Cloth Diaper Washing in Soft Water

[Godslilgirl225]

Anybody here have perfectly softened well water because of a water softener? We moved towards the end of the summer and I've been having a terrible time with super smelly diapers since! I want to blame the old machine in this rental, but I know our grandmother's had to hand wash or had less than awesome machines way back when.

My question is of you've got nearly perfectly soft water what detergent are you using (brand/type-liquid or power) and how much do I use? (you know, since soft water is nice and soft and silky and makes soaps last forever!)

I'm also curious, how long should the actual agitate part of the wash cycle be lasting in a top loading washer? I feel like even on the longest setting this machine doesn't agitate very long at all!

Thanks mamas!

[zeo2ski]

Ah, but our grandmother's had cotton flats...

Sorry soft water is not something I've dealt with, but I know I've seen threads about it elsewhere. You may want to do an internet search as there are many diaper specific sites that have tons on suggestions and methods for all kinds of washing set ups.

[Godslilgirl225]

I have searched and searched online and asked on multiple forums. There's isn't much info out there on soft water washing, most ppl have hard water. We have concluded its the washer. And since we r renting we can't do anything about the washer. Taking a cloth diaper pause until we move into our new home! Thanks for your help!

[2sunshines]

Sorry, I just saw this thread.

We cloth diapered for part of the time on well water with a water softener. Didn't have stink issues, but we also had a brand new front loading washing machine that worked great.

Glad you came up with a solution that works for you. Sometimes taking a break from cd'ing when it's not idea to be able to come back to it later is a great solution.

[Delaluz]

If you're on fb, try the fluff love and CD science group. They have all sorts of knowledge on wash routines and the "science" behind it. ☺They also have a website with all the info on there (that's in the group files) as well as a YouTube page. They saved my son's bottom (he kept getting rashes) and cloth diapers. I had to do disposables while I figured everything out.

[greengirl19]

WE have very soft water with well water and a whole house water softener. I hate that thing! DO you know how long it takes me to rinse my hair!?! Anyways . . . I use prefolds and wash with Tide Free Powder, about 2 T in a full load. I do a soak/prewash, then regular cycle on hot with the longest agitate possible (14 min maybe?) then a rinse and second rinse.

[Godslilgirl225]

Originally Posted by 2sunshines

Sorry, I just saw this thread.

We cloth diapered for part of the time on well water with a water softener. Didn't have stink issues, but we also had a brand new front loading washing machine that worked great.

Glad you came up with a solution that works for you. Sometimes taking a break from cd'ing when it's not idea to be able to come back to it later is a great solution.

I'm hoping w a new machine when we move it'll change everything! And I can love cloth diapering again! Plus disposies small so so bad! Lol I will admit the break is kinda nice though

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Delaluz

If you're on fb, try the fluff love and CD science group. They have all sorts of knowledge on wash routines and the "science" behind it. ☺They also have a website with all the info on there (that's in the group files) as well as a YouTube page. They saved my son's bottom (he kept getting rashes) and cloth diapers. I had to do disposables while I figured everything out.

Oh they've tried everything to help me. And most of their knowledge and files r for fixes in hard water. We aren't able to control the mintenece of the whole house softener since its a dual one between our rental and the landlords home. So the water may not be consistently kept up with combined w this ancient machine.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------

Originally Posted by greengirl19

WE have very soft water with well water and a whole house water softener. I hate that thing! DO you know how long it takes me to rinse my hair!?! Anyways . . . I use prefolds and wash with Tide Free Powder, about 2 T in a full load. I do a soak/prewash, then regular cycle on hot with the longest agitate possible (14 min maybe?) then a rinse and second rinse.

I'm so glad you've found something that works!! I love that my dry skin issues are back under control being in a home w soft water again (i grew up in this area) but oh man, the laundry diapering issues have been stressing me out! This is an expensive but nice break lol

[Delaluz]

Originally Posted by Godslilgirl225

I'm hoping w a new machine when we move it'll change everything! And I can love cloth diapering again! Plus disposies small so so bad! Lol I will admit the break is kinda nice though

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------


Oh they've tried everything to help me. And most of their knowledge and files r for fixes in hard water. We aren't able to control the mintenece of the whole house softener since its a dual one between our rental and the landlords home. So the water may not be consistently kept up with combined w this ancient machine.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------


I'm so glad you've found something that works!! I love that my dry skin issues are back under control being in a home w soft water again (i grew up in this area) but oh man, the laundry diapering issues have been stressing me out! This is an expensive but nice break lol

Oh OK. I hope it gets better when you move. I remember being incredibly frustrated when it seemed like cloth diapering wasn't working for us. Now things are better, but I use sposies when I leave the house. ☺