Cloth diapers, detergents, and high efficiency washers

Posted by Rick in Home, Diapering (Tuesday October 30, 2007 at 12:20 am)

Anyone have any detergent suggestions for washing cloth diapers in a high efficiency front loader? I’ve been reading, and everyone recommends detergents that you have to order online. I get that, and a biodegradable detergent is ideal, and I don’t think I’d mind doing that; however, it’s not very realistic, considering our past history. It seems like we don’t remember to buy detergent until it’s almost too late…so I am mostly curious about detergents we could actually buy in town.

20 Responses to “Cloth diapers, detergents, and high efficiency washers”

  1. kristen Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 12:55 am

    This page has some serious analysis of the issue of detergents, if you haven’t seen it already, you should give it a read.

  2. Holly Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:38 am

    Sorry I can’t be of any help there. ;) We had trouble finding detergent for babies since we have a front loader.

  3. Amber Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 9:20 am

    I’m so glad you asked this question! Kristen’s link is great- I’ve been looking to switch from All F&C since I read last week about the optical brighteners. I didn’t realize it was causing the covers to wick too… I’m with you about being able to buy at the store on demand, so I believe I may stick with All for the time being for my regular laundry, but maybe order online for diapers. Surely using regular detergent every once in a while won’t make a huge difference while waiting for an order to arrive if I don’t reorder in time?
    fyi, Charlie’s makes a liquid HE brand too. I went to froogle.com and typed “Charlie’s laundry soap” and found some great bargains…

  4. RickCapezza Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 10:25 am

    It seems like I read in a couple places that Charlie’s is causing rashes and they’re investigating the problem. Allen’s seems to be the only one I haven’t seen any complaints about.

    That said, that site seems to indicate that front loader owners are happiest when they use HE detergent. We don’t have a whole lot of HE detergent choices in our local stores. I know there’s more than Tide, but that’s all I can think of.

    Do they make any enzyme, dye, and optical brightener free high efficiency detergents?

  5. Mrs. Butler Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 11:06 am

    If you have a Wal-mart (and you’re not averse to shopping there) during hunting season they have a detergent that I have never had problems with called Sport Wash. Use half the recommended amount, it’ll work for 64 diaper loads and costs about $5.

    P.S. I sent you some goodies yesterday, let me know when they arrive!

  6. sarah mosley Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 11:11 am

    Arm & Hammer for sensitive skin is good. Publix Free & Clear is also good.

    http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

  7. RickCapezza Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 12:01 pm

    We don’t have Publix around here. I have seen several sites argue against the “free and clear” versions too. I can’t remember if they said it didn’t do well in front loaders or if they didn’t find it to be good with cloth diapering.

    Arm and Hammer was probably our most comon choice pre-frontloader and cloth diapering.

    I have to laugh a bit at the thought of a special detergent available in hunting season. So Southern. I haven’t seen it before. I’ll have to take a look.

    I’m curious…does everyone always wash diapers separate from their other clothes?

  8. Rebekah Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 12:56 pm

    I don’t know if it’s good for diapers, but I use “Ecos” laundry detergent (got it at Costco) and it’s fine for HE washers…they have a website. If you want I can bring some down, I think it’s like 120 loads HE, for 13.99.

  9. RickCapezza Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:11 pm

    It’s not recommended for diapers.

  10. Mrs. Butler Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:11 pm

    I always wash the diapers separately. Otherwise, they get too much detergent.

  11. sarah mosley Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 3:00 pm

    The site I linked to seems to indicate that Publix Free and Clear is different from the other Free and Clears…eh, baby crying.

  12. Tiffany Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 5:56 am

    Here isan HE chart:

    http://www.diaperjungle.com/he-detergent-chart.html

  13. Rebekah Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 11:27 am

    Oh! I just remembered that Mrs. Minnich told Lynné that you were supposed to wash them with Borax. Is that fine for HE front loaders?? Hey! Did you get a new washer?

  14. Rachel Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 11:59 am

    We haven’t gotten a new one yet, but we’re planning on getting a new HE washer/dryer set soon! I’m sooo excited. :)

  15. Brianna Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 1:41 pm

    You can make your own detergent if you want. It takes about 5 minutes to make a huge batchta, and it’s dirt cheap.

    http://tammysrecipes.com/homemade_laundry_soap_recipe
    http://tammysrecipes.com/node/2158

    You can use any kind of washing soda, not just Arm & Hammer. I’ve made this often. It’s fine for cloth diapers, apparently.

  16. Brianna Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 1:42 pm

    Er, that would be “batch.”

  17. Rick Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 3:57 pm

    Yeah, I honestly don’t see us making our own soap. We’re just not THAT domestic.

    Plus, I’d still wonder how much to use in a frontloader.

  18. Mrs. Butler Says:
    November 1st, 2007 at 5:41 am

    BTW, the Sportwash, should you decide to use that, is not in with the laundry soap, its in the sporting goods aisles.

  19. sarah mosley Says:
    November 4th, 2007 at 9:50 pm

    Borax breaks down fibers and isn’t very good for diapers, contrary to the claims on the box.

  20. SaLT Says:
    January 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    I’m wondering what is good & what’s not for CDs. I did a search of Publix’s “Free & Clear” and found this blog. Here’s a GREAT site comparing laundry detergents. Publix’s is not on there: http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

    I’m guessing it should be good for CDs because the container says, “Contains anionic and/or nonionic surfactants” and “Contains no phosphorous.” I’ve read that store brand or generic detergents are better because they contain less phosphates, not sure how true that could ring from store to store. It’s kinda a blanket-all statement, but makes sense… a little.

    But since the container on the Publix detergent is so vague, I’m probably gonna just get some Ecos at Costco or Country Save at my local health food store to be sure I have what’s right for me CDs.

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