HELP! Will I ever get rid of the stink, really?

[DWAXSMOM]

I have a horible stink problem and I need someone who can tell me if I will really ever come out of it or if I should just start over. I use mostly Happy Heiny OS. I also use a few Happy Hempys at night and some fleece covers. I have a front loader and have hard water which I have a softner for. I use Allens liquid. My rountine is

1. wash every other day

2. first use a cold prewash (which is about an hour long!)

3. second hot wash with about 1/8 a tsp of Allens

4. Dry in hot dryer


The diapers smell and look clean when they come out of the dryer. They start to smell like ammonia after my DS urinates. My diaper pail is extremely stinky and I am now starting to smell it in the room. This all started when he was about 6 mos and I think coincided with the start of solids. DS is breastfed with some solids. This is definitely not a poopy smell problem though. I have used RLR which did not amke a difference. I have done several loads where I did three washes with just water. This did not work. I can not use Dawn because I have FL. Rigt now I can not dry outside A because I live in a development that does not allow it and B it has been raining for about a month now and with no end in site. What I want to know is can I ever get back? If I change to Country Save powder will I get back? The diapers are in great shape otherwise. They have no wear that you can see. The elastic and velcro look great. Should I just start over completely? Please are there any FL, OS, returned from the stink mommies out there that can give me hope?

[Ifluffedthree]

I would first check the manufacturers website to see what recommendations are made for washing.
Enzymes in detergents can void a warranty, and some detergents may create a build up.

Vinegar is always a great way to neutralize the ph balance in diapers and sometimes a soak in it will help with some of the smell issues.

It's been a long time since I did a stripping on diapers and I never used more than one or two synthetic diapers to know how to strip them best. I am betting there are some here who will have a link/info page to stripping your diapers.

[fruitfulmomma]

Have you tried increasing the amount of detergent? If I understand correctly, in an FL you use about half the required amount and 1/8 of a tsp. just seems like it is not enough.

I had the same issue with the ammonia smell and was told that it was because the inner core of the diaper was not getting thoroughly cleaned. So, while the looked fine on the outside, it wasn't quite enough to do the job.

Also, I stopped soaking with the cold water and went to a hot wash and extra rinses at the end and it works for us.

[Vegan Princess]

I have a front loader and nothing worked to kill the smell until someone suggested adding a little bleach. I used 1/6 of a cup and the smell is finally gone! I am going to try to go a few washes without bleach but I may end up having to use it every time.

Cindy

[Gabes Mommy]

I would agree that a little vinegar or bleach should help. Don't do it too often because they aren't good for the elastic or PUL if used too often. An occasional wash should be fine though. It has been for me!

I bought some used HHs on FSOT, and they're what I have my worst ammonia stink with. I don't know if it's the dipes, or whoever had them before, but I prefer my other dipes to them.

[mesa]

I think you should use more detergent and add a little bleach every once in a while. I use about 1/8 of a cup of bleach to a full load about every 6 weeks or so. I had stink, too, until I switched to original Tide and started bleaching every now and then. I use bumgenius and fuzzi bunz mostly.

[beebalmmama]

I would use more detergent and try vinegar. I use vinegar (about 1/2 cup per load) at least every other time I wash them and usually don't have a stink problem. I also don't soak, but just do a hot wash.

[Siennaflower]

What kind of inserts are you using?

[mamadelbosque]

Doesn't sound like nearly enough detergent to me. I guesstimate how much I put in, but probably closer to 1/8-1/4 of a cup of allens naturally. We use bum genius 2.0 one sizes though, so not sure if that makes a difference... I wash once on the longest setting on HOT/COLD with an extra rinse.

We only wash when we run low (so probably ever 4-5 days - we have 40 diapers), and otherwise keep them in a trash can beside the toilet... The trash can does get a bit smelly every now and then, so 1-2x a month it gets taken outside and washed out while the diapers are getting washed.

[Michigan Mama]

The only other thing that I don't see anyone has mentioned so far, is that for some people, microfiber just holds the stink. Have you ever tried stuffing with anything besides microfiber? Some people have better luck with cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc because it seems to clean easier. You could also try boiling the inserts. (I think for most people it's the insert that holds the smell, not so much the pocket.)


My opinion on stink is it's often from too much or not enough detergent, or that the detergent isn't getting rinsed out well enough at the end.

I wonder if you could shorten your cold wash cycle at the beginning to just a cold rinse, then add an extra hot rinse at the end???

[Siennaflower]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mama

The only other thing that I don't see anyone has mentioned so far, is that for some people, microfiber just holds the stink. Have you ever tried stuffing with anything besides microfiber? Some people have better luck with cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc because it seems to clean easier. You could also try boiling the inserts. (I think for most people it's the insert that holds the smell, not so much the pocket.)

I second this advice. Boil them or wash them separately with some bleach if your inserts are microfiber.

I prefer to use trifolded prefolds as inserts because they are so low maintenance. Second to that I recommend hemp. I never had a problem with either when it came to stinkies.