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In this Discussion
- DiapeesAndwipees October 2012
- Rg1234 October 2012
- TaraB October 2012
Before commenting please use wise judgement with your words. This forum is solely to provide answers to cloth diaper questions and make the whole process easier. Thank you for your participation!
Fabric Softener
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I quit using fabric softener a couple of years ago due to the chemicals and negative health effects, but recently I've heard about natural fabric softener brands like: Ecover, Mrs. Meyers, and Seventh Generation. Who have used these with their clothes and/or diapers? Someone on facebook re-posted a post from Autumn about using fabric softener on cloth diapers occasionally (excluding microfleece). So, it made me curious. I just wanted to see how many people have done it? I'm sick of stiff sometimes scratchy diapers!Tara Alderman
Owner of Half Pint's Baby Boutique
Mom to one precious boy 
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Hi,
Fabric softener causes cloth diaper materials to lose their absorbency. When microfleece is on the inside of a diaper it will repel moisture when rinsed in fabric softener. If your diaper cover is made of fleece this wouldn’t be a problem, it would actually enhance its purpose. However, the health risks still stand. PUL breaks down faster causing wicking to occur.
No one likes crunchy diapers though. Brand new diapers come to you squishy soft then after a couple of months of washing and using they become stiff and rough. Hemp, terry, cotton and velour are the worst at hardening over time. There are alternatives to chemical-laden fabric softeners. The most basic household remedy for softening your cloth diapers is White Distilled Vinegar. Vinegar acts like a magnet collecting the free electrons that lead to static cling. Fabric is softened when these electrons are removed and the molecules are balanced. It can be added to a Downy ball and tossed in the washer. More is not better when it comes to using vinegar.
Best Regards,
Diapees Andwipees
Baby showers gifts -
Thanks for the response! I've avoided vinegar in the wash because we've always had extremely hard well water, and I've read that you should not use vinegar in hard water. However, we have moved and I do not think our water is as hard here as it was at our other house. I think I feel more comfortable giving the vinegar a try before the other softeners. I love my diapers with velour, but I hate how they get stiff over time.Tara Alderman
Owner of Half Pint's Baby Boutique
Mom to one precious boy -
What about dryer balls? I know some people have had a lot of luck with them.
