I am going to go out on a limb here and put to rest some common myths about washing cloth diapers. If you are using any of these methods and they make you happy and your diapers clean, keep doing exactly what works for you. I can only tell you what 4 years of research and experience, both mine and many, many others, have taught me.

* “Any old detergent will do, “they” just want to sell you something expensive.” I wish I was making a killing off of selling cloth diaper detergent, but honestly I carry it for customer convenience – it is simply not a profitable product. My favorite detergent comes out to about 10 cents per load, less if you buy it in bulk. If you do diapers 3 times per week, that comes out to a whopping $31.20 over two years. Thank you for buying from me and putting my kid through college. Oh, wait, of that $31.20, after paying shipping from them to me and then to you, and paying for the actual detergent, I make…. Well, she is pretty, she doesn’t need college, right?

* “You can make your own detergent with bar soap and….”  I make handmade soap. It would be great to sell more by telling people it is good for diapers. I prefer not to have mobs of angry, Snappi wielding moms at my door, thank you!

Soap leaves a residue. Good handmade soap leaves lovely moisturizing oils on your skin. You don’t want those on your diapers. If you don’t believe me, try watching the old Zest commercials. Don’t even get me started on Fels Naptha. Read the safety information on that stuff before you decide to grind it into a powder where your family can breathe it. Google it.

* “A chemical-free detergent is best.”  Chemicals are naturally occurring and that is just dandy, since they allow life to exist. Some chemicals are really, really bad for you and the environment – like phosphates. Some chemicals are really, really good for you – like citric acid (vitamin C). Calling something natural does not mean it is chemical free – and calling something a chemical does not make it bad for you – even if it helps you sell more of whatever it is you are selling.

* “Natural detergents are best.” Detergents such as  Seventh Generation are made with plant oils. They leave behind a residue. Residues are generally something you want to avoid on cloth diapers. There are many naturally occuring chemicals that are used in cloth diaper detergents. Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is one very common ingredient that seems to make diapers nice and clean without leaving a residue.

Stay tuned for part 2!

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