Overwhelmed by the number of articles how washing cloth diapers? Do you think there has to be a simpler way to wash cloth diapers than to have 3 different kinds of laundry detergent, dryer sheets for some, dryer balls for others way to wash cloth diapers? There is. Let me let you in on a little secret…
Yep. They really do. I've been using Tide on all of our laundry for almost a year now, including cloth diapers, and I've only stripped one time. Once. Because I wanted to.
For the first year that I used cloth diapers, I made my own Cloth Diaper Detergent. I struggled with stink issues, but the detergent worked. I just had to strip the diapers every month or so to really get the funky smell out – nice, huh?
The thing is – other detergents do work. I've had personal experience with most of the cloth diaper safe detergents on the market {and loved most of them – A Happy Green Life is still probably my favorite CD detergent out there}. Cloth Diaper Detergents are wonderful for your cloth diapers, but as a Mom of 2, I'm just trying to really simplify some things in life. Buying an extra type of detergent is a small act, but by cutting it out, I feel like I have simplified my laundry room a bit.
Tide is actually recommended by quite a few cloth diapering geniuses out there. Me, ahem. Also by Stephanie, the lady behind Abby's Lane, Rumparooz, Happy Heiny's, and Jillian's Drawers – just to name a few.
We have a Front Loader and the detergent has helped me deter stains, stink, and any issues with PUL/elastic, etc.
And before you say it, I know that not everyone wants to use Tide and that's ok, but it works for my family and if it works for yours – good! Simplify your routine!
Thankfully laundry, of any kind, is actually my favorite chore. I mean, it's my favorite chore, not something I enjoy doing in my free time. But don't let my Negative Nancy attitude towards doing cloth diaper laundry deter you from using modern cloth diapers. Why? Because it's super easy. Don't let thoughts of…
"What will I do with the dirty ones?"
"How many extra loads a week will cloth diapers give me?"
"What kind of special detergent will I have to buy"
deter you from using them. Washing cloth diapers is really just as simple as washing any other laundry in your house. I promise. Especially when you only use one detergent!
Washing Cloth Diapers – My Routine
I recently got an email from a reader asking my Cloth Diaper Wash Routine, so Antonella this post is for you! Luckily, wash routines is the subject of this week's Cloth Diaper Blog Hop, so I'm linking up there too!
The last time I shared my cloth diaper wash routine was on a Fluffy Friday back in October 2011! Things have changed in our house, for the better and washing cloth diapers is a lot more simple than I used to make it be on myself.
By switching to Tide, I've been able to eliminate the second wash cycle – so now my routine looks like this:
Warm Rinse, no Spin, no Detergent.
Warm/Warm Wash with Tide & Extra Rinse.
Cold Rinse w/ no Detergent.
Isn't it fun to see all those cute little diapers, freshly stuffed, stacked up in rows…
This post was written as a part of the new Cloth Diaper 101 Blog Hop. Be sure to check out all the other blogs who've linked up their Cloth Diaper Wash Routines too!
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Hmmm…this is interesting. Do you have hard water? I have horrible hard water so washing the fluff is always a constant battle.
Candice, thanks for your comment! I’ve never tested my water, but my region seems to have pretty regular – not hard or soft.
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I use EcoNuts. EVEN EASIER than TIDE!
I found a website, Alice.com. When they have 20% off coupons you can buy 7 different “diaper safe” brands for reasonable price, free shipping. (No coupon, enh, you are paying more.) I bought a year of detergent, 7 types the other day, $70 for a year of soap. I am due any minute now. Even if none work, I can can always use the soap on the regular clothes.
I recently switched to Tide after having tried numerous other CD detergents. So far, my prefolds come out whiter, everything smells much better, and I’m really quite happy with it. My wash routine’s similar to yours, but here in Costa Rica we don’t have hot water pipes flowing into washing machines (or sinks, or showers, in most cases) so I deal with cold water. We do a short pre-soak with Tide & then let the washer cycle through the longest cycle. Then I do a wash cycle with no detergent & an extra rinse, if necessary.
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That is awesome to hear! I agree – after switching my diapers are definitely cleaner and that’s so good to know that it works well with cold water too!
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I just switched to Tide from Rockin’ Green. It took me a while to make the jump I had a hard time believing everyone that said it was safe. I can not believe the difference it has made for our diapers!! I am SOOO happy with how well it cleans. The diapers smell better and are actually a lot softer/fluffier! We haven’t had any issues with the diapers thus far so I’m pretty happy.
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It took me a good while too, Kristina! I had quite the stash of RnG and I now just use it on our towels and clothes and Tide exclusively on my diapers. So glad you’re happy with the switch!
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Hi there,
Thanks for your article! After reading lot of articles online I was left pretty confused, until I read yours. Makes sense to keep it simple! I’m just wondering if it would be the same to use the HE Tide and how much would I need to use? I have a front loader also, not sure if that makes a difference.
Simple is better in ANY circumstance, right!?
I also have an HE Front Loader. The Ultra Tide Powder that I use {in the picture} is safe for HE machines!
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Hello, thank you for great article. Have you tried to use wool dryer balls in your laundry? I’m asking this because I’m also interested in “greening” my laundry. I heard that cloth diapers and wool dryer balls are working great together.
Absolutely, Amelie! I do use wool dryer balls. They cut down on my dry time fantastically! {I use them for all of our laundry, not just the CDs too!}
We used RnG when we CD’ed in Kentucky, but when we moved to Maryland the water was different and we had to switched. Tried many different kinds, but Tide was the only one that worked well!
Thanks for sharing, Erica! It does seem like different types of water respond to different detergents. I had success with other CD safe detergents, but I’ve had LONG term success with this current routine.
Tara at PaddedTushStats.com has said the same thing about Tide. She also has user stats to back up her findings.
Here are a couple of her links:
http://paddedtushstats.com/2012/02/20/your-cloth-diaper-washing-intervention/
and
http://paddedtushstats.com/2012/08/13/save-yourself-the-stress-wash-your-cloth-diapers-with-tide/
P.S. What is it about Tide that makes it taboo for ‘green’ families anyway?
Thanks for sharing those posts, Trisha!
It’s the ingredients in the product – just like most non-green products. A lot of people also say that they have a reaction to Tide.
So happy to hear this! We’re considering doing CD’s for our second baby, and probably last…having to buy/order online a special detergent was one of the biggest things holding me back…if I can just buy tide at the store, definitely makes me want to do it!
Ashley – EXACTLY why I posted this. It might be taboo for some green-ies, but if it makes cloth diapering easier, go for it!
When we used CD’s we used Ecos laundry detergent and found it had fantastic results. It also helps that in our area it is readily available and comparable in price to the non-green brands. We continue to use it now for all of our laundry.
Jen – I think that’s one of the biggest issues with CD safe detergents – they’re not always readily available for people. Where I can go buy a large box of Tide at Sam’s Club, I can’t purchase RnG or EcoSprout at my local store. I haven’t tried Ecos!
I use Tide for my cloth diapers but I use the scentless tide for sensitive skin. My son has such sensitive skin. Cute photos. I love seeing fluff!
Ah – I’ve never tried the Scentless Tide – does it work well on your CDs, Tiffany?
I’m thankful I found this post! I use tide and have been since I started cding my newborn back in October. I only used tide because I didn’t feel like buy laundry detergent online and I was excited to get my diapers cleaned and ready for my baby, thus I did not want to wait for laundry detergent to be shipped to me! I have had no problems with using tide but I still wondered occasionally if I was using the best detergent for my diapers. So, thanks for the wonderful post and helping me feel confident in my choice of detergent for my cloth diapers!
Thanks for you comment, Dacia! Really sometimes a more economical choice is in fact a green choice, right!? If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!
I use Tide too only because it’s more economical than buying a separate detergent just for the diapers. I do pretty much the same, hot pre-wash, then hot wash, double rinse. Occationally I add vineger to the wash just to help with the residual smell
Thanks for sharing your routine too, Winnie! I forgot about Vinegar – I always keep a bottle in my laundry room and will use it on both our clothes and the cloth diapers occasionally, just like you do!
I have never heard of Tide as an option. Granted I was cloth diapering 4yearsago, but still we felt like Publix free & clear was our best option. We used it for all our clothes though, so simple is definitely better!
I use Tide too! I felt like I was doing something wrong for the longest lol! Its refreshing to see other coding mamas using it too!
Michelle, some might say it’s wrong and you shouldn’t use the detergent at all, but I say if it successfully helps ANYONE use cloth diapers and makes the job easier, you do what YOU want to do. No judgement here!
I seriously love Tide- it’s the only detergent that didn’t give me issues with stink, rash, or repelling. Plus, it’s easy to find.
@Beth Rees- I switched to the powder about 5 months ago and found that it works even better than the liquid! (Never had problems with the liquid- everything just looks and smells a little bit cleaner now.)
Keara B – thanks for your response! We’ve tried a lot of things, but Tide has definitely worked the best for us!
Do you notice that the powder works better than the liquid. We have an HE front loader too and I was wondering if we should go with powder or liquid and about how much detergent are you using?
Before I tried Tide, I read a couple of places that said they recommended the powder over the liquid – that it dissolved and rinsed out of the diapers better, so I’ve only used the powder.
I use about 1/2 a scoop, whatever is recommended for a regular load of laundry.
So you rinse, wash, then rinse 3 times?
I warm rinse {cycle is very short since I don’t spin the diapers}. Wash w/ Extra Rinse and then do another short rinse cycle. Even in that last rinse I sometimes see a few suds – this is what you want to make sure you do – get ALL of the detergent out of your diapers!
You really use this detergent? I am shocked…
I knew I would get a comment like this. Although, I’m not sure what you’re shocked about. Is it because Tide isn’t considered “green”? As I stated above, there will be people who think you shouldn’t use Tide, and YOU shouldn’t, but it works for my family. Also, if it helps a family successfully cloth diaper instead of throwing their hands up because of issues that cd detergents sometimes give people, that’s a win!
Here’s an article that explains exactly who I am and what my blog is about – http://soeasybeinggreen-blog.com/2012/05/the-real-meaning-of-so-easy-being-green/
Well you know, it is nice to see green living bloggers be open and honest about what they use. Some come across as “I never break the rules of green living ” and you don’t do that. This is why I like your blog!
I really appreciate this comment – as I said SEBG is all about SMALL steps – appealing to people, just like me, that want to live green-er, easier.
I seriously had no idea! I use Rockin Green for all my laundry but it is expensive… I have going to have to reconsider when baby boy comes and we are doing tons of CD laundry again!
I resisted for quite awhile and then finally just tried it. I’m now using my RnG stockpile on regular clothes and Tide on diapers, until the Rockin’ Green is gone!