Laundry additives

[rockiesnugget]

I've been using Washing Soda in my wash cycle since I have slightly hard water. I know with long term use there is the potential for stink with Washing Soda, so I was going to switch over to Calgon. Apparently my Target doesn't sale Calgon and I have ran out of Washing Soda. What are the thoughts on Borax with Cloth Diapers and hard water. (I can't get to the store until the weekend)

[mrslka]

How hard is your water and what detergent do you use?

[rockiesnugget]

I've nevery tested my water, it has all been based on trial and error. I would say it is slightly to moderately hard and I use Nellies Detergent.

[mrslka]

I would test it to find out how hard you are actually dealing with, you may not need to add a softener. I haven't seen calgon in any of the stores where I live, but I have seen it on amazon prime.

[freezorburn]

My understanding is that Borax is on the abrasive side, so not really recommended for CD. Here's a good article on different additives: laundry.about.com/u/sty/laundryproblems/Your-Laundry-Questions-And-Answers/Laundry-Additives-and-Hard-Water.htm

I agree with PPs that you should test your water or at least check what your local water authority says they are providing. It's very helpful information to have.

[rockiesnugget]

Jan 27, 2015 11:03:09 GMT -5 freezorburn said:

My understanding is that Borax is on the abrasive side, so not really recommended for CD. Here's a good article on different additives: laundry.about.com/u/sty/laundryproblems/Your-Laundry-Questions-And-Answers/Laundry-Additives-and-Hard-Water.htm

I agree with PPs that you should test your water or at least check what your local water authority says they are providing. It's very helpful information to have.

Thank you. That is what I thought I had read at one point on TB, but wasn't 100% sure.

I looked up my water authority and it says, "...water is considered moderately hard. At times, it is greater than 5.8 grains per gallon or 100 milligrams per liter, and it varies seasonally between 4 to 7 granins per gallon of hardness." It is harder during the winter months.

Is Amazon the best place to get water test strips?

[mrslka]

I don't think at 5.8-7 gpg you don't really have "hard" water in terms of diaper laundry. Maybe someone that uses nellies can chime in here about adding a softener to it, but I would try without it.
As for buying test strips, I have either ordered them from kellys closet with a diaper order or bought them at local hardware stores.

[unaveragejane]

If you do find you need Calgon, try Walmart or a local grocery store. It's usually about $4 a bottle for me, but it was much higher when I priced it on Amazon.

[rockiesnugget]

Jan 27, 2015 12:55:15 GMT -5 mrslka said:

I don't think at 5.8-7 gpg you don't really have "hard" water in terms of diaper laundry. Maybe someone that uses nellies can chime in here about adding a softener to it, but I would try without it.
As for buying test strips, I have either ordered them from kellys closet with a diaper order or bought them at local hardware stores.

I grew up with hard water and didn't think that I had hard water where I now live. However, I was having some issues a while back and someone on TB suggested Calgon/Washing Soda because I probably did have hard water, just not as hard as what I was familiar. I have noticed a difference that my diapers are cleaner with the washing soda and I'm not having to use as much detergent.

I will check the local hardware store for some test strips. Thank you for the information.

[rockiesnugget]

Jan 27, 2015 13:17:53 GMT -5 unaveragejane said:

If you do find you need Calgon, try Walmart or a local grocery store. It's usually about $4 a bottle for me, but it was much higher when I priced it on Amazon.

Thank you, I will look there.

[MapleMe]

Calgon is much more expensive than washing soda, so I would be inclined to keep doing what you're doing (especially because it's working, and your water isn't very hard (90ppm ish)) and do an RLR wash if you start noticing a problem later. The problem would be from using a precipitating water softener causing minerals to redeposit. I don't think you would have this issue, but it's not hard to fix if you do.

[rrrrrachel]

I feel like if you can't easily find Calgon in stores near you that's an indicator that the water in your area isn't that hard.

[rockiesnugget]

Jan 27, 2015 13:41:25 GMT -5 MapleMe said:

Calgon is much more expensive than washing soda, so I would be inclined to keep doing what you're doing (especially because it's working, and your water isn't very hard (90ppm ish)) and do an RLR wash if you start noticing a problem later. The problem would be from using a precipitating water softener causing minerals to redeposit. I don't think you would have this issue, but it's not hard to fix if you do.

Thanks! I had been using the Washing Soda since I happened to have it on hand from when I was making my own laundry soap (same reason I have Borax and asked if that was a suitable substitute for the short-term). I will keep going with the Washing Soda especially since Calgon isn't always available everywhere I shop.