Wash Rutine for HE frontloader

NBGordon

Hello all,

My baby is due in just a couple weeks now and we are expecting a Cesarian section becuase she is still breech. I'd like to have a wash rutine planned so hubby can take on the wash routine while I recover. Here is what I have planned based off my research for an LG HE front loader.

1.

• Perm Press
• Rinse + Spin
• Warm/cold
• no spin (I've heard no spin allows for extra water to stay for the wash, or should I use spin to get out as much poop/pee as possible before wash?

2.

• add Tide original to first line
• Perm press
• stain cycle
• heavy soil
  
• hot/cold

3.

• Rinse + spin
• Warm/cold
• Medium spin

4. line dry pockets and covers. inserts, prefolds and wipes in dryer

I appreciate any advice you can share!

Thanks!

freezorburn

Yes, you want to spin out that first cycle.

The rest looks okay to me.

Good luck with your delivery!

TJ1979

I think you are overthinking this.

1:
Rinse and spin (warm/cold is fine)
(Always spin, or you are washing in pee/poo water)

2:
Regular wash
Tide to 1 line
(Too hot of water will damage the elastic and PUL over time)

3:
Rinse and spin
(My HEFL has an extra rinse option which works for me.  It also has an extra spin option.  I just use those.  If you don't have that option, just another rinse and spin is dandy.)

4:
line dry pockets and covers. inserts, prefolds and wipes in dryer

Brandiewine11

I also have an LG HE front loader. Not sure if you have the same options as I do, but here is my routine:

1. Warm "quick wash" with no detergent and extra water option - you DEFINITELY need a spin in your rinse or you will be washing in pee/poop water

2. Hot wash on "normal" with "heavy duty" soil level. For the NB stage I used Tide to the 1 line, but now only use 2tbsp. When we started using less diapers, we needed less detergent. I also used extra water in this wash cycle during the NB stage but don't need it now.

3. Extra Rinse.

I've recently added an additional rinse as my son has a slight sensitivity to the Tide and I really need to make sure its rinsed well. You likely don't need that. 

From what I have read you do NOT want to use stain cycle with the LG as it adds extra hot water that is too hot for the diapers. Hot wash/heavy soil is sufficient. 

NBGordon

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure I'm over thinking this I don't have an "extra water" option. Is that something I should worry about or can remedy?

Brandiewine11

NBGordon said:

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure I'm over thinking this I don't have an "extra water" option. Is that something I should worry about or can remedy?

Hmmm...maybe double check your manual to make sure? Even if you don't you are probably fine. I've done it without the extra water setting and its been fine. On mine you can choose to use the "load size" sensor or select a load size thus using more water than it would normally use.

You don't want too much water as you want the diapers to rub against each other to get clean. Just give it a shot without worrying about it and if you have issues we can troubleshoot.

hopeby2015

Hate to butt in - but I have a similar machine and was wondering what would be best. I have two settings - prewash and rinse+spin. Which would be best? Unfortunately the manual does not specify what the difference is.

Pic of washer attached.

Brandiewine11

hopeby2015 said:

Hate to butt in - but I have a similar machine and was wondering what would be best. I have two settings - prewash and rinse+spin. Which would be best? Unfortunately the manual does not specify what the difference is. Pic of washer attached.

Best for what? If for your initial rinse, I use the "speed wash" setting. You have the exact same washer as I do, so see above for my exact routine. I said "quick wash" above instead of "speed wash" - that's what I meant. :-)

Prewash is a short wash cycle before the main, all in one without the washer stopping in between. Rinse and spin is only a rinse/spin cycle - not attached to anything else. I decided to use the speed wash instead of the built-in prewash because its a longer cycle than prewash. I just felt like it would do a better job of rinsing. You can try prewash if you want to do everything all at once without having to start the washer again after the speed wash cycle.

TJ1979

I would not recommend doing just the prewash.  I don't trust it.  But I have been successfully using the rinse and spin for my initial rinse for 2 years with no issues.

tjkdlhb

NBGordon said:

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure I'm over thinking this I don't have an "extra water" option. Is that something I should worry about or can remedy?

I don't have an extra water option either. 

I only had issues from not using enough detergent and the wrong kind of detergent. Once I fixed that, my diapers get clean now with my HE machine, no problem.  It's just having the right routine down.

I think you've got a good starting place (provided you spin out the dirty water from the pre-wash!)

I think I benefit from adding Tide to the first wash too... but that may depend on your water type etc.  (I do Line 1 Tide for the prewash and line 3 for the hotwash)

hopeby2015

Ok. Thanks! I'll probably end up doing the quick wash for peace of mind and will definitely steal your routine @Brandiewine11‌! On your step 2 when you say, "I also used extra water in this wash cycle" - do you mean that extra water option on top? - ETA: Never mind, just found the answer to my question! And so glad I don't have to physically add water to the machine like I've read elsewhere!

Kelly11235

My machine doesn't have an "extra water" option, and it's never been a problem.

I choose "short wash" instead of "rinse and spin" because the rinse and spin option on my machine is cold water only, and especially in winter, the cold water is too cold.  Short wash lets me use warm water.

tjkdlhb

hopeby2015 said:

Ok. Thanks! I'll probably end up doing the quick wash for peace of mind and will definitely steal your routine @Brandiewine11‌! On your step 2 when you say, "I also used extra water in this wash cycle" - do you mean that extra water option on top? - ETA: Never mind, just found the answer to my question! And so glad I don't have to physically add water to the machine like I've read elsewhere!

I tried this.  It didn't help and was only frustrating.