Washing diapers help

[abemom2]

I use fitteds, PF and flats - all only cotton. When my diapers come out of the machine they have a smell already, and some mornings they really stink horrible.

I have a Kenmore Oasis HE Top loader. None of my other clothing comes out smelling this way.

I tried vinegar in the first cold rinse, in the wash... oxy bleach, oxy powder. I use Country Save detergent for all my laundry. I have done several only hot loads and added boiling water.

I could try Dawn - but how much do I need, and what kind of dawn?

What other tips can you give me?

I have spent a lot of $$$ on diapers, and don't want it to go to waste, especially since my DH isn't really on board with CD.

Thanks a lot,
Ana

[chely7425]

We have been dealing with some stink issues too, but mostly after being peed in. From what I know if the diapers are coming out of the washer smelling then they aren't getting clean. I would try boiling to flats and PFs (not sure if this is a good idea with fitteds) and perhaps adding a little bit of bleach to the hot wash? It sounds like if you could get your diapers back to square one then you could work on your wash routine.

What is your wash routine currently? How much soap do you use? Do you know if you have hard or soft water?

[abemom2]

I'm in Montreal, and it's supposed to be from the best water around. It's soft water.

I do a cold rinse, then a long hot wash with 1/2 - 3/4 of the recommended amount of soap - more than that and the water is totally white and beyond bubbled, with a second rinse.

Then I'll do another hot quick wash with no soap. There are never bubbles there.

Lately I was putting vinegar in the first cold rinse, and some oxygen bleach or vinegar in the regular wash together with the soap.

I'll also sometimes add boiling (just cooked) water to the wash. The extra hot load seems to make the diapers smell more.

That's my routine. I line dry.

Also, I wash almost every day, so the diapers get used every other day - 3 days later.

[chely7425]

Seems like a pretty similar wash routing to what we do (we have basically the same type of washer)... if you have soft water maybe try adding borax? I think that is what people add to soft water...

[Sarahstw]

Have you tried stripping them? Sounds like it could be a soap build up problem...