Even the most experienced cloth diapering parents have had to deal with this; Stinky diapers, buildup, & the occasional rash. This is where Downy RInse & Refresh is a total game changer.
How does Downy Rinse & Refresh work?
Downy Rinse & Refresh is a rinse aid designed to help get rid of detergent buildup and other residues that can cause odors in your laundry. For cloth diapers, this means it can help rinse away stubborn soil, bacteria, detergent, and minerals that get left behind after the wash cycle.
Many people think that using fabric softener with cloth diapers is a big no no, and they’re right! Traditional fabric softeners contain oils that can coat diaper fibers and lead to absorbency issues. However, Downy Rinse & Refresh is a totally different product! It’s a rinse aid, not a fabric softener.
Benefits of Downy Rinse & Refresh for Cloth Diapers
- Battles Buildup: Your cloth diapers go through a lot. Detergent, bacteria, and minerals can hang out in the fabric if your wash routine isn't perfect, causing a funky smell. Downy Rinse & Refresh acts as a rinse aid and helps all of those nasties rinse away cleanly.
- Baby’s Skin: Detergents are often highly alkaline, which can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin and lead to rashes. Downy Rinse & Refresh has a pH that is much closer to the skin’s natural pH. Using it as a final rinse helps to neutralize any residual alkalinity from the detergent, creating a more skin friendly environment for your baby.
- An Alternative to Vinegar: Many people use vinegar as a rinse aid, but its rumored to be hard on the elastics or PUL and isn’t recommended by many diaper brands. For this reason vinegar can also be a little scary to use. Downy Rinse & Refresh is an alternative that is safe for your diapers and easy to use.
How &When to Use Downy Rinse & Refresh with Cloth Diapers
Using Downy Rinse & Refresh is as simple as adding it to the fabric softener dispenser. If your machine doesn’t have a fabric softener dispenser, you can add it manually during the rinse cycle. Simply fill the dispenser to the recommended line, and you’re good to go!
Use Downy Rinse & Refresh as part of your routine if you have a circumstance that you can't otherwise easily alter. For instance if you have slightly hard water and want to mitigate the risk of buildup, this may help. If one of your components of washing are not perfect (heat, time, mechanical action, chemical action) this may help. I use it with my soft water to help detergent and soil rinse more freely out of the fibers. This can't be used as a cover up for a serious issue. Similarly, Downy Rinse & Refresh is probably not a good solution for solving an existing issue like pervasive stink or known buildup.
In short;
If you’re struggling with smelly diapers, detergent buildup, or just want to ensure your diapers are as clean as possible, Downy Rinse & Refresh is an excellent choice as part of your routine. It’s a great way to ensure your diapers are coming clean, which is a win win for you and your baby! The best cloth diapers are clean cloth diapers. 👍