Rock A Soak-How to Mineral Deposit Strip Cloth Diapers

What on Earth is a mineral strip and why should I do one?

Even though modern detergents and washing machines do a great job, with America's hard water (very hard water where I live) minerals build up in cloth fibers over time. This build up can lead to dingy clothing, funky smelling towels or sheets, or less than clean cloth diapers. The mineral deposits build up over time and can trap bacteria deep in the cloth fibers, as such I find it well worth the time and cost (minimal) to periodically mineral strip clothing items (cloth diapers included).

With sheets, towels, work clothing etc-
- when clothes aren't coming as clean as you would like out of the wash
- when clothes are feeling stiff or dingy
- Sheets or Towels have never been previous

With diapers its a smart idea to mineral strip them if:

- Your diapers have ammonia or smell funky when they come off of babe (pee smell is fine I am talking about a abnormal funk called "the stinkies" or "barnyard" (follow up after with a bleach strip)
- the diapers were purchased second hand (also to be followed with a bleach strip)
- your diapers aren't as soft or as absorbent as they previously were

In my case my diapers were getting a hint of funk in the diaper pail than I prefer so I decided it was time to strip those suckers.

Ingredients you will need (pictured above):

- Strong mainstream laundry detergent
-3- 6 tbs. Calgon (liquid or powder)
- 3-6 tbs. Borax
- 3-6 tbs. Washing Soda (not baking soda)
- Place to perform the soak
*** I found all of these at Walmart and my local grocery store (not at my Target store unfortunately), you may also use 2 packets of commercially produced RLR (from Amazon)

How to Mineral Strip

Step 1- Start with clean laundry/ diapers fresh out of the wash.

Step 2- Select a place to soak. For me its my bathtub because my HE FL does not have a great soak option.

Step 3-  Fill the soaking location with enough (very) hot water to cover your diapers (or sheets/whatever else you are stripping.

Step 4-
- Add 3 tablespoons of each ingredient to the water and stir them to dissolve. You can double this amount if soaking a large item like a comforter, large load of towels or over 24 diapers. ** you can even strip a pack and play mattress but beware to see some very gunky nasty water.
- Add between line 1-2 of your laundry detergent

Step 5- Add in your items to be stripped. You will need to let them soak until the water cools at a minimum but ideally 4-6 hours (overnight is also okay if thats easier).

Step 6- Wash the items in the washing machine (if that item will fit) or hand rinse it in the tub to remove all the water softener and detergent

Sorry for the bad lighting but hopefully you get the jist. Sometimes the water will be clear it just depends on what was trapped. 

What Next?

If you stripped regular clothing items, towels etc you are DONE. Congrats. As for diapers purchased secondhand, or that have ammonia or bad smelling bacteria build up you will need to bleach strip the diapers. If doing so in your bathtub you will want to do that after adding the bleach to the water. If you have a top loading machine with a bleach dispenser you trust you can add the bleach to the dispenser and go from there. For complete bleaching directions visit my previous post http://cgmrb.blogspot.com/2013/12/cloth-diapering-myth-busters-yeast-and.html or here (a AMAZING cloth 101 website) http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/junior-year/how-to-bleach-your-cloth-diapers/

Thanksgiving Sightseeing

We felt so blessed to have a such a beautiful day for driving up the coast the weather was heaven and everyone had a great time. 

Well actually we had a good time until a huge wave crashed into us, instantly in-sighting panic in the kiddos so we packed it up and headed to the Pier. 

Thanksgiving Group Shots

Hoden got to meet his Great Grandma J. for the first time this trip. It was wonderful to get to see her and all over our other family that lives out of state. Some days we spent site seeing and others just enjoying each others company it was wonderful. Also this is the first Thanksgiving on record that we were able to go swimming it was incredible. We could not have asked for better weather. 

November at Home

The boys got ahold of my baby carrier and decided to put themselves in the arm holes and drag each other around the house. They had a marvelous time, the giggling was so loud I am sure the neighbors could hear it. I love watching them play, they are becoming better friends every day. Granted Mr. B. is still prone to throwing Hoden under the bus if he is getting in trouble, hey what are brothers for :)

All About That Base- Overnight In Woolies

Halloween Photos!

Cloth Diaper 101 Video Series

The amazing blogger (mom and new cloth diaper buddy) Rachel Meyers of Positively Mommy filmed my first ever cloth diaper 101 class. The whole series is about two hours long so you will probably want to break it up lest I talk your ear off virtually.  I am happy to answer any questions you have just comment on this post. Start with the first video (above) it is a basic overview of the types of cloth diapers. Happy cloth diapering!

Cloth Diaper 101 Class: Part 2 Accessories You Will Need

How to Wash Cloth Diapers (using mainstream detergent)

Cloth Diapering Overnight: Cheaper and easier than you think

How to Cloth Diaper Twins + a basic overview of flats

How to Cloth Diaper a Newborn: Easily and Inexpensively

+ Q &A Session

You have my undying respect if you made it through. I hope you learned a lot about cloth diapering and feel prepared to start your journey. Remember don't get overwhelmed start off small and try new things overtime. Cloth diapering does not need to be a all or nothing thing. Even using 3 cloth diapers a day will still save you money and help the environment. Likewise you don't need all the accessories of the bat either, keep your disposable wipes and diapers around until you feel comfortable. Pretty soon you will be a cloth diaper pro and be ready to share the fluffy love.

September 2014

We had the wonderful chance this month to host G.'s cousins while they were in town for their niece's baby blessing. It was a blast to have them and their two sweet children stay with us. I wish so badly that we had taken more pictures but we just had to much fun to think to take them. 

We have been avoiding the Children's museum because it was so busy this summer with school out. Now with school back in session we were able to go back and have a wonderful time exploring all the exhibits without all the crowds. 

G. and Mr. B got some last minute tickets to the football game last Saturday. They had a blast and Hoden I enjoyed the quiet afternoon at home. He woke up with the best hair ever after his nap. I am so glad I got a picture. Overall its been a wonderful month and we look forward to the rest of Fall and the fun it will bring.