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We are looking at getting a front loader washing machine and I have notice that most of the machines have a sanitize cycle. I was wondering if anyone has tried this on cloth diapers (like prefolds)? |
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| I have a FL, and I decided not to pay extra for a machine with a sanitize cycle. In hindsight, I'm really glad I saved the money. My diaps have come clean with warm/cold cycles. I only use the hot wash when I'm worried about build-up. (That's true for Sandy's, pockets, and prefolds.) |
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I do use my extra hot/sanitize cycle, but that is because we have an on-demand water heater, so it takes a longer time to get hot water, and then if the demand is not constant, no more hot water. This is fine for normal stuff, but means that the "hot" setting isn't truly hot (unless I happen to be doing something else triggering the heater, too). Unless you are in this situation, I would think that a regular hot water wash would be plenty, so I probably wouldn't spend extra to get this feature.
I didn't even look into the available cycles that much, except to skip the steam options; what I was really concerned about was getting a high spin speed. In my opinion, that IS worth the money, since it can really cut your drying time, whether in the dryer or in the line/rack. |
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I have experience with both. We originally had a FL that didn't have sanitize cycle. The diapers were fine, although once my son started eating mostly solids, only BF morning and nights, I started using an extra wash cycle to avoid the not-so-clean-kinda-funky smell. That machine died one too many times last fall, and we decided to get a new set. This one has a sanitize cycle. The diapers also come out fine. It's kind of nice, because I can set it to do an extra rinse or an extra wash without having to restart a new cycle. If the price difference had been considerable, I don't think I would pay the extra money for the fancy controls/cycles, but we got a great Thanksgiving day sale price on the set. It's definitely more convenient, and I especially like the way the buttons beep when you press them.  |
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Thanks for the great replies! We are considering the Whirlpool Duet Sport and the Maytag Epic Z. Both are a great price at a dent and ding warehouse near us. They both have very similar features, including sanitize and the extra spin cycle.
Anyone have any experience with either of these? I've never owned a FL before and am nervous to make a mistake! |
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| I have a Samsung, but it was down to that or a Maytag. I think that decision was based on pricing at the time, though; I don't think we actively excluded the Whirlpool. Do they both have the same rpm spin out speed? |
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| I'll have to check that out. That will make a huge difference when our hydro bill arrives I'm sure. |
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I have a Duet HT (High Temp, has the sanitizing cycle). It's alright. It was the best of its kind when I got it, but if I were to buy a machine today I'd get the Samsung with the sanitize and steam settings.
I always wash my dipes on the sanitizing cycle, I couldn't live without it. Just set it and forget it. When I'm staying with family and using a machine without it, I keep having to run back and start a prewash or extra rinse cycle. I really recommend getting a machine with a sanitize cycle. JMO. |
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| What does the Sanitize Cycle do? My machine (European) has a "baby" setting that does a hot wash with a hot "medic rinse". Does this sound like a sanitize cycle? |
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I'd guess it's probably something similar, although I believe that usually in NA machines the sanitize cycle has the very hot water in the initial wash, and from my (albeit limited) experience, I suspect that European washers go hotter than NA ones.
When I was in the UK I had a wonderful Bosch. I could choose a 60C cycle, and I found that to be great for washing my diapers. I did have a sanitary cycle there, but it was 90C (think my sanitary here is something like 165F, not quite 74C). I did use the 90C once or twice, but it uses so much more electricity to heat the water and then added extra water in with the draining water as it was released to cool it, and I just didn't think it was worth that.
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| I use my 95C setting when my diapers need a deep clean or stripping. Otherwise, I always wash on 60 with a pre-wash and an extra rinse. I have the option of a medic rinse which I think is a hot rinse which should be better at getting rid of detergent residue but I'm afraid to prematurely wear out my diapers. |
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