Sanitize cycles on new FL machines? Samsung?

You could always go with a good ol' TLer

rustygriffen wrote: You could always go with a good ol' TLer

Nope.  I live in a very dry place, and conserve water as much as possible. 

I have a maytag epic front loader that's about four years old. It has a sanitize cycle and I only use it to sanitize kitchen rags and to prep prefolds. If I used only flats/prefolds I wouldn't have a problem using it on diapers but I feel the water temp is too hot for anything with elastic or pul. If I stop the cycle in the middle and open the door the laundry in there is way too hot to touch. Our water heater is set at 180º and it heats the water past that. The sanitize cycle also doesn't use much water for some reason so I only use it when I'm able to run the auto soak at the same time. The entire cycle I have to run when I use the sanitize function, auto soak (30 minutes)-sanitize wash-cold rinse (only temp option)-second cold rinse, takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. I only use it when I'm going to bed or headed out of the house for a few hours. It does get the kitchen rags nice and clean with all the smells gone. I've never had a washer with a steam cycle but I always thought it was for steaming out wrinkles, but that could be totally off. 

My neighbour has a Bosch. I know she uses the sanitize cycle for her diaper wash, which includes fitteds and PUL covers.  She hasn't had any problems in 2+ years.

ETA: Sanitize cycle with extra rinse option, and that's it.  No pre-rinse or pre-wash cycles.  Everything gets clean.  They have good water(very nice in home water treatment system)


Edited by northwoods - 06 Dec 2011 at 2:56pm

In our old house we used the Sanitary Cycle and bleach every wash for about four years. The only brands of pockets/covers that were effected were my Haute Pockets (PUL seperated), Happy Heiny's(velcro wore out), and thirsties  and Weehugger velcro looked nasty but still worked. I've used Fuzzibunz(some elastic wore out but they were ancient), Bumgenious, Bummis, Blueberry, and fluffy's and have not had any issue with those.

In our new house I found the Sanitary cycle wasnt doing the best for us, but the Whitest of Whites cycle did better for some reason. Same diapers, same bleach, but sanitary doesnt cut it. :)

I have a Whirlpool duet and haven't had any problems so far with my ME diapers.  I thought I might be able to use just whitest of whites r/t energy and stuff.  I noticed that they buildup faster.  Back to the sanitize setting.  We do soak warm, prerince cold, sanitize with extra cold rince.  No issues and should have left alone.  Also kitchen cloth, family cloth and babies microfiber towels go on sanitize mode.  We use RnG too if that matters r/t harsh hard water.  Also, Lowes was the best place for us.  You can get free delivery and such.  Dryer is awesome too.  I can get my queen size sheets, blankets, and comforters in with ease.  Happy hunting!