For the momas with buildup/stink/ammonia/new 2 CD momas/or washing trouble.

[2002rulz]

I've been trying to read through this thread but it's gotten massive, and I was wondering if you could help me too? I used to live where there was hard water (no water testing there but I could not wash dishes in Blue Dawn for more than 5 minutes without the suds disappearing completely).

So anyway, then we moved. We were having ammonia issues and I upped the detergent thinking they weren't getting clean enough. (First we were using Tide ultra powder but then I switched to Tide liquid original.) So, I upped the detergent amount to the 2 line, and then we started getting leaks, and DD was getting ammonia burns.

Now the water seems to be quite soft. I tried your stripping method yesterday (soak/ stomp in the tub) and now I'm rinsing them in the machine today and I have rinsed for like 8-10 times already. (HATE stripping in soft water!)

Now what to I do once they are adequately rinsed? I never want to strip with soft water again, LOL! I have not tried bleach for ammonia but that is on my list next. How much detergent should I use? Should I go back to Tide liquid or try something different? HELP! How much should I use if I go back to that?

[sarahannecloud9]

That's a tough one because water is softer by region. With my water, I can only use to .5 of a line. Sounds super wacky! I'd start with line 1. Then you can adjust up or down as needed. If you has any bacteria smell with the ammonia I'd bleach now while doing all the rinses. I really can't tell ya a good amnt of detergent to use. I can only tell ya what we have to use with our severe soft water. I dought most soft water is half as troublesome as ours. I would try to go with the original liquid though. Just because of the fact that it is formulated to rinse cleaner and doesn't have to disolve. Go with hot whenever you can. It sounds like for sure the detergent isn't washing out. I'm sorry you are going through so much hun. GL!

[eponine203]

Great list, thanks!

[sarahannecloud9]

!!!

[peightonmom]

Thank you thank you thank you for this! I am new to CD and was terrified of the was process...you have spelled it out great for me!

[avismomma816]

Is the Clorox bleach for colors as good as just plain old bleach?

[sarahannecloud9]

I'm sorry, no. Not for disinfecting. The ingredient that does that part of the job is more around 2%, where reg clorox is 6%. It may brighten, but that's about it. Even splashless has much lower levels. I kinda wondered why they made that one if it doesn't disinfect as the orig does. The scented is the same, not 6%. Sad, I sure do miss the scented!

[cassie.sattler]

is it safe to use simple green in homemade detergent instead of soap? i was thinking this could act as a surfactant. i tried a batch of "diva detergent" on some sheets and socks and they smelled like nothing and felt super clean. would this damage pul?

[sarahannecloud9]

Simple green the all purpose cleaner? I'm not real sure as it's not just a soap/detergent. May have additives that could cause damage. Sorry, I'm just not sure about that one.

[avismomma816]

I would be scared to use simple green... That's a heavy duty cleaner