Help! My wash routine sucks

blue_elle · November 2014

I'm having trouble with my wash routine and could use some advice. I'm struggling with finding a routine with enough detergent to clean well, but not so much it requires multiple washes to rinse clean.

I have an LG HE front loader. I use Tide Original powder, line 1. Typically 2 days of diapers. I tried less, but there was a faint unpleasant odor left behind. I set my machine for prewash (cold), hot wash, heavy soil level (for extra agitation time), water plus to add extra water in each cycle. I can't choose both water plus and extra rinses, so I run a short water only cycle after to rinse.

I'm still getting soapy water drops that are visible on the pul of the wet bags, so tonight I ran a full 2nd water wash instead of the short wash. Sadly that didn't do the trick, so I'm now running 2 additional rinse only cycles. That's 3 hours of washing!

I don't know what to do beyond continuing with crazy numbers of rinses. Like I mentioned, I tried less detergent and the load definitely did not pass for clean. What else can I try?

tjkdlhb · November 2014

I ignore the bubbles. no issues.

blue_elle · November 2014

@charmingthemoon‌ I *think* my machine is always cold on the prewash, but I can certainly try a speed wash in warm rather than the programmed prewash.

So you're saying the warm prewash may be more effective, then I could get away with less detergent?

abby8279 · November 2014

Does your prewash drain and spin? I know my prewash does not. It just adds extra time onto the wash. If your diapers are not getting an initial rinse/drain/spin or light wash (without detergent) you are washing your diapers in pee and poo water.

blue_elle · November 2014

@charmingthemoon‌ I've been doing the programmed prewash

@abby8279‌ I assumed that it drains fully after the prewash, because that just made sense to me, but I'll look into it

PipSqueak0313 · November 2014

Also check to make sure that adding extra water to the wash cycle isn't adding too much water. You could also try removing the wet bags and making sure they emptied between the main wash and a second wash/rinse. I know mine are notorious for holding water so I remove them after the main wash.

Brandiewine11 · November 2014

Stop using the programmed prewash. My LG has a "speed wash" setting. I use that for my initial rinse (warm) and have no issues. I think you may not be getting the pee/poo out effectively with that programmed pre-wash cycle.

FWIW I decreased to 2 tbsp of Tide and don't get the soapy water in my wet bags anymore and things still get clean. It may not be enough for you depending on your water, but perhaps the prewash is the problem rather than the amount of detergent.

blue_elle · November 2014

Thanks ladies. I'll try out the warm speed wash for a prewash tomorrow night.

blue_elle · November 2014

Ok, I did the warm speed wash for a prewash, then hot wash with line 1 Tide for 3 days wash. It took 3 rinses (preprogrammed) to rinse to no suds. Total wash time down to about 2 hours, so moving in the right direction. This weekend I'm going to try the same, but with less detergent to see if I can cut down the rinses.

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Help! My wash routine sucks

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