Bleach

[AnneD]

Has anyone ever used bleach with cloth nappies? I know BumGenius recommend using 1/4 cup of bleach in the wash every so often, but I've never done it. Any experience with that?

 

[Rachel_C]

I've bleached old grey microfibre inserts but I don't like to use chlorine bleach regularly because it's pretty nasty stuff to be pouring down the drain. It didn't make as much of a difference as I expected really (to staining/dingy grey colour), though I probably could have done it again and might make more of a difference if done regularly. It would probably invalidate a lot of your warranties though, on other brands that don't recommend it.

I do use a lot of 'eco bleach' (usually sodium percarbonate e.g. Clean & Natural Laundry Bleach, Ecover Laundry Bleach, Violet's, same kind of thing as OxyClean but without added nasty chemicals). It does take out stains on things quite well I find if done quickly and it seems to brighten general white washing quite well.

I don't think bleach should be needed for preventing build up, it'd be better to work out your washing routine rather than using bleach to fix it.

 

[AnneD]

Thanks, Rachel. My washing routine is actually fine, no issues with smells or leaks, I just had a moment of questioning my non-following of the BG recommended bleaching routine.

 

[Rachel_C]

Sounds like you have it perfect without it

 

[Stellae]

Ohhhh yes. Once a month, because I'm neurotic and because LO is super super sensitive to ammonia and that's the only thing I've tried that truly works for him. You don't need much and it kills off all kinds off funk! I always rinse 2-3 times after though, just to be sure.

If you don't need to though I wouldn't bother, it can be harsh on the materials the diaper is made of.

 

[AnneD]

Thanks, Stellae, good to know. What nappies do you have if you don't mind me asking?

 

[minties]

I do once a month with my prefolds, and rinse rinse rinse afterwards. Just brightens them up a bit and gets rid of any slightly funky smells.

 

[Stellae]

I use BumGenius 4.0's and a few Econobums (which are just cotton prefolds).

 

[AnneD]

Thank you, both!