I can't do stinky diapers

[Shy0717]

Ok so my diapers are starting to stink and he's only used them a handful of times (he's weeks old and we started cding part time at 2 weeks). I have a HE front loader and this is what I did today. I used LESS detergent than I usually do so probably 2 tbsp? of Planet liquid detergent. I did a pre-wash (also added another extra wash for a total of 3) and an extra rinse. They smelled FINE when I smelled them out of the washer. I just checked on them in the dryer and they stink now. What the heck? What am I doing wrong. For those with HE front loaders tell me how you wash your diapers.

[mommajb]

I have tried planet and not had good luck with it.

Actually with my HE front loader I haven't had luck with anything (charlies, sportwash, tide, allen, planet, plain BS, there's more but it's late and I'm tired). Actually I can't even get the stinky things stripped right now. We do have really hard water but

subbing in for yet more ideas I haven't tried or have forgotten over the years.

[Elijah's Mommy]

I find that my diapers stink less if I let them air dry accasionally. It seems like the heat of the dryer makes smells worse some times. Letting them dry in the sun is best because the some bleaches them out and gets rid of oder. If I can't sun them I hang them inside and they smell less, this is especially true with the covers.

[poppan]

I suspect your problem is not with residue but with dipes not getting clean enough. I had stinkies within 3 weeks of switching to Planet. I would do some kind of super wash with a different detergent -- use a good amount -- I've had good results with Tide HE powder for 17 months and live to regret it every time I try a more "natural" detergent. Then do a couple of hot washes without detergent to rinse everything out, in fact, if you have a sanitize option you might want to do that for one of the cycles.

P.S. The other frequent problem with HE's is not using enough water. Play around with your washer and find the cycle that uses the highest level of water, but still lets you do a hot wash.

[Gabes Mommy]

I would try a different detergent, and air dry if you can. The sun is best! You may even want to try and strip the dipes.

[chiquitababy]

What about adding a heavy towel- to trick your washer into thinking there is more clothing in there, I find this helps...
Sorry your having problems

[JMJ]

I use Biokleen+baking soda and vinegar in the fabric softener section and then just do a regular wash on hot. I do EC, though, so I don't have many poops. Every once in a while, I'll do a vinegar soak and an extra vinegar rinse.

[ShwarmaQueen]

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[Katielady]

Originally Posted by poppan

I suspect your problem is not with residue but with dipes not getting clean enough. I had stinkies within 3 weeks of switching to Planet. I would do some kind of super wash with a different detergent -- use a good amount -- I've had good results with Tide HE powder for 17 months and live to regret it every time I try a more "natural" detergent.

Interesting! What kind of diapers do you use? I'm thinking of trying this with my fuzzibunz, despite the dire warnings not to use anything but natural detergent. I feel like the natural stuff just isn't cutting it. I tried every stripping method there is and the stink remained. Currently I'm adding 1/4C bleach to every wash, which does get the stink out, but I hate to use such strong chemicals.

[NorthernPixie]

When you say you do three washes -- are you adding soap every time? Too much soap I think, overall.

I use an HE washer also and struggled with stink. Here's what works for me:

While only breastfed (and thus lots of diapers with yogurt-like poop), a cold/cold cycle with no soap and about 3/4 cup (I don't measure) vinegar in with the water. I found the vinegar neutralizes the ammonia in the pee, at least for my baby/water combination. Then a second cycle with soap, about 2 Tbsp I think but no more than that (Ecover or Nature Clean or 7th Generation) on hot/cold with an extra rinse (make sure it's hot - run a nearby tap first). Then either line dry or in the dryer.

Now that I hardly have any poopy diapers (dd is 18 months and we're potty learning, and succesful most of the time at getting the poops in the toilet, yah!) the first cycle is the wash and the second for the rinse. So first cycle, hot/cold with soap, about 2 Tbsp again, vinegar, and on a heavy duty cycle to get more water in there. Then the second cycle is cold/cold to rinse everything away. Sometimes hot/cold if I forget to switch the knob over.

I think that's it. If I don't do the vinegar I get stink issues. I also found that my covers stink way less if they go in the dryer - I always hung them to dry but now I mix it up. I do think my PUL wetbag is having stink problems now though, so I might get a new one of those.

[poppan]

Originally Posted by Katielady

Interesting! What kind of diapers do you use? I'm thinking of trying this with my fuzzibunz, despite the dire warnings not to use anything but natural detergent. I feel like the natural stuff just isn't cutting it. I tried every stripping method there is and the stink remained. Currently I'm adding 1/4C bleach to every wash, which does get the stink out, but I hate to use such strong chemicals.

I agree with you on the bleach -- I don't like using it on anything much, let alone my diapers. I use oxyclean once in a while though.

My stash consists of:
- Thirsties Fab Fitteds
- Thirsties pocket AIOs
- Fuzzi Bunz pockets
- bumGenius MF inserts
- hemparooz hemp inserts
- dream-eze fitteds (organic cotton)
- the occasional prefold

I used to have some bumGenius 3.0 one-size pockets and they leaked on me from day 1. I don't know if that was from that very first application of Tide, or if they just didn't fit my LOs properly. I tend to think the latter but I'll never know for sure. The Tide has been fine to my Fuzzi Bunz -- no issues there.

[Shy0717]

[QUOTE=NorthernPixie;14111958]When you say you do three washes -- are you adding soap every time? Too much soap I think, overall.

QUOTE]

No I'm just using soap for the main wash and overall it's probably about 2 TBSP. Also I noticed that after they were done drying the diapers didn't stink. And they don't stink when ds wets them so I don't know what the heck is going on.

[Pat899]

They are not getting clean.

Try Tide. Seriously, just try it.

[jennifercp8]

I used to use liquid Planet with my toploader and it worked great. Now we have a Samsung HE FL and I switched to powdered Tide HE. Works like a charm! I use a little Oxiclean in there, too. I have not had any issues with skin reactions, residue/buildup, and the stink I was having with Planet. I use the "whites" cycle normally, and then "sanitize" once a week. I also do a rinse cycle (in cold water) before washing.

FWIW - I have an EBF 3 month old, and I use a combination of diapers. OS pockets, GM fitteds, Thirsties AIO's, and bamboo flats.

[Katielady]

Originally Posted by poppan

I agree with you on the bleach -- I don't like using it on anything much, let alone my diapers. I use oxyclean once in a while though.

My stash consists of:
- Thirsties Fab Fitteds
- Thirsties pocket AIOs
- Fuzzi Bunz pockets
- bumGenius MF inserts
- hemparooz hemp inserts
- dream-eze fitteds (organic cotton)
- the occasional prefold

I used to have some bumGenius 3.0 one-size pockets and they leaked on me from day 1. I don't know if that was from that very first application of Tide, or if they just didn't fit my LOs properly. I tend to think the latter but I'll never know for sure. The Tide has been fine to my Fuzzi Bunz -- no issues there.

Cool. Yeah I felt weird about the bleach but had gotten desperate. People were noticing and commenting on the stink every time she peed, it was revolting.

I'm so glad you shared this. The whole detergent build-up thing never made sense to me...it's like, "isn't the pee stink coming from PEE build-up?" Anyway, it's worth a shot, and if it makes them worse or doesn't help I can always strip them and try something else.

[Michigan Mama]

Fwiw, I think hot rinses do a lot more than cold rinses...I'm not sure what your machine will let you do (I have a TL), but I do cold rinse, then hot wash, then hot rinse... just a thought.

[Shy0717]

Originally Posted by jennifercp8

I used to use liquid Planet with my toploader and it worked great. Now we have a Samsung HE FL and I switched to powdered Tide HE. Works like a charm! I use a little Oxiclean in there, too. I have not had any issues with skin reactions, residue/buildup, and the stink I was having with Planet. I use the "whites" cycle normally, and then "sanitize" once a week. I also do a rinse cycle (in cold water) before washing.

FWIW - I have an EBF 3 month old, and I use a combination of diapers. OS pockets, GM fitteds, Thirsties AIO's, and bamboo flats.

That's the washer I have . Since you and Pat recommend the Tide powder I'm going to give that a shot. I have also been using Planet so that might be the problem. How much of the Tide powder do you use when you wash? I also bought some Oxiclean and someone had mentioned using it earlier in their wash. Thanks