Comments on: Green Breakthrough: Save Energy by Washing Diapers in Cold Water http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/ Earth Friendly, Budget Friendly Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:02:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Robert Dinse http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-330 Robert Dinse Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:40 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-330 Actually, soap does kill most but not all germs. For example, staphylococci and typhoid bacilli are highly resistant to many germicides. But not even boiling hot water will kill all germs, in fact not even an autoclave can kill all germs. For example, the prions responsible for madcow disease will survive even autoclave temperatures. But ordinary soap and water will kill most non-resistant bacteria. Also, UV light is a good germ killer; if you dry your diapers on a clothes line under direct sunlight, that will go a long way towards sterilizing that which survives the wash cycle. Actually, soap does kill most but not all germs. For example, staphylococci and typhoid bacilli are highly resistant to many germicides. But not even boiling hot water will kill all germs, in fact not even an autoclave can kill all germs. For example, the prions responsible for madcow disease will survive even autoclave temperatures. But ordinary soap and water will kill most non-resistant bacteria.

Also, UV light is a good germ killer; if you dry your diapers on a clothes line under direct sunlight, that will go a long way towards sterilizing that which survives the wash cycle.

]]> By: rebecca http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-301 rebecca Fri, 16 May 2008 16:51:29 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-301 Amber, as I mentioned above, the dryer (unlike the washing machine) does actually get hot enough to kill some bacteria. I think that sunlight can also do this. Certainly the greenest way to wash diapers would be to wash in cold and dry in the sun. Maybe someone else can pipe up with a scientific answer to your question! Amber, as I mentioned above, the dryer (unlike the washing machine) does actually get hot enough to kill some bacteria. I think that sunlight can also do this. Certainly the greenest way to wash diapers would be to wash in cold and dry in the sun. Maybe someone else can pipe up with a scientific answer to your question!

]]> By: Amber http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-300 Amber Fri, 16 May 2008 15:47:38 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-300 Does anyone know if you can just line dry your diapers after washing them in cold, or should you dry them in the machine to kill the bacteria? Does anyone know if you can just line dry your diapers after washing them in cold, or should you dry them in the machine to kill the bacteria?

]]> By: Eileen http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-271 Eileen Fri, 09 May 2008 05:15:31 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-271 Sara, a 5% solution would be 19 parts water to one part vinegar. Since there are 16 tablespoons in a cup, you could do one tablespoon vinegar to one cup water and get pretty close. It's not rocket science though and nothing will explode if the ratio is off. For the washer - I just put vinegar in the part where it says to put softener. I would guess a half cup to a cup would do just fine, but that is totally off the cuff and not legit advice that you should follow or trust.=) I love math but I am completely incapable of following a recipe. Sara, a 5% solution would be 19 parts water to one part vinegar. Since there are 16 tablespoons in a cup, you could do one tablespoon vinegar to one cup water and get pretty close. It’s not rocket science though and nothing will explode if the ratio is off.

For the washer - I just put vinegar in the part where it says to put softener. I would guess a half cup to a cup would do just fine, but that is totally off the cuff and not legit advice that you should follow or trust.=) I love math but I am completely incapable of following a recipe.

]]> By: Sara http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-267 Sara Thu, 08 May 2008 19:28:38 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-267 just how much vinegar equals 5% solution? I'm not too with it in the math dept. I actually just bought vinegar this week to wash my husband's undershirts to try and degunk the arm pits. oh wait, i just reread the post and it's for dishwashing. How much is good in the clothes washer? just how much vinegar equals 5% solution? I’m not too with it in the math dept. I actually just bought vinegar this week to wash my husband’s undershirts to try and degunk the arm pits. oh wait, i just reread the post and it’s for dishwashing. How much is good in the clothes washer?

]]> By: rebecca http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-257 rebecca Wed, 07 May 2008 03:36:21 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-257 Kamber, did you read Joy's post about diaper-friendly detergents? http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/02/finding-diaper-friendly-earth-friendly-detergent/ (I hope that link works.) She explains there how she solved her stinky-diaper problem by switching detergents. If that is not the issue, I am not sure WHAT the problem is. Anyone else? Kamber, did you read Joy’s post about diaper-friendly detergents? http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/02/finding-diaper-friendly-earth-friendly-detergent/ (I hope that link works.) She explains there how she solved her stinky-diaper problem by switching detergents. If that is not the issue, I am not sure WHAT the problem is. Anyone else?

]]> By: Kamber http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-255 Kamber Wed, 07 May 2008 03:09:08 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-255 Because everyone is already talking about cloth diapers and washing I have a question that maybe some one could help me with. I use AIO (all in one) cloth diapers. I think they are convenient and love them, but I can't get them to stop smelling. I've used bumgenius spray, baking soda, hot water, drying in the dryer, air drying cold water, warm water, well you get the picture. Is there any ideas or advice that anyone could give me to help get the smell out? Because everyone is already talking about cloth diapers and washing I have a question that maybe some one could help me with. I use AIO (all in one) cloth diapers. I think they are convenient and love them, but I can’t get them to stop smelling. I’ve used bumgenius spray, baking soda, hot water, drying in the dryer, air drying cold water, warm water, well you get the picture. Is there any ideas or advice that anyone could give me to help get the smell out?

]]> By: Eileen http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-254 Eileen Tue, 06 May 2008 20:49:34 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-254 OF course, vinegar in the rinse water! I knew that. OF course, vinegar in the rinse water! I knew that.

]]> By: Erika http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-252 Erika Mon, 05 May 2008 20:55:51 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-252 Wow so now I'm wondering why I've been using the hot water setting at all- I thought it was making my towels and sheets extra clean- hmmm another way to pad the pocket book - I love it! Wow so now I’m wondering why I’ve been using the hot water setting at all- I thought it was making my towels and sheets extra clean- hmmm another way to pad the pocket book - I love it!

]]> By: rebecca http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/04/29/green-breakthrough-save-energy-by-washing-diapers-in-cold-water/#comment-251 rebecca Mon, 05 May 2008 16:56:20 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=276#comment-251 Eileen, I would not use bleach to sanitize dishes, since bleach is an environmental toxin. (I know it's already in our water supply, but I wouldn't want to add MORE to it.) I would also be more worried about eating bleach than eating whatever germs it was killing off. I personally do not even try to sanitize my dishes. I haven't had a dishwasher in over fifteen years and I am no worse for the wear. However, if you wanted to remove more germs from your dishes, you could try a hydrogen peroxide or vinegar rinse instead of bleach. I read that a 5% solution of vinegar will kill 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of viruses. Pretty cool! Eileen, I would not use bleach to sanitize dishes, since bleach is an environmental toxin. (I know it’s already in our water supply, but I wouldn’t want to add MORE to it.) I would also be more worried about eating bleach than eating whatever germs it was killing off. I personally do not even try to sanitize my dishes. I haven’t had a dishwasher in over fifteen years and I am no worse for the wear. However, if you wanted to remove more germs from your dishes, you could try a hydrogen peroxide or vinegar rinse instead of bleach. I read that a 5% solution of vinegar will kill 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of viruses. Pretty cool!

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