For those wanting to be more self sufficient...

[BJ]

Let us know how it works out. I'm curious about how much suds it will produce since I have one of the HE-type washing machines. Looking forward to hearing how it worked out!!

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:
Cloth diapers are great, and nothing like the trouble some people make them out to be.

You DO NOT need to buy or make the fancy expensive newfangled fitted things though. Just get a couple dozen prefolds (they are so cheap it's not even worth making your own, buy from a wahm - and they are *super super* useful around the house once outgrown) and 2-3 pairs of good qualility vinyl pants (I like Bummis) or wool knit pants (more expensive but natural and work just as well) and you are in business. (Make sure to pre-wash the prefolds as per directions before first use)

DO NOT use the wet diaper pail method - just toss em into a dry pail (after washing the worst of the poo off in the toilet - you can buy a squirty thing that easily attaches to your toilet plumbing to make this easier if you don't like the dunk-and-flush method), then launder like any normal 'heavily soiled' load every 2-3 days. Machine-drying makes diapers softer; line-drying fixes any lingering smells; you may want to combine or alternate.

I actually do use disposables on long outings, or even on a short trip to store if I think a poo is imminant or a good place to do a change may be hard to find. But cloth is no problem when you're out, just carry a waterproof bag to take the used diaper home in.

And then when the kids are toilet trained you have these marvellously soft absorbent cloths to use for all sorths of other household purposes!

Good luck,

Pat, with 1 out of diapers and 1 still in

Yeah, what Pat said!

I've got my little one in cloth. It's great. He's 7 months old and I have never bought ONE disposable! (though someone gifted me a pack and we've used them a few times, usually when we need to do a load of diaper wash)

It's not hard. It's cheap. It's great. If anyone wants any info, feel free to ask me here or PM me. I love talking cloth daipers!!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Ditto. I recently purchased a nice, very energy efficient HE washer and would hate to damage it. It clearly says in the directions and in stickers all over it, not to use ANYthing but HE detergents. But, it really bothers me to buy all those plastic bottles of detergent. I would love to find a way to avoid throwing away these containers which is part of the reason that finding another way to do my detergent appeals to me. I like the liquid detergent, just not the bottles it comes in.

 

[tiki244]

There is practically no suds at all, it smells great, and cleans really really well!! Ive been doing laundry for a few hours now and Im sold. I tried to post a link on this forum and my computer went bonkers so it took me about an hour to get back on line.

yeah I dont like buying all those bottles either, but besides that I am going to save a lot of money making laundry detergent.

 

[BJ]

It sound like you made the gel type. Did it take a long time to make it? I'm excited to hear the "good news" that it works well and is low suds!!!!!

 

[tiki244]

yes it does work well and it is very low suds. Im washing a BUNCH of animal blankets and it is getting them quite clean. I dont think I would have such good luck with regular laundry soap.

I really like the smell of the laundry detergent, I used Fels Naptha for my bar soap. And Gel? Boy did it ever, last night it was liguid and when I looked it at noon it was pretty solid, kinda like some jello with a little more substance. Well I didnt measure real accuritely so I dont know if that would have made a difference.

I was reading this Forum about the stuff people make instead of buy:--- and usually I dont do this---- but my carpet was really soiled and I bought a spray can of carpet cleaner last night that you spray, dry, and vacuum.. Today I sprayed it on the carpet and it did get it clean, but, about 1/2 hour later I got the lightening bolts in front of my eyes that you get with migraine headaches and then I got the headache. I opened all the doors for about an hour. It was scary, I suppose there is a neurotoxin in that cleaner. Maybe I will just get a darker carpet!!!!!

 

[fosterchick]

I have made the laundry soap years ago. I want to make it again. But I can't find washing soap anywhere. Where so you buy your washing soap??

 

[BrahmaMama]

Fosterchick, I was told Walmart carries it, and I saw some just the other day at our grocery store-Hyvee. It was in the laundry detergent aisle...I think by the boxed soaps, and the Borax. I'm sure Wallyworld would have it in the same place.

Edited to add: I was talking about "washing *Soda*" If that's what you meant

I just remember because it's made by Arm and Hammer, and reminds me of baking soda...except the baking part, lol!

 

[fosterchick]

sorry I did mean washing soda. I went to walmart and the local grocery stores, no one know what it is. It has been years since I bought it. I lived in another state then. Thanks for your help.

 

[fosterchick]

I will just keep looking