[shen7]

So I got really frustrated with my super long, 3 HE cycle washing routine. I was reading that cleaning power of the laundry comes down to 4 variables: mechanical action (agitation); chemical action (detergent & additives); water (hardness, temperature, quantity); and Time. My water sucks (hardness and quantity in the &%#@ HE washer), mechanical action is already optimal for the FLer (I always fill the drum 1/2-2/3 full), and I want it to take less time! So I just have water temp and detergents/additives to work with.

So here's what I did. I cut out the prewash since poopy dipes are all prerinsed already. I just did a Sanitary cycle, Heavy soil level, + 2nd rinse. Unscented original Clorox bleach in the bleach dispenser (!!) Tide F&G liquid to Line 1. And 1/2 cap of 7th Gen fabric softener (hopefully to condition/neutralize any bleach trace residue).

I might destroy my diapers but I am just so desperate for something easy that will give me totally sanitary, no barnyard stink diapers!! Wish me luck. It is a just over 2 hr cycle and will end in about 1/2 hr...

[somo_chickenlady]

Good luck! I hope it works for you!

If I had to choose between the longevity of my dipes, and having clean, stink free dipes, I would choose stink free also.

[tyggrlili25]

how did it work?
What type of diapers do you have?
I am currently stripping mine. I have mostly pockets with MF inserts.
I also have a front loader HE machine with hard water.

Good luck!!

[Gaby&Emmy'sMama]

curious - how'd it go?

[greenchild]

good luck!!! I really don't mind my long wash routine.

[shen7]

It worked awesome!!!!!!! HALLELUJAH

I think the super hot water helped all the bleach and detergent fully react with all the yuckiness, because there were surprisingly few suds in the first rinse, and just the slightest trace in the second rinse. Most of the diapers smelled like nothing at all right out of the wash, and the Sandys (the thickest ones I have) had just a hint of pool water, so very slight chlorine but not at all bleach-y. And they are more stain free than usual, and MUCH softer than usual.

My stash is almost 100% natural fibers, mostly cotton with some bamboo and hemp. This load was about 1/3 Bottombumpers (AIOs with snap in soakers), 1/3 flats, and 1/3 other (hemp prefolds, bamboo and cotton doublers, bamboo and cotton fitteds).

I officially have a new wash routine --- we'll see how it holds up over time!!!

[alicenwonderland]

glad you got rid of the stink!!!! I would proceed with caution though. The super hot water and bleach is what i believe was responsible for the death of a few of my diapers. I understand the feeling though. My current routine is with WAY MORE detergent than i used before... which means way more rinses :/ I'm aggravated with it as well.

[Admin-Rachel]

glad it worked!

[shen7]

Yeah, it might kill a few of my AIOs before their time. I am not too worried about the others though, especially the flats and prefolds and doublers! At this point it is a trade off I am happy to make. I was catching some flak for tying up the washer all day (we are still staying with family so I don't want to make it any harder to live with us!)