Is my wash routine overkill?

[NFPMommy6709]

This is what my wash routine looks like or the dipes don't get clean.

Prewash for a rinse.
Hot wash with Tide original liquid, oxyclean, and vinegar.
Once a month I need to add a 1/4 cup of bleach (diluted in 4 cups water)
Extra rinse
Pre wash for another rinse

Dry.

I am wondering what I can change to make it easier. Or is this typical? The bleach is necessary AT LEAST once a month or the kids get rashes. I wash every two or three days.

[McDMom]

That's about what mine looks like.

[togetherinthelandofoz]

Originally Posted by NFPMommy6709 This is what my wash routine looks like or the dipes don't get clean. Prewash for a rinse. Hot wash with Tide original liquid, oxyclean, and vinegar. Once a month I need to add a 1/4 cup of bleach (diluted in 4 cups water) Extra rinse Pre wash for another rinse Dry. I am wondering what I can change to make it easier. Or is this typical? The bleach is necessary AT LEAST once a month or the kids get rashes. I wash every two or three days.

Mine is similar but a little shorter:
Prewash/rinse
Hot wash with Tide to line 1/1.5
(occasionally add vinegar or oxyclean but not every load)
Extra Rinse
Line Dry or Tumble Dry Low

*But if you're little ones are prone to rashes and you've found something that works, you may not want to change your routine. The type of water and type of diaper can make a difference so what works for one stash may not work for another.

[qsefthuko]

I do a bit more intensive just because I don't want stains and am a bit paranoid.

Prewash with 1/2 cup washing soda and detergent
Wash with 1/2 cup of borax, 1/2 cup oxyclean, and detergent. I let fill and agitate for 1 minute to thouroughly mix the detergent and additives. Stop the washer and let soak for 6 hours(I start the process at night so it soaks while I am sleeping). In the morning I resume the wash cycle.

Double rinse with a natural fabric softener in the final rinse. Sometimes I add vinegar to the first rinse as well.

I do all the diaper cycles in 140 degree water.

[NFPMommy6709]

Ok. Good to know I am not alone.


Does anyone else find that they need to use bleach frequently? I am worried about that hurting the diapers long term. They get stinky if I don't bleach once a month, though.

[hilaryisinked]

I think it's fine. Mine is similar.
Warm prewash
Hot wash with Tide
Built in rinse plus extra rinse
Dry everything on hot

[nonipie]

To me that's a lot. Why oxy, vinegar and bleach? Something is not working if you have to use all of them. Have you tried just using more detergent and skipping the oxy and vinegar? Why another wash? For me that would be very aggravating since I am too busy to be fussing with all that. I have lots of other laundry so I can't have the washer tied up like that. I do short prewash or rinse then hot wash with Tide Free powder and occasionally bleach, cold rinse.

[iheartua07]

I have a similar routine

Warm prerinse
Hot wash with Allen's and oxy
Two cold rinses
Short warm cycle if there are still bubbles in the second rinse

Originally Posted by nonipie To me that's a lot. Why oxy, vinegar and bleach? Something is not working if you have to use all of them. Have you tried just using more detergent and skipping the oxy and vinegar? Why another wash? For me that would be very aggravating since I am too busy to be fussing with all that. I have lots of other laundry so I can't have the washer tied up like that. I do short prewash or rinse then hot wash with Tide Free powder and occasionally bleach, cold rinse.

If you use bleach, you need vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar neutralizes the bleach. Esp since the op has rash issues, she should def use vinegar when she uses bleach.

[nonipie]

Why would it need to be neutralized though? If it's rinsed out then what's the issue? I'm curious as I have never needed to do this in several years. If you feel you need the vinegar fine but she's using it even when not using the bleach. Then what is the oxy for? If you still need bleach and vinegar then why use the oxy at all?


If you use bleach, you need vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar neutralizes the bleach. Esp since the op has rash issues, she should def use vinegar when she uses bleach.[/QUOTE]

[Spunkify]

I'd nix the liquid Tide and change to powder. I'd also stop the vinegar. It sounds to me like one, or both, of those things is causing residue rashes. I'd change the pre-wash to two hot washes and see if that works better for you at removing whatever residue is there.

I've NEVER used vinegar with bleach. That's very dangerous. It producing chlorine gas.