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Very hard well water |
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honeybee1999 
P'invisible 
Joined: 28 Dec 2011 Location: United States Points: 16 |
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 Topic: Very hard well waterPosted: 15 Jan 2012 at 1:50pm |
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My diapers just aren't getting as clean as I'd like them to. I was using All Free and Clear until recently when I realized my pocket diapers were getting build-up and starting to leak. So I switched to Allen's Naturally powder and am using 1 scoop in my top-loader, but I think because my water is so hard it just isn't doing a good enough job. I can still smell ick on my diapers after washing them. So my question is, should I try increasing the amount of detergent I use? Or should I try using a water softening additive from the grocery store? Or should I try a detergent meant for hard water (I am considering Rockin Green Hard Rock)?
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horseymama
P'insightful 
Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Points: 2700 |
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Posted: 15 Jan 2012 at 2:25pm |
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I also have really hard well water and the only thing that both got our diapers clean and didn't irritate my DD (she has super sensitive skin) was Vaska unscented. She's PLed now but I still use it on her clothes.
I tried Tide, Tide F&C, Purex, several other "conventional" detergents, Rockin Green and Crunchy Clean in their hard water formulas and Lil' Outlaws. I think that's everything, there may have been a couple more.  The Rockin Green and Crunchy Clean each worked okay for a little while but were never wonderful and I don't think either one got my dipes super clean as they started having bad stink after awhile. But Vaska worked great for almost 2 whole years is still working great on her clothes! |
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musicmama
P'inspector 
Member Rating(8)  Perennial Pinner 5 years 98 days Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Location: United States Points: 21874 |
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Posted: 15 Jan 2012 at 11:27pm |
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I have super hard water too. You might want to try adding Calgon when you do your det. wash. Also, I find RLR works well to strip minerals. If your water has a basic/alkaline pH, you can try some vinegar as well. I use that in my final cycle.
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Christine
DS1-G (1/06), DS2-D (1/08), DS3-S (4-10) |
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erinchelsea
P'infamous 
Member Rating(21) P'insane  Perennial Pinner 5 years 47 days Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Location: Central Iowa Points: 28579 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 11:38am |
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IMO it's tough to do pockets (anything with synthetic fibers) in hard water. I had trouble with All F&C even with city water. No way could I use it with our well water. I'd try something else.
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Erin, happy wife of Jason (7/21/07) and mama to Abram (3/09) and Adrie (6/11).
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horseymama
P'insightful
Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Points: 2700 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 12:50pm |
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Oh yes, ITA about the mf pocket inserts in hard water, I should have said that before. I used pocket shells for out and about diapers with DD and didn't have problems with them, but I stuffed them with flats, not with the inserts that came with them.
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musicmama
P'inspector
Member Rating(8) Perennial Pinner 5 years 98 days Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Location: United States Points: 21874 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 2:45pm |
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Yeah, I use pockets all the time w/ no problems. I stuff w/ flats though.
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Christine
DS1-G (1/06), DS2-D (1/08), DS3-S (4-10) |
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mommyjessica
P'integral 
Member Rating(21) Perennial Pinner 5 years 279 days Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Location: Here and Now Points: 9437 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 3:50pm |
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we have that kind of water too. i use thirsties prewash and superwash. i generally end up washing at least three times. cold w/ pre wash, hot with super and an extra cold soak or wash. i use mostly flats but also some mf. i do have to add bleach on occasion. probably every third wash or so. i doubt i would need it with flats only. also, a good soak w/ super iron out helps. i have done it twice in a year and a half i guess. i also use calgon sometimes. it is a battle for sure. i hope you find what works for you.
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Jessica- Wife to Jared, Mommy to Tiffany Eve- born gorgeous on 12-31-07, Emily Jane- born lovely on 5-10-10, Lucy Renee- born beautiful on 10-3-12
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honeybee1999
P'invisible
Joined: 28 Dec 2011 Location: United States Points: 16 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 4:22pm |
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We're hoping to move in a couple of months and we'll be back on city water, so hopefully that will help then. In the meantime I'm going to try adding calgon, or maybe stop using the microfiber and try stuffing my pockets with prefolds and see if that helps. My prefolds always come out clean...it's definitely the microfiber that stinks. Thanks, all!
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erinchelsea
P'infamous
Member Rating(21) P'insane Perennial Pinner 5 years 47 days Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Location: Central Iowa Points: 28579 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 4:32pm |
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sounds like a good plan!
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Erin, happy wife of Jason (7/21/07) and mama to Abram (3/09) and Adrie (6/11).
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