Smelly Diapers

[LeeCeeNQ]

I was wondering if someone could help me...

We are using Wonderoos...

When they come out of the wash they smell nice and fresh - once DS pees in them they then get this disgusting ammonia smell that makes you sick!

When I wash the diapers, I wash them once with just a little bit of soap (Purex)and then I rewash with them without any soap at all. The inserts are dried in the dryer but the diapers themselves are hung to dry.

Any ideas on why I have stinky diapers?

Thank you!

[Susan]

I don't use Wonderoos, so I'm not sure, but have you tried different detergent? I use fuzzi bunz, start with a cold rinse, then a hot wash with tide, then rinse again and have never had any smell issues.

[Brandi]

I do the same as Susan. Just from reading stuff at motherhood.com, it sounds like maybe you could be using too much detergent (or maybe the wrong kind - I don't know anything about Purex). When you use too much, the diapers come out smelling great, but then when the baby pees, it releases a huge amount of stink - don't know why, but this is what I've learned. You should check out mothering.com in the diaper forum. They are really helpful mainly because there are an enormous amount of people over there to share experiences with.

Good luck!

Oh, I should say that we had stinky dipes when we weren't using Tide. Once I switched, they smell much better!

[Christy]

Sounds like you could have a little bit of detergent buildup. It can happen even if you are using small amount of detergent. Sportwash (which you can get at Walmart) is great for buildup and can really help. I use a shot of it about once a week for good measure. And I can't say it enough, Tea Tree Oil is wonderful for keeping diapers smelling fresh all the time. I add about 10 drops to the hot wash and it works wonders!!

[Brandi Jo]

:nod: I totally agree with Christy about Sportwash and TTO!

I keep Riley's pail in the bathroom with the door closed, and I noticed that if I leave them closed up in the bathroom(before being washed) the ammonia smell is seriously overwhelming!!

ETA: I've used Tide and Purex(which is what I use now) when I wash my dipes and it has never affected the smell no matter what detergent I use.

[Jennie]

Sounds like it might also be your inserts vs. your diapers. The suggestions made above are the ones I'd make.

Jennie

[Brandi]

WOW! I accidentally threw a Kissaluv dipe in the wash with regular clothes. I washed it with the other dipes after I saw it but it was too late. Heather used it and the smell was horrid! YUCK! I'm getting some of that Sportwash! STINKY!

[LeeCeeNQ]

Thank you ladies,

I rinsed and soaked the liners in TTO for a day. I did a cold rinse, hot wash (with very little Purex), then another cold rinse. IT WORKED!! No more ammonia smell!!! YIPPEE!!!

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions!

[Brandi]

awesome! Isn't it nice when it all works out?

[Brandi]

Okay, now my hemp is STINKY! But, only when she pees in the dipe. I thought I wasn't using too much detergent - I'm hardly using any at all. I also tried baking soda and vinegar last time I washed, but it didn't seem to help. Do you think I need to strip them? Is that what it's called? Maybe I should try baking soda and no vinegar? I'm not sure what to do. OH, I also have a front loader.

[Brandi]

Still Stinky and don't know what to do!

[Jenn]

Brandi, I've heard you can boil hemp to strip them. Have you asked at MDC?

[Christy]

Brandi, someone posted on MDC last night about how they got there hemp to stop stinking. I think I might try it next time I have a problem.
They said they did there normal cold rinse and then took out the hemp items and soaked them in some VERY hot water (maybe try the bathtub) and put some Bac-out in the water. Soaked them for about 1/2 an hour. Then she put them back in her washing machine and did her normal hot wash with all of the other diapers. She said she was amazed at how they smell now. No stink. I'm not sure were you can get Bac-out but I think she said it was made by Bio-Kleen?

Hope that helps!