This is our second instalment on cloth diaper care. One of the hottest topics regarding cloth diapers is what detergent to use when washing them. There are a number of options available from mainstream detergents to ones specifically geared to use on cloth diapers. Our clients always want to know "What detergent should I use on my diapers?" Read on to find out the answers!
We did a great deal of research on this topic and want to acknowledge a wonderful resource in Shirley Murdock at Bummis. She has a background in chemistry so any questions we have on detergents, their ingredients and suitability for use on cloth diapers can be successfully answered.
Some of the science behind detergent, key ingredients to look for, recommended varieties for use on cloth diapers and local sources of recommended brands will be shared.
As we noted in our first instalment on cloth diaper care, location and water hardness will be a factor in how well detergents will work. What works for some may not work for others but this is intended to be a guide that will give you a great place to start on developing a successful care routine.
Water hardness will be a very large factor in doing any type of laundry including diaper laundry. Variations in pH will be evident from province to province, city to city and even from household to household. There may be a detergent that works well for your neighbour but not at all for you simply because they may have a slightly different routine or some other factors that contribute to laundry success. If they have a water softener and your house does not, that will impact on how detergent performs.
The Science Behind Detergent
Let's start with some of the science behind detergent and highlight some key ingredients that can be very good and in turn, very bad.
Ingredients in detergents may include the following:
Sodium Carbonate– is known as a builder and is an ingredient that you will want to have in your detergent. Sodium Carbonate is a surfactant as these help to dislodge dirt from fabric and hold it in suspension so that it is not redeposited on the fabric during washing. Builders are water softeners. These chemical compounds are agents that remove calcium ions by complexation or precipitation. Typical builders are sodium carbonate, complexation agents, soap, and zeolites. They function by sequestering or precipitating the problematic ions.
Sodium Bicarbonate – is problematic if detergents use too much and it can be harsh on finer fabrics like bamboo. Tots Bots does not recommend detergents that contain Sodium Bicarbonate for use on their products. If it is not completely washed and rinsed from the fabric, residual sodium bicarbonate will attack fabric in the dryer.
Sodium Percarbonate – is an acceptable oxygenated bleach component as long as it does not have any other components combined with it for that purpose. If used sparingly or in moderation it will work well for most fabrics. You will want to ensure it is completely rinsed from fabrics. It may be safe to use but if not completely washed out of fabric before drying, it will break down all fabrics, not just those that are sensitive or delicate.
Enzymes - The enzymes used in laundry detergents act on materials that make up a variety of stains and soils so that these materials can be washed away more easily. These enzymes are named after the materials they can act upon, for example, proteases break down protein based stains, lipolases break down lipid (fat) based stains and amylases break down starches and other carbohydrate based stains (amyl is Greek for starch). Since one enzyme molecule can act on many substrate (i.e., soil) molecules, a small amount of enzyme added to a laundry detergent can provide a big cleaning impact according to manufacturers. However, enzymes can cause rashes, blisters and sores for some babies if they have sensitive skin or if it is not completely washed out of the fabric and becomes reactivated by urine or bowel movements causing a skin reaction.
Fragrance – either natural or synthetic, these additions to detergent are not essential cleaning ingredients and for those with allergies or sensitive skin, they can cause reactions in some.
Optical Brighteners – these chemicals are added to some detergents to help bend or refract the light to make clothing appear cleaner or whiter. They can be problematic in that they will cause build up over time in the fabric and lead to leaking or wicking problems with diapers and insert material.
Fabric Softeners– either built into detergent, added as a liquid or used in the dryer in the form of dryer sheets are not recommended as they will cause build up and leave a residue which will cause leaking. Items like dryer balls will help reduce static in the dryer if you wish to dry your diapers in that way. Even if you use fabric softener on other laundry and not in the loads of cloth diaper laundry, it can still leave a residue in your machine and dryer which can be transferred onto your cloth diaper laundry when it is being washed and/or dried.
Pure Soap– despite being a more natural cleaning component, pure soaps will leave a scum or residue on fabric and it will build up over time leading to leaking and repelling issues. Detergent which states it contains soap will not be the best choice for cloth diapers.
If you have a solid wash routine and a good detergent choice, then laundering cloth diapers can be successful for everyone.
Detergent Information Listing
For a detailed listing of recommended cloth diaper detergents please check out Bummis detergent information here.
Local Sources of Recommended Detergents
Here are the locations in Humboldt, Saskatoon and area that carry the following brands recommended for use on cloth diapers:
Humboldt:
Nature Clean and some varieties of Seventh Generation - Causeway Natural Health
St. Brieux:
Nature Clean - Lifewise Body Systems
Saskatoon:
Nature Clean - Dad's Nutrition, Nutters on Primrose Drive, Sangster's, Superstore
Country Save - London Drugs
Nellie's Laundry Soda - London Drugs
Seventh Generation - Delicate Care variety only is recommended for use on cloth diapers - Dad's Nutrition has some varieties of Seventh Generation
For Watkin's Laundry Powder contact your local Watkin's area representative.
As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We love to hear from you. If you need troubleshooting tips or laundry fixes, we can help!
Now that summer's here you can also hang those luvly cloth diapers on the line to dry. They'll smell so fresh and clean and the sun will naturally bleach out any stains.
That wraps up our second instalment on cloth diaper care. Our next topic in this area will address how to keep your diaper pail smelling fresh - even in summer. Now that's going to be sweet!
Baby Luv Boutique
http://www.babyluvboutique.com
(306) 682-5746
1-866-231-5135
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