CD moms...where/what detergent to buy to wash

CarmonEdJ · October 2011

I am new to CDing and need to prepare all the diapers I have purchased from ebay and continue to wash them safely. What detergents can one purchase locally (NE Minneapolis area) or is it cheaper to purchase them online? Also what process should I take in preping them to be used for a new baby?

TIA

jetskreemr · October 2011

We do our shopping at the co-ops, so I buy Earth Friendly Products' Ecos detergent. I get it at the Wedge, but you might be able to find it at the East Side too. I'm a NE Mpls gal too! On the cloth diaper board, there is a document that shows the ratings of a lot of detergents out there, and Ecos got 5 stars I believe, where Seventh Generation and other similar ones didn't get as high a rating.

I believe prepping depends on the brand of diaper you are using. For example, we are using BumGenius, and all we had to do was wash normally once. Others require boiling, or multiple washings or other methods, so you will need to figure it out based on your diapers.

ilovebijou · October 2011

Here's a good site with info on different detergents.

https://www.abbyslane.com/Cloth-101_ep_42-1.html#Q4

We use Tide HE powder for our front loading washer. I used Rockin Green for awhile and it just didn't get our diapers clean. We've had no problems after switching to Tide. I agree with the pp about looking at the diaper manufacturer site about how to wash their diapers. Good luck!

TeaForMe · October 2011

Have you checked out All Things Diapers in Blaine? They also have an online store (https://www.allthingsdiapers.com), blog and other CD info. They are a great resource for learning all about cloth diapering, including washing them. In fact, they offered a free class just this morning on laundering your cloth diapers. I think they will have the class again in November sometime. Definitely check out their website!

stephmarie · October 2011

I use Tide powder and Rockin Green, haven't decided yet which one I think works best. I bought the Rockin Green from Fluff Envy because I liked getting reward points and they have great customer service.

palindrome826 · October 2011

I PPH rockin green! Ive never had any problems and I wont be switching any day soon

We use it on all our clothes too

johnsoar · October 2011

I have always used All Free & Clear...no stink, no problems.

Mich411 · October 2011

First Question - Are you using just your basic cloth diapers with plastic covers? If so, you can use a free & clear. If you are using fuzzibunz or an insert type diaper, I would NOT suggest regular detergents.

I went to a cloth diapering class and one of the biggest mistakes parents make is using free & clear detergents. They leave a build-up on your diapers and frankly, on your baby too. (I was surprised to hear this as my husband has used free & clear for his sensitve skin for years)

We price shopped and went with Charlie's Soap. I ordered a HUGE pail online. It has lasted me over a year. We wash everything in it and my husband's skin has improved too.

Note that I washed a few old rags three times in my washer (with Charlie's Soap) before doing my diapers as the soap cleans your washer if you used other things previously (we did) and I did not want the residue on my diapers. Here is how I prepared my diapers ahead of time (I use FuzziBunz). Rinsed in HOT without soap, washed in cold with soap & extra rinse, then did one last rinse only cycle.

I rinse out my diapers after each changing before putting them in the wet bag. So as for washing, I do a cold rinse (no soap), then I have a stainwash-cold option on my washer, with extra rinse. I put the soap in the prewash not the wash part so it essentially rinses the soap twice. (If you don't have a stainwash option here is the breakdown = prewash (cold) regular amount of soap, main wash (cold) tiny amount of soap, then rinse followed by an extra rinse)

You can wash your diapers as you chose but my advice is rinse them on cold FIRST to avoid having to streak your diapers later. Note, I have used the same diapers for 14 months and have NOT had to streak them yet. So it's all in how you care for them.

Congrats!

preg_amy · October 2011

I buy Charlie's Soap from Peapods, in St. Paul (St. Anthony Park area). They also have a bunch of other kinds of cloth diaper detergent, too.

I do a cold wash first, with presoak and soap. Then I do a hot wash with soap (no presoak). Then I just do a cold rinse only. It took a little bit to get the routine down. At first, I wasn't adding soap to the first wash and I didn't do the presoak... but I was left with the little BF poop "seeds" on the diapers (gross, I know). But with this one, it's good and it rinses well enough. My water is kind of hard, but I still don't ever have any residue.

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