Demystifying Cloth Diapers: What detergent is best?
Which Detergent Should I use?
First of all, it is important to note that you do NOT need a lot of detergent to wash your cloth diapers. In fact, you only require about 1/4 of the amount of detergent you would use for a regular load of laundry. Cloth diapers are easily susceptible to build-up, so you want to make sure that you are adhering to the cloth diaper manufacturer’s recommendations to a T.
You do not necessarily need to buy “special” laundry detergent if what you currently use meets the manufacturer’s standards. Essentially you want a detergent that is FREE of dyes, fragrances, softeners, enzymes, brighteners and bleach. ESPECIALLY BLEACH-FREE. Bleach will literally eat through your cloth diapers, and soon enough you will see tiny holes in your precious dipes. A few suitable laundry detergents, which I personally use, include:
Allens Naturally Powdered and Liquid Laundry Detergents
Arm & Hammer Essentials Free (fragrance and dye free versions)
Nellie’s Nellie’s Laundry Soda
Rockin Green Soft, Classic & Hard
Quick Tip! Adding baking soda to your wash cycle and distilled white vinegar to your rinse cycle will brighten up your cloth diapers like they were brand spankin’ new!
Interested in learning more about Cloth Diapering? Part 1 of my “Demystifying Cloth Diapers” series is a good start! I also have information about urine buildup on cloth diapers, if that is something you are interested in learning about. Or, if you want to learn about stripping your cloth diapers, I have a post about that, too! Have a cloth diaper related question? You’re not alone! Feel free to ask and I will respond directly to you and write a post on it for my other readers 
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Tags: Allens, Arm & Hammer, baking, build-up, CD, clean, cloth, detergent, diaper, diapering, dirty, distilled, launder, laundry, machine, Nellies, Rockin Green, soap, soda, soiled, strip, stripping, vinegar, wash, white
Filed under: Organic/Eco-Friendly
I used Nellies for a while but got sick of the weird “non scent” that it has. I can’t describe it, but now I only use Rockin Green!
Jenn Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 4:24 PM
I know exactly what you mean – I also like my stuff to smell good (or at least like SOMETHING).
1 Fiona said this (June 9, 2011 at 8:10 PM)
following you from the new friends blog hop posted on punk rock momma thanks for aprticipating
jessica punk rock momma recently posted..Slumber party fun
Jenn Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 4:23 PM
Thank YOU!
2 jessica punk rock momma said this (June 12, 2011 at 11:15 AM)
Thanks for posting up what wash workS for you, I know starting on cd ip an be daunting with the laundry issues some have. I’m thinking of trying RnG sometime soon. Apparently I live in their home town so I can go their store proper. Neat huh?
Jenn Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 4:21 PM
I highly recommend RnG! :)
3 MichelleSG said this (August 5, 2011 at 3:16 PM)
I have used Charlie’s but have to order it online — that stuff is great. I only use 1/4 of the recommended amount and it lasts me quite a long time. The diapers smell clean, which I prefer. Nellie’s is sold locally and I think I’ll give that a try.
I also use 1/2 to 1 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle now and then to maintain the proper pH. (It also helps with stinky dipes.) I hang them on the line in the sun whenever possible to keep them stain-free. Works like a charm.
Thank you for this review!
4 Sig's Mama said this (August 26, 2011 at 10:37 AM)
Thanks for sharing what works for you! I’ve tried quite a few different brands, but Rockin Green has always worked great. Now that I have a toddler and the infamous toddler pee, I add a bit of Funk Rock every other wash and the ammonia is gone.
5 Julie said this (October 25, 2011 at 12:25 PM)