Portable washer (and wash routine)

[PirateCat]

I'd like to get a portable washer for the bathroom for washing diapers and other baby laundry. I'm looking at the Magic Chef 1.6 CF, which would JUST BARELY fit in the space we have for it, assuming the dimensions they list are correct. There is also a 0.9 CF, which would definitely fit, but I'm not sure if it would be too small to be worthwhile. I'm hoping to wash every other day, mostly prefolds and covers, with a few pockets thrown in there. I can't find any of them in stores so I can't see the size in person to get a better sense.

Does anyone have a portable washer? What size is it and how many diapers can you fit in it? Do you find it works well for diaper laundry? 

As far as wash routine goes, I figure I'd do a quick wash cycle (10 minutes) + either a normal cycle (1 rinse) or a heavy cycle (2 rinses). I *think* I can customize the water temperature, in which case what water temperature would you use for each cycle? 

Thanks!

[freezorburn]

I have a portable washer but it's an older model that I think is not as good as some of the newer ones, for example it's not very effective at spinning out water. I haven't used it much for CD ... played with it a bit when my son was PT and using fewer diapers per day. Not worth it for us, but like I said there are better portables out there now.

Definitely go for the larger capacity washer if you have the space. Not sure how many diapers will fit -- NB prefolds are smaller, and you will go through them quickly .... when you get to later stages, expect more bulk but hopefully fewer diapers per day. NBs seem to go through 8-12 diapers per day. With a smaller washer you might find that you are better off washing on a daily basis. Also, you might consider including some flats in your stash, since they will probably move around a bit better inside the smaller washer.

For wash routine temps -- initial quick wash warm or cold, then heavy cycle hot (with detergent). Rinse until water runs clear.

[PirateCat]

freezorburn, thanks! I do think the larger capacity is the way to go, but it's hard to get a sense of either size and how much I could fit into them without seeing it in person or hearing from others that have used them specifically for diapers. But I can order it from Home Depot so I can at least return it to the store if it doesn't fit (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will).

I hadn't considered flats but that is certainly something to think about.

[freezorburn]

Ok I just thought of this: The 1.6 CF washer will hold slightly more than a standard letter/legal file box. A dozen medium (GMD red) prefolds take up about half that space if laid flat. Bunched up as they would be for washing, it looks like there is a decent amount of space for the diapers to move around and agitate.

I don't have any NB diapers handy to see how many would fit in the same box. But I would guess you could get as many as 18 in per load. Depending on how frequently you change diapers, that could be a daily or every 1.5 days that you run a diaper load.

[PirateCat]

freezorburn, that is really helpful, thank you! I suppose I could wash daily or do two loads every other day if I had to. I do have a full-size washer and dryer in the basement if I fall behind or don't have time for two loads or whatever. Anything smaller would definitely not be worthwhile so that is good to know. I guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed that it'll fit!

[freezorburn]

Why not just use the full-size washer?

[PirateCat]

May 1, 2017 16:01:12 GMT -5 freezorburn said:

Why not just use the full-size washer?

I don't do our regular laundry because I hate going down to the basement, especially while hauling stuff. I would so dread doing diaper laundry every other day and I would feel bad making my H do it in addition to what he already does (he'd probably not agree to cloth diapering). So basically, just spoiled. 😉