washing CD in front-loader...Please Help!!

[Cute Little Bugs]

We are expecting our first in July, and super excited about cloth diapers! We need a new washer and dryer, and have been agonizing over which one would work best for the dipes. We're planning to start with CPFs and covers, and BF. I would love to get a front loader to save on energy and have the large capacity, but I'm worried about how well it cleans. I would also love to have a machine that I only need to turn on ONCE and then throw in the dryer. Does this machine exist? I noticed the Duet will allow a prewash/hot cycle/extra rinse all in one program. What brand works best for you? What's your wash routine? I would love your opinions!

Amanda

EDD 7/24/06 Anna Marie

[mom22lilguys]

I have a really basic front loader by frigidare that I really like. I really wish it had an option to pre-rinse or soak( I have to reset it myself to do that) but it gets the diapers really clean and it spins really fast at the end so the drying time is greatly reduced.

[dessismama]

This is what I do: short cold wash (for a rinse), long hot/cold wash wioth detergent, long hot/cold with nothing. Works for me but I do have to turn the machine on 3 times...

[Gwen]

I have the Bosch and here is what I do

Throw in dipes - add 1/2 TEASPOON (DO NOT USE TOO MUCH DETERGANT- YOU WILL NEVER GET IT OUT WITH A FRONTLOADER AND YOUR BABY WILL GET A RASH!) tide free.

I do the hot wash with the rinse plus!

I hang dry my pockets and covers and then throw everything else in the dryer - my stuff is sooooooo clean!

GWen

[Meisubaby]

We have the Kenmore HE3T and I LOVE IT! I do set mine twice but thats because I want to rinse them before I wash them to get the pee out so its not just swishing around in all that pee. Then after I do a rinse its all set for the sanitary wash and prewash and an extra rinse too. They come out clean and fresh smelling although we did go through 2 weeks of stinky diapers. I think it was because of him being sick and I should have washed them sanitary twice. Since then I have no problems at all. I use Tide powder on our diapers but I only use a little bit.

[Minniebees]

I have a Tromm, and it's great. It has a small generator, so it makes it's own electricity while it runs. Make sure you get one with a super fast spin speed. Then you can have AIO's and the drying time isn't an issue! Mine dry in one cycle in my dryer, it's great!

For my wash I put it through the works. Pre-wash (sometimes with a squirt of Dawn or Borax if there's a lot of nasties in there) wash on hot with the highest soil level and a stain cycle, plus an extra rinse. I washes for about 2 hours with no babysitting, and the diapers come out clean. Oh, I do the highest spin speed as well.

[baconbitz]

I have an LG Tromm low end model. I turn my machine on twice, but could probably get away with once if I used the prewash option. I run a cold rinse. After that I run a cycle on hot wash/cold rinse w/extra rinse. I use the towels setting and heavy soil setting. Everything comes out clean.

[mom_of_3g_1b]

I have a Kenmore. I run a cold/cold short wash with extra rinse then a hot/cold wash with extra rinse. With a full load of AIOs (25-30) it takes 90 minutes in the dryer on high. It would be nice to have a machine that did it all in one cycle.

[EasterBun]

I have the LG TROMM SteamWasher and I *love* it Gets my diapers totally clean, and it has prewash, extra rinse, stain cycle, and extra water options... I usually set all of those and I could not be happier with the results. I've only been using it two weeks now, but I've washed diapers 7 or 8 times and I think my diapers just get cleaner and cleaner

[Cute Little Bugs]

Thank you for your advice! Does anyone have a Duet? The LG model seems pretty popular...I'll have to look into that one more. I like the idea of an extra water option Thanks for your input! I'm feeling less anxious about cleaning dipes in a front-loader!

Amanda