If you have hard water and a top loader.....

Chickandtaco · February 2012

What detergent do you use and what is your wash routine? I think it's time for me to mix mine up. This is what I'm currently doing:

Hot wash with RnG (3 tbsp)

Cold wash with nothing

Having amonia problems.

Ltlsktl30 · February 2012

I have somewhat hard water and I use Country Save soap (bought it at a boutique baby store for $20 and it's already lasted me 5-6 months). I use 1/2 to 3/4 scoop depending on size of load.

Quick Cold Rinse

Hot Wash (longest Cycle)

Extra Cold Rinse

Every other time I usually add in a short wash after the first cold rinse just to get everything clean.

I did try RnG and had amonia problems.

sosoph · February 2012

warm rinse (more likely to dissolve oils in poo residue)

hot wash with tide and softener (calgon or borax)- add softener first

extra rinse

mommabear530 · February 2012

We have a top loader and hard water.

I do a cold wash with nothing added.

Then a hot soak overnight (by leaving the door open)

Then I add detergent (All Free and Clear to level 3) and wash with an extra rinse.

Tumble dry on low.

It works fantastically for us. We had a few issues during the recent drought with stinkies, at which time I added 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 Tbsps baking soda to the hot wash with the detergent, then did 2 cold rinses instead of 1.

Hope you find something that works for you quickly!

LesleyH11 · February 2012

I have a top loader and have super hard water.

I do a cold pre-wash.

A hot wash for the longest time available with RnG (3 tbsp)...extra rinse.

A hot wash again only on the shortest time with no detergent...extra rinse.

This is the only way my son wont get a rash. He has super sensitive skin and yes this is a pain but I do it and I don't have any smells.

SaraTF · February 2012

We use RnG for hard water.

I do a cold rinse without detergent, then a hot wash with RnG with an extra cold rinse. But, we're just using prefolds, which seem kind of hard to screw up.

bobbie_0000 · February 2012

I learned we had very hard water when I began cloth diapering (we moved here right before our DS was born). I tried using RnG, but was having to use a TON of it and my diapers were not getting clean. A lot of people recommended that I used orginal Tide and do extra rinses. The Tide did help with the smell, but after weeks of using it, it caused build up and my baby needed a gentle degertent. Now, I use PLANET which I buy at Krogers and it has been working very well. I do a cold rinse, hot wash with PLANET filled to the 0 and then three cold rinses. It has been working well for us *so far*.

Chickandtaco · February 2012

Thanks everyone!

Borax can help with hard water? How much do you use and how often?

I tried using calgon (liquid) but have not noticed any difference. Those who have used it did you use liquid or powder? Do you notice any improvement?

sosoph · February 2012

the amount you need depends on how hard your waer is and how much water is in the washer. To find out, let the washer fill, and stick you hand in it to see what itthe water feels like. Add whatever the borax box says is the recommended amount, close the washer and let it agitate a minute. Now feel the water again. It should be slightly slimy (like hotel water often is). Based on that, you can gauge how much you normally need to add.

When you do wash, add the softener first, let it swirl into the water, and then add the detergent.

Mereou12 · February 2012

I did not have a good experience with RNG. Serious ammonia problems in a very short amount of time. I switched to Tide and havent' had a problem since!

Warm light cycle

Hot wash with ~1/4 cup of Tide, extra rinse

2 more additional rinses.

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If you have hard water and a top loader.....

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