and dissolve 1/4 cup washing soda. (I'd say my sink holds around the same amount of water a normal size TL holds. I can fit around 10-15 diapers with room for them to move around.)

Then I let anything without PUL soak for a good 2-4 hours. Then if I'm in a hurry to get them back on the bum I rinse in the bath tub and really work them around Lucille Ball style. Followed by a rinse or two in my washer. If I have more time I just rinse a whole bunch in my washer.

unaveragejane

@CLLDLL - Crap. My utility sink is in the garage (i.e. too stinkin cold to bother with), and both bath tubs are upstairs. Thank goodness my heavy load hauler (DH) is coming home tonight!

marriedinaugust

That's the nature of bamboo. Most Sbish users I know use a plant based fabric softener (Ecover) in the final rinse. Good luck!

freezorburn

This thread got me to take a closer look at my Sbish, which are almost a year old. They are a touch grey and they have never been as soft as I would like. Now that I have a few TTs at my disposal, I was actually in a good position to do a hot water strip of my Sbish (I have 6). I used one of my Calgon tablets and just an extra long hot wash cycle. They are noticeably softer than they were before.

unaveragejane

I think I may order some Calgon. I haven't been able to find it locally, and since we have hard water and will be dealing with diapers for at least 3 more years, it couldn't hurt, right?

freezorburn

Calgon is just a brand name. I wonder if there are any other water softening laundry additives that you could find locally? Have you checked at hardware stores?

bumpuser5078523

If you have an Ace Hardware, they usually carry hard to find things.

unaveragejane

The closest Ace is actually in a small town about 30 minutes away. If it's not too cold today, I'll try Kroger. I forgot that's where I finally found Bac Out last year. I know I can get a pack of Mighty Bubbles at my local CD shop, but it's more than $10 for a package. Would Calgon be cheaper?

CLLDLL

unaveragejane said:

The closest Ace is actually in a small town about 30 minutes away. If it's not too cold today, I'll try Kroger. I forgot that's where I finally found Bac Out last year. I know I can get a pack of Mighty Bubbles at my local CD shop, but it's more than $10 for a package. Would Calgon be cheaper?

Yes.  A bottle of Calgon at my local grocery store is less than $4.  That usually lasts me a good 15-20 loads.