Here are some things that you can do to help your diapers last longer:
Use baking soda and vinegar! Here's how:
The baking soda neutralizes acidic odors, removes acid and protein-based stains, and softens the diapers. The vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors and removes alkaline-based stains. Rather than adding the baking soda to your washer on wash day, you can add it directly to the diaper pail before you begin to fill it with diapers. This will help keep your diaper pail smelling fresh. Note: if you have hard water, use borax instead of baking soda.
No! If your baby is solely breastfed, you can just throw the diaper into your diaper pail. The initial cold rinse will remove the poop. This is because the poop of breastfed babies is water soluble. However, stains will occur.
After your baby starts solids, you should shake off what you can into the toilet before placing the diapers into the diaper pail. Another option is to use biodegradable, flushable liners. Just remove the liner, poop and all, and drop into the toilet.
However, if you want your diapers remain stain-free, we recommend using a diaper sprayer and leaving your diaper almost dripping wet when placing it into the diaper pail. Keeping it wet until wash day will minimize staining.
See our information on stripping here! We also offer cloth diaper stripping service!
There are many opinions about which detergents are best for cloth diapers. We believe you should use what works for you and your baby. Remember, if you feel your detergent isn't working, you can always strip your diapers and start over. Our top three recommended detergents are Original Powder Tide (HARD TO FIND NOW AS FORMULAS HAVE CHANGED, not liquid Tide, HE Tide, or other version of Tide), Allen's Naturally, Charlie's Soap, and Sensi-Clean. Do not use any baby detergents such as Dreft, since they contain fabric softeners.
We get calls daily about leaking cloth diapers, especially pocket diapers and all-in-ones, and the Free & Clear detergents listed below are the culprits 99% of the time. Please note that many parents do use Free & Clear detergents successfully... it depends on the water in your area. However, it is true that when we receive calls and the issue is due to the detergent, Free & Clear detergents were often being used. And if you do want or need to use a Free & Clear detergent, then we recommend two brands below (Purex and Mountain Green).
Free & Clear detergents contain microbiostats, which control the growth of microorganisms, such as dust mites. This is beneficial to those with allergies, but may be the common ingredient that causes the fleece in your pocket diapers to repel. Now, many parents use Free and Clear detergents with great success (it really depends on your local water mineral content and washer), but if you begin to have leaks or smells after a few weeks or months, try stripping your diapers and then switching detergents.
Rating | Detergent and Cost/Load |
Comments | |||||||
***** |
Tide Original (Powder Only) (12 cents/load, 24 cents/load for HE) |
99% |
* |
* |
* |
* |
This is the one detergent we have never received a complaint about with regards to cloth diapers. For an additive-free detergent, we recommend Allen's Naturally. | ||
***** |
Allen's Naturally (HE compatible) (18 cents/load, 9 cents/load for HE, for 1 gallon size.) |
98% |
Best for Babies with Sensitive Skin. A completely natural detergent (the only detergent with the ingredients listed on the label) that works great! Biodegradable. |
||||||
***** |
Charlie's Soap (HE compatible) (10 cents/load, 5 cents/load for HE, assuming 2.64 powder size) |
98% |
Ranked #1: Works for most and least expensive. Try first and then change if it doesn't work for you. Similar to Allen's Naturally, however ingredients are proprietary. Extensive studies by Clemson University have shown it leaves no residue. Biodegradable. Technically a "detergent" (not a soap, despite its name). |
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***** |
Sensi-Clean / Sports-Wash (HE compatible) (18 cents/load, 9 cents/load for HE, assuming 1 liter size) |
90% | Great for stripping cloth diapers on a monthly basis. Note: while this detergent works great for the majority of babies, some babies will develop a rash. | ||||||
***** |
RLR Laundry Treatment (75 cents/load, 38 cents/load for HE, assuming bulk price of $1.50/packet) |
99% | Best for stripping cloth diapers on a monthly basis. Note: while this detergent works great for the majority of babies, some babies will develop a rash. | ||||||
***** |
Country Save (13 cents/load, 7 cents/load for HE, assuming bulk pricing) |
98% | Cost effective, additive free, and great results. | ||||||
***** |
Purex Free & Clear (10 cents/load, 5 cents/load for HE) |
A great Free and Clear detergent, works well with most water types. | |||||||
* |
Seventh Generation |
25% |
* |
Prone to leaking and smell issues. Contains a small amount of Surcide-p, a synthetic preservative. Biodegradable. |
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* |
Arm & Hammer Free | 25% |
* |
* |
Prone to leaking and smell issues. | ||||
* |
All Free and Clear | 25% |
* |
Prone to leaking and smell issues. | |||||
* |
Arm & Hammer Fabricare | 25% |
* |
* |
* |
Prone to leaking and smell issues. |
609 W. Clinton St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Store Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 12-5pm
Call or text: 607-272-1237
Email: orders@jilliansdrawers.com
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