Got rid of build up problems, now have ammonia issues!

[lashon20]

Ok I started off using Tide for my diapers and realized after a few months it was causing my diapers to leak and have odor issues. So I switched to Purex powder and I haven't had any more build up issues. But now I'm having a problem with my diapers having a strong urine smell after my children have peed in them. What should I do?

[chely7425]

I think the ammonia smell after a kid pees means that the diapers aren't getting all the way clean? How much soap are you using? What is your wash routine?

[lashon20]

Well I just have regular top loader so I don't have all the different rinse/wash cycles that other machines have. My washer just have small/medium/large/super load option and lite/regular/heavy/extra heavy duty cycle. Also have cold/cold/, warm/cold, and hot/cold cycles. So I usually put it on medium or super load depending on how much I'm washing. Then I put it on hot/cold and extra heavy duty cycle and I use about 1/2 the amount for up to the line 1 or sometimes I use up to the line 1. I also put 1 scoop of sun oxygen bleach in the wash. Then after they're done washing I either turn it back on the rinse cycle or just run them through another hot/cold wash. If I don't see any bubbles I then put them in the dryer. Also I have hard water so sometimes I use calgon.

[brietta]

What kind of diapers do you use? Micro-terry inserts retain build-up (detergent and/or bacteria) more than any other fabric. I occasionally bleach my inserts to get them back to square one, and that takes care of any ammonia smells we get.

[chely7425]

We have hard water and about the same type of washer as you I think. We use calgon with every load (or else things get icky) and we always run an extra hot cycle instead of just a cold rinse, because the cold rinse just wasn't doing it. I agree with the PP about bleaching the inserts we do that every so often too!!

[lashon20]

I use fitteds, prefolds, and Blueberry pockets. Maybe I should start back putting the calgon in evey load.

[Galatea]

Do a cold prewash with vinegar every time.

Use Calgon in every hot wash.

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

I second the vinegar. It has a chemical reaction with the ammonia and will bond with it and neutralize it If its too bad I'd take your diapers and let them soak in a couple of cups of vinegar overnight and see where that gets ya! You could also try some BacOut as well.