Cloth Diaper Detergent Recommendations?

Updated on November 17, 2010
R.W. asks from Salt Lake City, UT
8 answers

What detergents do you recommend for washing cloth diapers? It seems like detergents would last a long time because if I wash ever 2-3 days, I won't have a full load, right? Maybe a medium size? And how much detergent do you use? I've heard 1/4 cup, is that right?

Also, do you wash your diaper covers with your prefolds, or do you wash them alone or with your regular clothes? Thanks!!

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L.K.

answers from Atlanta on

I use any free and clear detergent on sale. I have a front loader, and use just a few drops, even for a full load. Next time you do the wash, see how many rinses it takes to get all the suds out of the water. If you end up doing more than 1 rinse after the wash, you're using too much. Keep decreasing the amount until you only need to do 1 rinse after the wash. If there is extra soap left in the diapers, it will decrease the absorbency, and may irritate baby's skin. I have been doing this for over 3 years and never had a problem. Good luck!

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S.H.

answers from Orlando on

I use Charlie's Soap for all our laundry, including cloth diapers. Since I use it for all our laundry, I can't really say how long it would last if you only washed diapers with it. I would recommend checking out some of the cloth diapering websites for more info on detergents since certain types of detergents don't work well for cloth diapers. They will leave build-up on the diapers and cause them to leak. I wash the covers and inserts togethers. I do a cold cycle, hot cycle, and cold rinse. Every couple months, I will also add Oxi-Clean to strip the diapers of any build-up.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

I use Arm & Hammer Free & Clear Essentials. Easy to find and works well.

Water is the key to clean diapers. I washed every other day and always put it on large load because lots of water is what gets you clean, good smelling diapers.

Also, unless you are potty training, you will have a full load if you are only going to wash every 2-3 days. You have to change baby about every 2 hours with cloth diapers.

You can wash your covers with the prefolds. I dry mine in the dryer some of the time but usually just hang them to dry. Don't wash any diaper stuff with regular clothes.

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

I use Charlies Soap, 1 T per load of diapers (1.5 T per regular clothing loads). A lot of the "Free & Clear" marketed at the grocery store actually do have a lot of additives, though they may not have dye or fragrance. And any liquid is generally not as good as it's powdered equivalent, since extra additives have to be added to keep the cleaning agents suspended in the liquid.

If it's a particularly stinky load, I will soak the diapers in the washer overnight with 1/4 cup baking soda, run a full cycle (with no soap). Then run a hot wash/cold rinse with 1 T Charlie's Soap (our machine only offers cold rinse) with 1/4 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle. Then 2 more cold rinses. If they still smell, I will run them through a couple more rinses. I've only had to 2 this once in 2 years of diapering. Normally, I do a cold rinse, then a hot wash with soap & a cold rinse.

I also bought Bio Kleen enzymatic laundry detergent powder (fragrance free; all versions are dye free), for occasional use.

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M.C.

answers from Tampa on

I second what Sarah already said/I washed mine exactly the same way and even used Charlie's Soap....it lasts me quite a while - at least 3months - and I used it for all of my laundry too. Remember to go easy on the detergent when washing the diapers....less detergent/ more water seems to work well.

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Rockin Green or Charlies Soap

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi!!
We use Shaklee laundry detergent. I found that lots of other brands leave a film on the diapers. I have also found that because we only use a small amount of detergent (1/8-1/4 cup per load because its so concentrated), that it lasts for a long time! Very economical!!

I use them on a medium size load, let the machine fill up (top loader) and let them either sit over night and then run the load or just soak a few hours. We are still in bf-ing stage, so there's not a whole lot to clean.

I wash my covers with the diapers and let them air dry, or put them in the dryer for 15-20 mins and then let them air dry for the rest of the time. I am on baby #3 with the same diapers and they haven't broken down and are still in great shape!!

If you would like information on Shaklee, send me a message!!

Don't use fabric softener with them, it will make the diapers less absorbent.

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

NOTHING can touch Rock'n green. It's killer!

I wash my diapers alone, pre-rinse, hot wash, extra rinse, every day or two days.

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