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The Great Detergent Debate
The nitty gritty...
There are different suggestions for which detergent to use with cloth diapers, and many
recommendations are conflicting.  That is because everyone has their own wash
routine, local water hardness and mineral content, and diapers.  If you are just starting
with cloth diapers, we recommend using Original Tide in Powder(not Tide Free),
Allen's Naturally, or Charlie's Soap.  Follow our wash routine here, and you're set!

If you would like to learn more about detergents and how they affect cloth diapers, or
have problems with your current detergent, read on!

There  are three problems that can develop with cloth diapers and covers: smelling,
repelling, and wicking.  Bad smelling diapers can be caused either by using too little
detergent or by detergent build-up.  Repelling diapers are caused by either using a
detergent that coats the diapers with a waxy substance (like fabric softener), or by using
soap.  Wicking is caused by some failure in the waterproof layer of the cloth diaper
cover.  Let's take a look at these issues in more detail.
 
The scenario is fairly common... new cloth diapers are used and washed for several
weeks, perhaps months.  Everything is going great, and all your friends and relatives
are learning how exciting and easy cloth diapers are to use.  Then you notice that a few
of your diapers seem too smell a little more than usual.  No big deal, perhaps the water
wasn't hot enough last time, or there wasn't enough detergent.  Then, one day you pull
the diapers out of the dryer and they smell!  Wait, didn't you just wash them?  Or they
come out smelling great, but as soon as your baby wets, they begin to smell.  Your
friends start to wonder how often your baby gets a bath... what happened?
 
No detergent rinses completely clean.  Every detergent, even all natural ones, leave some amount of residue
behind.   Most mainstream brands can leave enough residue behind, that after several washes, clothes will actually
begin to weigh more.  The additives used in detergents coat the fibers in cloth diapers and it is this coating that
begins to retain odors.  Some detergents leave residues that leave your diapers smelling great, until baby wets.  
Then, the urine interacts with the residue, and a pungent odor is released.

The trick is to find a detergent, that combines with your wash routine, water-type, and baby's skin, works for you.  And
since the ingredient list of most detergents is proprietary, this has to be done with some experimentation.  Luckily,
we can use the experience of other cloth diaper users to help us find which detergents to avoid and which are safe.  
Take a look at the list below for guidance.


Solving the Smell Issue
So residues cause cloth diapers to smell... what is the solution?  You will need to remove the residue, also called
detergent build-up, by stripping your diapers (see below).  We recommend using Sensi-Clean.  Remember, after
your diapers are stripped, you will want to switch detergents, otherwise they will begin to smell again.
This problem is specific to the inner fleece layer of pocket diapers (Fuzzi Bunz, Happy
Heiny's, bumGenius!, Swaddlebees, etc.).  Any detergent that coats diapers with a waxy
layer, either instantly, or over time, will also coat this fleece layer, causing it to repel.  
Then, when your baby wets, the liquid will be repelled by the fleece layer and travel out
the sides of the diaper.  When this happens, baby's diaper will leak, but the insert will
not be completely wet, since most of the wetness escaped.
 
Solving the Repelling Issue
When your diapers begin to repel, they will need to be stripped (see below).  We recommend using Sensi-Clean.  
Remember, after your diapers are stripped, you will want to switch detergents, otherwise they will begin to repel
again.
First of all, most PUL covers will naturally breakdown over time with every day use.  
Bummis Super Whisper Wrap covers, for example, are rated for 100 washes.  Some
people are able to use their covers longer than this, and others begin to experience
wicking at about 100 washes.

To lengthen the life of any cover, do not use anything that will cause the lamination to
breakdown.  This includes bleach, large amounts of vinegar, or excessive drying.  In
addition, some detergents (even natural ones) have chemicals that are known for
causing wicking problems with covers.  If your cover is wicking and fairly new, then
drying the cover in the dryer on high heat one or two times will reseal the PUL and often
solves wicking problems.
 
You can find recommendations for detergents here.  Remember that everyone has
different local water hardness, which will affect the performance of these detergents.  In
general, less expensive detergents are better, as they contain less additives which can
leave detergent residue.
 
What is build-up?
Build up means your diapers have a film coating on the
fibers.  You will notice this because they may come out of the
washer and dryer smelling and will lose some absorbency.  
Pocket diapers and All In Ones that worked great when new
may begin leaking.
Don't worry!  It's easy to strip them!
  
 
Use 1 capful of Sensi-Clean on a warm cycle to strip them.  Follow this wash with two
more hot washes to remove any Sensi-Clean residue and then dry.  Sensi-Clean (also
labelled as Sports-Wash) is biodegradable and is made from vegetable based
surfactants.  A very small percentage of babies are allergic to Sensi-Clean and will
develop a severe rash after its use.  For this reason, remember to rinse the diapers
with at least two hot washes and watch your baby's bottom closely for any reaction.  
Alternatively, you can use 1/16 - 1/8 cup of Dawn Original dish detergent instead,
although we have not found this method to be nearly as effective.