Front load washer - Which detergent?

mom2case · October 2011

I used to have a "normal" washer and it was great at cleaning my LO's diapers. We have a front loading high efficiency washer now and my diapers haven't been properly cleaned since we started using it. I'm hoping that maybe I'm using the wrong detergent. I've tried All Free and Clear, Tide original he, and straight up baking soda. If I put even the slightest bit too much detergent, my washer will be on a suds cycle for hours. If I put too little, they still smell. Grrrrr.... I want my old washer back! What do you use to measure the amount you put in? I know rockin' green sells a specific scoop but I don't know if it's meant for high efficiency washers. Thanks in advance

HannahsHope · October 2011

I have Rockin Green. And the directions state to use 1-2 TBSP for HE washers. My liners are fleece/microfiber (we use the Soft Bums system) and 2 TBSP works good for us. I do a cold rinse, and a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with the "soil level" on high. Hope this makes sense.

tokenhoser · October 2011

I would try to trick it into using more water - add a wet towel or run the pre-rinse with no spin.

I use the scoop that came with my oxyclean (= 1 tbsp).

It sounds like you have soft water, so you could try the Rockin Green formulated for soft water. RNG didn't work well for me, but I have fairly hard water.

Mind the Gap · October 2011

I have an LG front loader and I had stink issues until I started using Rockin Green Hard Rock (I live in a very hard water area). I only use 1T (I just grabbed a Tablespoon from one of my kitchen measuring spoon sets and now it lives by the washer) and my diapers come out really clean with no soap residue and no stink. I wash every 2-3 days so it's around 20-24 diapers per load.

mom2case · October 2011

I'll go buy some Rockin' Green today. I did some research online last night and read about the towel trick. I also read that you can pause the cycle and add water through the tray. My washer won't let me open the door if there is water inside, so I can't add water into the barrel. I am curious though, do you always use the same towel with your diapers? Also, is it dripping wet when you put it in the washer? Do you wet it again between the rinse cycle and the actual wash cycle? Thanks Stick out tongue

tokenhoser · October 2011

I prefer to do the slow or no spin on the pre-rinse to get more water. It's just easier to me than messing around with wet towels.

Make sure to get the SOFT rock version if you're dealing with suds issues. Most of the posters (me included) have hard water issues. If you're getting loads of suds, that suggests you've got really soft water. Getting a soft water version will mean you can use more detergent without having the suds issue.

barefootally · October 2011

I also have an HE front loader machine. I use Charlie's Soap and my routine is the following: a rinse cycle, no spin w/ extra rinse; then heavy duty load w/ 1/2 scoop of Charlie's w/ extra rinse. If I have an extra large load of dipes {i.e. if I forget to wash dipes the morning of the third day}, I add an extra large pitcher of hot water to the wash cycle after it fills with water.

I don't use a diaper sprayer, but I do spray all poopy diapers with Bac-Out before they go into the pail.

So far I've had zero issues with stains or stink. Until then, I won't be changing my routine. : )

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Front load washer - Which detergent?

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