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Ruth
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I guess cloth diapers is a big topic this week. 
I just received my shipment of "Thirsties" and the instructions said "NOT to use any kind of Free and Clear detergent on cloth diapers because it is the #1 reason why cloth diapers will leak." I didn't get that warning with my Fuzzy Bunz. That is all I ever use. I just ran out of detergent this morning, so I'm looking for advice on what to purchase at the local grocery store.
Has anyone had trouble with this kind of detergent?
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mathmama
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I have heard warnings about particular brands, but can't remember exactly. This is a good reference when choosing a detergent. I personally love Charlie's Soap for all of our wash. It washes out completely. Our clothes have never been so soft. You can't get it at your local grocery, but it seems to me to be very reasonably priced. I use the liquid in my FL; no problem with suds.
Beth
ETA: I was apparently wrong, it can be found in some stores. Here are a list of retailers in VA.
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Sparrow
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Interesting, I've never heard of complaints against free and clear detergents. Certainly against fabric softener, since it makes them water repellent, but not the f&c detergent. I make my own detergent and have no problems. I've used free and clear on cloth, too, and had no problems.
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insegnante
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How would dyes and fragrances prevent cloth diapers from leaking? (Isn't that what the stuff is free and clear of?) Or the lack thereof cause it? I am hoping to use cloth with this baby and we always use free and clear, so I am very inerested.
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Maria in WI
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I think part of it is the specific brand's additives, and also your water.
We recently tried Tide Free and Clear, and it consistently left our clothes very sour smelling. I know that other's use it successfully. I wasn't using cloth diapers, yet, so I have no experience with that. We are currently using BioKleen powder laundry detergent on all our laundry, including diapers, with a little bac-out added in the diaper loads. We haven't had any problems, but I might try Charlie's, because it seems so economical.
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mathmama
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insegnante wrote:
| How would dyes and fragrances prevent cloth diapers from leaking? (Isn't that what the stuff is free and clear of?) Or the lack thereof cause it? I am hoping to use cloth with this baby and we always use free and clear, so I am very inerested. |
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A quote from the website I linked above:
Quote:
A note on “Free & Clear”: The term “free & clear” does not mean that there are no mysterious or unlisted ingredients. True, they have no perfumes or dyes, but since “free & clear” detergents are often meant for those with allergies, most add something called “microbiostat” or something similar. It’s a fungicide/bacteriocide used widely in many industrial applications. It would eliminate some of the bacterial or fungal causes of allergies. This may be the ingredient that is responsible for the residue that free & clear detergents seem so prone to leave on diaper covers and fleece/suedecloth. And for some reason, ALL free & clear seems to cause the most trouble for people. This ingredient isn’t necessarily “bad”, just perhaps not best for diapers.
These brands that seem to be cropping up as particularly consistent troublemakers:
ALL Free & Clear
Some versions of Bio-Kleen
7Th Generation (love the company, just not for my diapers)
Dreft and other “formulated for baby” detergents
Soap products like Dr. Bronner’s and Fels-Naptha |
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I know my 3yo dd could not have her diapers washed in All Free and Clear, it made her bum all red. Even when she started wearing undies I couldn't wash them in All Free and Clear, it still gave her a red bum 
Beth
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Lisbet
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I've used Arm & Hammer on diapers and haven't had any issues. I am currently using some very genaric brand in the big square bucket that does 180 loads for $3.99 and it's working great on both pockets and prefolds.
What kind of Thirsties did you get? I love the fit of Thirsties!
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monique
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Quote:
A note on “Free & Clear”: The term “free & clear” does not mean that there are no mysterious or unlisted ingredients. True, they have no perfumes or dyes, but since “free & clear” detergents are often meant for those with allergies, most add something called “microbiostat” or something similar. It’s a fungicide/bacteriocide used widely in many industrial applications. It would eliminate some of the bacterial or fungal causes of allergies. This may be the ingredient that is responsible for the residue that free & clear detergents seem so prone to leave on diaper covers and fleece/suedecloth. And for some reason, ALL free & clear seems to cause the most trouble for people. This ingredient isn’t necessarily “bad”, just perhaps not best for diapers.
These brands that seem to be cropping up as particularly consistent troublemakers:
ALL Free & Clear
Some versions of Bio-Kleen
7Th Generation (love the company, just not for my diapers)
Dreft and other “formulated for baby” detergents
Soap products like Dr. Bronner’s and Fels-Naptha |
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Oh my, maybe this is my problem. I've been using 7th generation and it seems like I can never get the diapers (not the covers) clean. I also have problems with red bums. It seems like there is a residue on the diapers. Someone said that arm and hammer works well. What other detergents does everyone use?
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Barbara C.
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I use the All F & C with no problems. As recommended I always use the highest water level, use a small amount of detergent (1/4), and I always do at least one extra rinse cycle after. No problems yet in about six weeks of use.
But I did read where some F&C have chemicals meant to make clothes look cleaner...bend light somehow. Just FYI.
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Barbara C.
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BTW I use Chinese Pre-fold and Whisper Wraps.
And too much detergent or using fabric softener are usually given as the #1 reasons cloth diapers leak.
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Ruth
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| Posted: July 07 2008 at 7:18am | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
I've used Arm & Hammer on diapers and haven't had any issues.
What kind of Thirsties did you get? I love the fit of Thirsties! |
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I'll try Arm & Hammer and see how they do.
I bought these, but I have to tell you, they all leaked after an hour.  I ended up buying some diaper towels I found at Home Depot and folded them into fourths and they help up very well. I'm not sure what happened, but I definately love the way they fit. Maria is so petite and as much as I prefer the Fuzzy Bunz, the medium ones I bought are too big for her.
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Lisbet
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Ruth, I'm sorry to hear that they leaked - I have a few of those and really like them - no leaks. The microfiber towels should make them golden. Did you wash and dry them plenty to prep them?
I have Thirsties fitted, wraps, and the pocket in ones, and have been veyr happy with them all.
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CatholicMommy
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I used 7th generation straight through for 3 years of diapering and toilet training pants... The only problems I had were when I didn't do an extra rinse or if I added too much - apparently we're not supposed to use as much detergent as most people seem to use (or so I've heard).
This is an interesting thread and is prompting some more research on this end.
:)
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Ruth
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Lisbet wrote:
Ruth, I'm sorry to hear that they leaked. Did you wash and dry them plenty to prep them?
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I did, but they still leaked. It's very frustrating. I really like the way they fit her. I will switch detergent and see what happens.
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Mackfam
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Very helpful thread, Ruth! I use an Amway powder - SA8 - but I've considered switching to Charlie's for awhile now. I've always been leary because I wasn't sure about its compatibility with a front loader. Wonderful links everyone - I bookmarked for my next order of soap for when I run out.
I do an extra rinse on the diapers, but sometimes they still don't "smell" clean. And we're not even to the heavy duty poopy yet! Anyone have any ideas? I rinse first in cold, wash in hot, extra rinse after. Do any of you use BumGenius Odor Remover Spray? Any experiences with it at all? How does it work? Does it work?
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mathmama
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Mackfam wrote:
| I do an extra rinse on the diapers, but sometimes they still don't "smell" clean. And we're not even to the heavy duty poopy yet! Anyone have any ideas? I rinse first in cold, wash in hot, extra rinse after. |
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I think alot depends on how hard or soft your water is. I think it is more difficult to get your diapers clean with hard water. Maybe it would help to through in a little baking soda.
Beth
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Jess
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I do a cold wash with detergent (biokleen liquid) for the poopy diapers and then I put in the wet ones and run a hot cycle with detergent. Then I run another hot cycle without detergent instead of an extra rinse. My washer doesn't have a hot rinse in any of the cycles (old washer) and my hot cycle has a cold rinse so if I don't do the extra hot cycle then they don't seem to get rinsed well, I do a shorter cycle though. I have tried tide before and there was a leftover smell that I couldn't handle. The only other thing I have used on my diapers is biokleen and I haven't had any trouble if I follow my regular wash routine (I got it off of Julie's site).
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Topic: Cloth diapers and detergent
