What am i doing wrong?

[Gailmegan]

using bumgenius pocket dipes. tried several different 5-star rated detergents (nellies is most recent). i always use 1/2 the recommended amount and rinse at least 3x. inevitably the second the pee hits the dipe, it stinks!!! called bumgenius and they said to strip with dawn and bleach. that works great. but then as soon as i wash again the stink is back. i cannot imagine that i have to strip these diapers EVERY time i wash them. why am i getting build up when using the best detergents and rinsing like crazy? how do i make it stop without ruining my diapers with bleach?

[Gabes Mommy]

When I wash my BGs, I use Purex F&C, and use up to 1/2 the recommended amount. I wash them in cold, and do hot rinses until there are no more suds. I then hang my dipes to dry - preferrably in the sun, it does wonderful things. I do have an older top loading washer. I've done this routine for months without any problems. We also rinse all of our diapers before putting them in the diaper pail. I think that helps too.

[poppan]

Try using more detergent instead of less. And/or, try using a mainstream detergent with enzymes (I like Tide powder). From your description I believe your stink is from dipes not coming all the way clean, and not from buildup. When you did the wash with Dawn and bleach, the bleach got the dipes clean and that's why it didn't stink with the next use. But after they got peed in and washed again with your normal routine, the stink most likely returned because they didn't actually get all the way clean.

[ssj77]

I'd agree with the pp. I think you are actually using too LITTLE detergent. If you are washing correctly (it sounds like you are if you contacted CB), then the culprit is usually not enough detergent. Try putting the full amount of detergent in and then an extra rinse. That should clear it up

Sultana

[Gailmegan]

thanks for the responses. i have been afraid of using detergent w/enzymes b/c ds has really sensitive skin. i think you are right about the dipes maybe not getting clean enough. i called BG again and the woman i spoke to recommended putting a wet towel in with the dipes to trick my front-loader into supplying more water for the wash cycle to ensure that the dipes are getting clean. i have a load in now, so we'll see if it helps.

[poppan]

I "force" my FL washer to use more water by washing on the delicates cycle. On mine it still lets me use hot water on delicates. I find the water level to be much higher this way and my dipes are getting clean. (I have the GE FL)

[ssj77]

I also physically put more water in my HE front loader. I add it in where I add the detergent when I do the extra rinse. It does wonders!

[Gailmegan]

just to cover my bases, i also SLIGHTLY increased the amount of detergent. i am now on rinse cycle #7. no that was not a typo: #7!!! and it is still sudsy! how is this the environmental choice when i am wasting ridiculous amounts of water and my diapers still smell!?

[leavemealone]

The BG that I have stink as well. Between that and that they cause a rash on my child, I don't use them very often. Thankfully, I only have three. I've heard people who really like BG, but I just don't see it.

I don't have specific advice on a front loader but if you are on rinse cycle #7, it may want to try another method of rinsing them. Maybe hold them under the tub faucet to really get some water on them.

[poppan]

Wow -- rinse #7 sounds ridiculous. I run an entire extra wash cycle without detergent as my second rinse, but I don't think I really even need to do that. I use around 2 tbsp of Tide HE powder. But my water is pretty good -- neither too hard nor too soft. Do you have soft water? Or is it the detergent... 7 rinses sounds crazy. I wonder if any of that is the Dawn from when you stripped them last time.

Anyway -- so sorry for the troubles mama! When you get it sorted out it won't take that many rinses and it will be the more environmentally friendly choice.

[octobermom]

This and the fact DD turned out to be allergic to polly fabrics is why we do 100% cotton diapers I can use a full scoop of detergent if necessary just run a single extra rinse *washer has setting for it* and dry. No build up. When I did have pockets I ended up washing by hand so I could ensure they were fully rinsed.

Deanna

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by octobermom

This and the fact DD turned out to be allergic to polly fabrics is why we do 100% cotton diapers I can use a full scoop of detergent if necessary just run a single extra rinse *washer has setting for it* and dry. No build up. When I did have pockets I ended up washing by hand so I could ensure they were fully rinsed.

Deanna

I would side more towards using 100% cotton too. It eliminates lots of frustration and work and is better than the polymers up against the skin IMO.

[Gailmegan]

after 9 rinses i was nursing ds and just told dh to put them in the dryer. i didn't see how clear the water was. *grrrrr*

it couldn't have been leftover dawn since i had already washed in between and it wasn't sudsy.

i like the idea of pouring water in the detergent dispenser. i'll try that next time. and i'm definitely going back to the lesser amount of detergent - i think the ridiculous suds proved that it's a water issue. if that doesn't help maybe i will try a detergent with enzymes like tide and pray he doesn't get a rash.

thanks again to all of you for the helpful suggestions.

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by Ifluffedthree

I would side more towards using 100% cotton too. It eliminates lots of frustration and work and is better than the polymers up against the skin IMO.

I totally agree. Natural fibers are much easier to keep clean and stink free. And lots of babies are sensitive to the synthetic petroleum-based fibers used in polyester PUL, microfleece/suedecloth and microfiber.