Diaper Pail and washing techniques

[earthwhisper]

I just now am starting my daughter into cloth. I haven't used cloth in over 3 years and when I did, I think I washed a cold wash first (didn't have a cold rinse) and then rewashed on Hot. I don't remember how much soap I used and can't remember if I used vinegar or not. (although...I am thinking NOT.)

I am trying to get an idea on exactly how I should wash them and what I should put them in before they get washed.

3 years ago, I used a disposable diaper pail that had a cotton laundry bag inserted into it. I would dump the diapers into the wash, with the bag.

I am not sure if I want to really waste money on a diaper pail, but wondered what all of you used.

Thanks! :)

[Susan_WW]

I don't have much of a diaper pail. I started off with a diaper champ, then went to a regular garbage can with a lid, then for the past 18 months or so I've just been hanging a plastic grocery bag off the changing table. It's easiest for me because I can just grab the bag off the table, bring it downstairs and dump the diapers, and just toss the bag.

As for washing, I just use a hot wash on the heavy cycle. I try to dump solid poop in the toilet first, but bf poop goes right into the washing machine. I use about 1/2 of the recommended laundry detergent, and I use about 1/4 cup bleach (((((gasp))))). Its the only thing that gets the stink out. I use prefolds almost exclusively though. I wouldn't use bleach on any expensive dipes.

[hunnybumm]

ATM we are using sposies but we used cloth exclusively for the first 18 months or so. I used a regular trash can from Walmart, however I would have liked to have one of those stainless steel ones with the peddle flip lid thingie. I also got some water proof camping bags (also at Walmart) for like $3 each. I would throw them into the wash with the diapers.

As far as how I washed. I did a cold rinse, hot wash, cold rinse. If there were still suds in the last rinse I would do another cycle. I used about 1/4 of a cap of liquid detergent. I dumped the solid poops in the toilet, but I didn't dunk and I did find some poop chunks in the washer. Yuck! I then dryed on hot heat in the dryer for a couple cycles.

However, I was using mostly SOSs and they are pretty much trashed. :( I don't know if it was how I washed them or what, but they definitly won't make it through 1 kid, much less 2.

[smillerky]

I do a cold rinse, hot wash, then two warm rinses. I found that with my hard water, cold rinses weren't getting the detergent out of my diapers and I'd always end up with stinky diapers... Dry in the dryer on HOT for the longest cycle.

I also swear by Sportswash! It's wonderful. Walmart carries it right now for hunting season, so I'm stocking up because they'll stop carrying it after hunting season is over. There are also a few diaper WAHMs who carry it on their sites as well.

ETA: about a diaper pail... I use a large Happy Tushies pail liner, but I don't actually 'line' a pail with it. I just hang it up by the loop and I wash it with my diapers.

[pmcgary]

I no longer have any in diapers....but here is what I remember.....

How I washed depended on what was on the diapers. (I generally have 'long time between poos' kids - so I could have 2 days of just wet diapers and then a day of gross poopie ones)

I used probably about 1/4 - 1/2 the recommended detergent and hot wash. Sometimes I did a cold soak if they were really nasty.

I use liquid detergent - usually purex free and clear (I heard mixed stuff about free and clear but it worked for me)

I am a big fan of Bac Out -- which I would sometimes squirt in the diaper pail or on a stinky one...(It also works wonders for matresses during night time potty learning)

And Sportwash is great - especially for 'smelly' covers - the nylon pants variety not soakers. It also works well if you have laundry that 'soured' b/c you forgot to move it to the dryer.

I dried on permanent press....I did line dry from time to time - but always put them in the dryer for 10 minutes or so at the end. (My gas dryer was much more efficient than the electric dryer too.)
WALMART TIP here: Our store clearances out the Sportwash AFTER hunting season....So probably right at the first of the year you can get it for a couple of dollars a bottle. That is the time to stock up.

I had two fisher price diaper pails (with the foot pedal) If I used a liner (and I used this when we traveled) I used a waterproof laundry bag from the $1 store. And be sure it doesn't go into the dryer (don't ask how I know - at least the bag only cost a dollar!) My pails cost me $3 total...I got one at a consignment shop and the other came from a neighbor when they were moving (it wouldn't fit in the moving van)

Oh, I found a gread deodorant for the pail...somehow a candy cane fell into the hinged portion of one of my diaper pails...It smelled minty fresh for MONTHS!

[CadenJames062503]

I use a trashcan with a lid from Walmart and I also have a diaper pail I got from a diaper service.

To was I use 1/4 of the regular amount of detergent. I rinse cold, wash hot, then rinse until there are no suds!

[willowsmama]

I use a garbage can with a flip lid. But I had 2 in diapers. Now I'm down to 1 FT and 1 only at night.

For washing I dothe follow-

Cold rinse then a long( 14 min.) hot wash with detergent or Dawn. Less then a 1/4 cup of detergent or 2-3 squirts of Dawn

Short (2 min.) hot wash with nothing

Dry till well, dry.lol My dryer sucks and everything takes forever to dry. I've been doing laudry alllllll day- I've got 5 loads done. argh

[earthwhisper]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful replies.:)