Stripping isn't getting rid of stink

[hollyvangogh]

We've stripped our diapers about two times now (fairly recently). And it doesn't work. Any suggestions?

Also, how do we keep the room from stinking up? We use a dry pail and wash about every two days. I spray the dirties with an enzyme cleaner before tossing them into the bucket.

[chely7425]

I personally wouldn't use an enzyme cleaner on my diapers... the only thing that works for us is using a little bleach every once in awhile and using vinegar in the cold pre-rinse every time. What kind of diapers are you using? What is your current wash routine? How did you strip them?

[alegna]

How did you strip them?

I've found that washing SMALL loads with VERY hot water and nothing else until NO sign of suds, kills stink.

-Angela

[JessieBird]

Calgon is what finally worked for me after trying every stripping method imaginable.

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by chely7425

What kind of diapers are you using? What is your current wash routine? How did you strip them?

Mostly BG 3.0s but also some fitteds as back ups for when we're washing a load or BGs.

We wash in hot and dry in a dryer and use detergent (sometimes I think DH uses salt and vinegar instead?). I don't usually wash them (I know, best husband ever, right?) so I'm not positive.

And I just googled stripping instructions (don't remember what websites) and what I found said to wash in hot and rinse until there are no suds. Are there different methods?

[bubbamummy]

I use BG 3.0 and just wash with 'planet' detergent and then extra rinse, and line dry in the HOT Az sun and my are lovely and white and dont smell at all!

[Michigan Mama]

I would investigate a little more about what method your fabulous dh is using...

Too much detergent or not enough detergent or insufficient rinsing can all cause stinkies. i think hot rinses are much more effective than cold. We were using one detergent, which worked fine for dipes, but I didn't care for it for my regular clothes. So I switched to Biokleen liquid, and got horrible stink and less absorption. So now we switched to Country Save and I really like it so far...

We do cold rinse, hot wash with 1/2 scoop country save, then hot rinse. Occasionally, if I get a slight gist of stink, I do a few extra hot rinses, with the hot water heater turned up (do this with safety in mind, of course)...and that ususally takes care of everything.

Many people strip using the hot rinses, etc, but also adding a squirt of blue Dawn in the first hot wash.

Some people boil, but that can be risky with pocket dipes. If you feel like your inserts are what are most stinky (often they are), you can boil those. Microfiber can hold onto stink.

Some people strip dipes in the dishwasher!

To me, stink is a 2-part issue. You have to strip to get rid of the stink, then you have to fix the reason things got icky in the first place. Good luck with both. Hope something works!

[alegna]

I agree- figure out super-dh's method What detergent? How much? What happened when you stripped? (did you have suds? etc)

USUALLY when I get stink it's too much detergent. Though once in a blue moon it's not enough. And about twice in my diapering experience I have resorted to a touch of bleach.

-Angela

[Aubergine68]

I have always had the best success hanging stinky dipes to dry outdoors in the sunshine for 24-48 hours. Check after a day, leave them longer if necessary. I think the sunnier the spot you hang them, the less time. Fades poop stains, too.

Stripping sometimes worked for me, sometimes not.

[applecider]

My method is a cold rinse, then a warm soak (usually overnight) with a squirt of bacout. Then wash. I found that on here when I was having that same problem and it worked! Good luck Holly!

[CindyCindy]

I tried stripping with dawn and did the several hot washes thing and used vinegar. Nothing worked until I boiled them for 20 minutes. And still my covers stink. Try the boiling method, it takes time, but well worth it. The diapers even are softer to me.

[katie9143]

i really think that hot hot hot water is the key. try turning up your hot water heaters mixing valve, i have ours all the way up. and then tell him to try using half the amt of soap, one super hot wash with soap and then a second hot wash without anything. i bet in a few weeks you will realize the stink is gone. then you can probably go back to just one wash per load.

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

I have always had the best success hanging stinky dipes to dry outdoors in the sunshine for 24-48 hours. Check after a day, leave them longer if necessary. I think the sunnier the spot you hang them, the less time. Fades poop stains, too.

Stripping sometimes worked for me, sometimes not.

:

I have all BG 1.0 so I cannot use hot h20 I have to use a touch of bleach once in a while. I have also had success with their odor remover.

[Swandira]

I hate to say it, but I always had this problem with BGs. I think it's the microfiber inserts. Maybe try switching the inserts out and using folded prefolds instead? FWIW, I used Fuzzi Bunz on my oldest and never had this problem, but it was always a problem when I tried BGs on my second, and I tried all the standard stuff to get rid of the stink. I'm back to using a combo of Fuzzi Bunz (stuffed with preemie-size prefolds) and prefolds with either Thirsties wraps or a wool soaker on top. I never, ever have problems with washed diapers smelling funny anymore. Also, I never have a rashy baby like I did when I used BGs.

[Rowansmama]

I use entirely BG 3.0 and had some stink issues until I started adding half cup of vinegar to the first cold rinse. Now my routine goes:

cold rinse with half cup of vinegar
hot wash with 1 tsp Nellie's laundry soda
extra hot rinse

I usually hang them outside to dry unless it's raining. I haven't had a single stinky since I started with the vinegar.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by chely7425

I personally wouldn't use an enzyme cleaner on my diapers... the only thing that works for us is using a little bleach every once in awhile and using vinegar in the cold pre-rinse every time. What kind of diapers are you using? What is your current wash routine? How did you strip them?

Yes. 1 tablespoon of bleach every 3-4 weeks and vinegar in every prewash.

[tulipmama]

There are many many stripping methods. If one doesn't work, try another. And I would really watch the detergent you add-- I switched to using Dawn as our detergent b/c everything else caused buil up = stinkies.

http://www.zany-zebra.com/stripping-cloth-diapers.shtml

[aikigypsy]

I am reviving/bumping this thread because I really needed all the info in it while attempting to strip my diapers.

I cloth-diapered in Ireland for a year and a half, using a HE front loader with temperature settings. The 1-hour "fast wash" cycle drove me crazy, but I had no stink or buildup problems using store brand non-bio tablet detergent on a 40 C wash, and occasionally a longer wash at 60 c. We had to dry on racks, usually inside but sometimes in the "sun," or what passes for sun in Ireland.

Back in the US, with a top-loader, an electric dryer, and line-drying, the stink problems started almost immediately. Part of the problem might have been detergent, but I think the main issue was a too-short, not-hot-enough wash. Today I checked the temperature of our "hot" wash and I didn't even bother sticking a thermometer in it because it felt about 2 degrees warmer than our cold tap water.

I did a half-boiled stripping routine today with oxygen bleach in hot water in the sink, and they're out in the hot sun today, but I really don't know if it will do the job. I may have to resort to actual boiling.