Posted by KarenC on August 20, 19103 at 07:28:33:
In Reply to: Shout Oxygen Powder (how do diapers stay white?) posted by Shannon B on August 19, 19103 at 23:22:23:
Hi Shannon,
I don't know anything specifically about this product but if it's like Oxyclean then I would exercise the same caution in using it. I personally don't use any whitening agents on my diapers and neither do most people I know. I would rather deal with a few stains than have my diapers wear out faster and reduce their resale value. The only thing besides vinegar and detergent that I put in with my diapers is baking soda. And the only reason I even use vinegar and baking soda is because I use some fleece pocket diapers and it's good to help prevent odors in the fleece (I was having some minor problems for a while). Before I had the fleece diapers I only ever used detergent. I personally use President's Choice perfume, phosphate and dye free detergent but you can use whatever regular detergent you want, so long as it doesn't have bleach or softeners in it (watch out for 'baby' detergents, many have softeners).
As to how diapers stay white (if you don't use whitening agents) well, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. If you start with unbleached diapers, the stains will show much less so if you're worried about stains get the unbleached. Sun also helps, I've heard of some people hanging in windows and saying it works (though I've never tried it).
A couple hints on preventing stains.... A wet pail tends to result in less stains than a dry one, simply because the poop has less of a chance to dry on and set. Liners help reduce stains as they prevent a good deal of poop from even touching the diaper (of course, liners aren't perfect and poop does often run off so this method isn't perfect). Use cold water for your pre-rinse. Hot water will only set the stains before you detergent has a chance to take them out. Be patient, many stains will fade to nothing (or almost) with a little time.
The best hint of all: Don't worry, be happy! LOL! Seriously, stains are inevitable with cloth diapers (actually they're inevitable with babies in general! :-) You can do your best to prevent them but you won't prevent all of them for your child's entire diapering period. You can bleach them out but that's not good for the environment, your household's safety or your diapers. Personally I would rather live with a few faded stains (that no one besides myself and occasionally my dh, ever sees) than use harsh chemicals.
Just my 2 cents,
Karen.