When laundering cloth diapers, there is a list of detergent additives that are cautioned. This is due to the effects they have on your cloth diapers or baby’s skin. Some may be fine for your regular laundry, but not always for cloth diapers. The additives to look out for are:

Brighteners
Chlorine Bleach
Dyes
Enzymes
Fragrance
Softeners

How are you supposed to remember all of that? You don’t have to. Simply follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Our Customer Center and FAQs should have all the information you will need.

For those of you who like to know the Whys, I would like to explain the reasons why these additives are not recommended. This is my fifth and last post on the issue, with this one addressing Softeners.

Fabric softeners work by coating your laundry with oils and other ingredients that stay on the fabric, leaving it soft and static free. But it also leaves a water-repelling residue and possible carcinogens on your laundry. Fabric softener will also deposit on the inside of your dryer or washer; so if you use fabric softener on your other laundry, the softener will deposit on the cloth diapers when they are washed and dried. The residue can make your cloth diapers less absorbent, as well as possibly deteriorating any water-proof laminate. The residue can usually be removed, but damage to laminate is irreversible.

To remove residue, try running three hot wash cycles with a cloth diaper safe detergent followed by a warm rinse. You can also strip the diapers. Prevention is the best option, helping you to avoid frustration and wasted money and resources. There is another option to keep your laundry soft when using the dryer.

Use Wool Dryer Balls!

In the quest for a non-toxic solution to save resources and avoid fabric softeners, the wool dryer ball was created. The wool dryer balls work by bouncing around in the dryer and “beating” the contents, allowing the warm air to circulate into the fibers of the laundry. This can reduce the drying time by 25-45%!

Wool is a natural material that has zero toxins. These dryer balls are fragrance free, non-toxic, and naturally anti-bacterial. You will typically need from 4-6 wool dryer balls for your dryer.
Here are some great made in the USA options:

• Buddha Bunz: http://buddhabunz.com/store/Default.asp
• Eco Sisters Recycled Wool Dryer Balls: http://www.abesmarket.com/recycled-wool-dryer-balls-set-of-2.html
• Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?search_submit=&q=wool+dryer+balls
• Stoney Mountain Farm: http://www.stoneymountainfarm.com/pages/product-list/wool-dryer-balls.php
• Wooly Rounds: http://www.woolyrounds.com/
• WooldDryerBalls.com: http://wooldryerballs.com/

Here is a link on how to make your own: http://www.ehow.com/how_5151381_make-wool-dryer-balls.html

The use of the wool dryer balls will save you time and money as they are known to reduce drying time, and have no cost after the initial purchase.

Note: I have used the plastic dryer balls, and they did work. However I prefer the wool dryer balls, as they are sustainable, natural, and do not make as much noise in the dryer.

For those of you who use communal machines, I would hang to dry if possible, unless you know that the other users do not use dryer sheets.

You can find detergent rating charts at the following sites, which are a great help in choosing a detergent:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm

If you have any questions, please send to support@thirstiesbaby.com. I will get them there!

Written by Sonya Choron 3/29/12

When laundering cloth diapers, there is a list of detergent additives that are cautioned. This is due to the effects they have on your cloth diapers or baby’s skin. Some may be fine for your regular laundry, but not always for cloth diapers. The additives to look out for are:

Brighteners
Chlorine Bleach
Dyes
Enzymes
Fragrance
Softeners

How are you supposed to remember all of that? You don’t have to. Simply follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Our Customer Center and FAQs should have all the information you will need.

For those of you who like to know the Whys, I would like to explain the reasons why these additives are not recommended. This is my fourth post on the issue, with this one addressing Enzymes.

Enzymes are proteins that are found in every living organism: man, animals, plants and microorganisms. There are four different types of enzymes added to laundry detergents. The two most common are; protease (breaks down protein soils) and amylase (breaks down carbohydrates/starches). Lipase enzymes are useful in breaking down fat based soils, and cellulases break down soils such as dirt and mud. Some detergents employ multiple enzymes. Some of the key benefits of enzymes in detergents besides stain-lifting are: low concentrations, biodegradable, ability to wash in lower temps, softens fabric, and brightening colors and whites. The downfall of some enzymes is that they can be harmful to skin if any residue is left on the diapering items. Protease enzymes seem to be the most “pointed at” culprit. Since these enzymes work on proteins, any residue left on the fabric can “attack” or break down any protein on the baby’s skin. The enzyme does not become inactive after working to break up the stain, so it is essentially looking for another protein to “attack”. Keep in mind, that many detergent ingredients if not rinsed out properly have the possibility to cause irritation.

•  If you choose to use a detergent with enzymes, please be very careful to rinse the diapering items thoroughly.

*Keep in mind, enzymes will become inactive with strong caustic solutions, chlorine or high water temperatures. Ideal wash temperatures are between 125 degrees and 145 degrees F. Our recommended wash temperature is 130 degrees F. So if you use the sanitize cycle (160 F) on an HE machine, the enzymes will become inactive.

You can find detergent rating charts at the following sites, which are a great help in choosing a detergent:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm

If you have any questions, please send to support@thirstiesbaby.com. I will get them there!

Sources include:
http://www.scienceinthebox.com/en_UK/glossary/enzymes2_en.html
http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/a_220-Laundry_Detergent___How_Enzymes_are_Changing_Your_Wash
http://www.laundrytoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=477:enzymes-what-are-they-how-do-they-work-in-laundry-cleaning-why-do-they-work&catid=23:chemicals&Itemid=38

Written by Sonya Choron 3/28/12

When laundering cloth diapers, there is a list of detergent additives that are cautioned. This is due to the effects they have on your cloth diapers or baby’s skin. Some may be fine for your regular laundry, but not for cloth diapers. The additives to look out for are:

Brighteners
Chlorine Bleach
Dyes
Enzymes
Fragrance
Softeners

How are you supposed to remember all of that? You don’t have to. Simply follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Our Customer Center and FAQs should have all the information you will need.

For those of you who like to know the Whys, I would like to explain the reasons why these additives are not recommended. This is my third post on the issue, with this one addressing Dyes and Fragrances.

Dyes have no use in detergents, besides coloring the liquid. Dyes may not totally rinse out of the diapers. They can be toxic to aquatic organisms, and harmful to baby’s skin. Dyes may contribute to diaper rash.

• Best to avoid

Fragrances can be natural or artificial, but are never necessary. Keep in mind that although we like nice smelling clothing, babies are more sensitive than adults, and can be overwhelmed by fragrance.

Natural fragrance would come from essential oils of flowers and/or plants. Although natural, they can cause skin and/or respiratory irritation. Oils can also inhibit the absorbing properties of cloth diapers. Natural fragrances may contribute to diaper rash, depending on the concentration.

• Use with caution.

Artificial fragrances are often made from petroleum, and can be toxic to aquatic organisms. They can cause eye and skin irritation, as well as respiratory reactions. They are typically more concentrated than natural fragrance, and will last on the clothing longer. Artificial fragrances may contribute to diaper rash.

• Best to avoid.

You can find detergent rating charts at the following sites, which are a great help in choosing a detergent:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm

If you have any questions, please send to support@thirstiesbaby.com. I will get them there!

Written by Sonya Choron 3/23/12

When laundering cloth diapers, there is a list of detergent additives that are cautioned. This is due to the effects they have on your cloth diapers or baby’s skin. Some may be fine for your regular laundry, but not for cloth diapers. The additives to look out for are:

Brighteners
Chlorine Bleach
Dyes
Enzymes
Fragrance
Softeners

How are you supposed to remember all of that? You don’t have to. Simply follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Our Customer Center and FAQs should have all the information you will need.

For those of you who like to know the Whys, I would like to explain the reasons why these additives are not recommended. This is my second post on the issue, with this one addressing Bleach.

Now, there is an ongoing discussion in the cloth diapering world as to use bleach or not use bleach. I think this depends on what type of bleach we are talking about. Bleach in general is usually thought of as Chlorine Bleach, but there are other types. Here are two of the most common used in laundry detergents:

Hydrogen Peroxide:
Other names: Peroxide, Hydrogen Dioxide, Hydroperoxide
Classification: Bleach
Toxicity: Low

Sodium Percarbonate:
Other names: Oxygen Bleach, Perhydrate, Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate, PC, and Sodium Carbonate Peroxide
Classification: Bleach
Toxicity: Low

Any bleach additive can be harsh on fabrics and components, but the safer ingredients include Hydrogen Peroxide and Sodium Percarbonate. Sodium Percarbonate is an oxidizing agent – a mixture of Sodium Carbonate (washing soda) and Hydrogen Peroxide. Dissolved in water, it yields a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (which eventually decomposes to water and oxygen) and Sodium Carbonate. Sodium Percarbonate looks to be the one most used in laundry detergents.

A Chlorine Bleach is not typically added to laundry detergents. Chlorine bleach is also known as Sodium Hypochlorite, and is available in pure form as an additive (liquid bleach). It is highly toxic, and will disintegrate the fibers on your diapering products.

Sodium Hypochlorite:
Other names: Chlorine bleach, Chlorine, Clorox, Sodium Chlorate(I)
Classification: Bleach
Toxicity: High

*Please note: The use of  Chlorine Bleach will void the warranty on Thirsties products, unless otherwise recommended by Thirsties Inc.

Thirsties recommends: If you have stubborn stains that you just can’t live with, you may use an oxygen bleach according to package directions. Use only as needed, but no more than once a month. No soaking for more than 10 minutes on items with components or lamination. If your baby has an illness, and the diapers need to be disinfected for medical reasons, please contact us.

You can find detergent rating charts at the following sites, which are a great help in choosing a detergent:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm

If you have any questions, please send to support@thirstiesbaby.com. I will get them there!

Written by Sonya Choron 2/13/12

When laundering cloth diapers, there is a list of detergent additives that are cautioned. This is due to the effects they have on your cloth diapers or baby’s skin. Some may be fine for your regular laundry, but not for cloth diapers. The additives to look out for are:

Brighteners
Chlorine Bleach
Dyes
Enzymes
Fragrance
Softeners

How are you supposed to remember all of that? You don’t have to. Simply follow the recommendations of the manufacturer in terms of washing and detergent use. Our Customer Center and FAQs should have all the information you will need.

For those of you who like to know the Whys, I would like to explain the reasons why these additives are not recommended. This is my first post on the issue, with this one addressing Brighteners.

Brighteners, or Optical Brighteners, are actually dyes that stick to the surface of the fabric in the wash. These particles make fabrics seem cleaner by absorbing invisible ultraviolet light, and re-emitting it as blue light. (You can actually see these particles under a black light.) Although these optical brighteners may make your clothes appear brighter, they are chemical residues that are intentionally left behind on your clothes and may cause skin irritation or other allergic reactions.

I have not found any evidence to say that brighteners harm fabric, but our recommendation is to avoid them for the sake of baby’s skin and health.

You can find detergent rating charts at the following sites, which are a great help in choosing a detergent:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm

If you have any questions, please send me an email at support@thirstiesbaby.com!

~Sonya