Yet another stinky dipes question

[milkmamamerina]

I recently started my 1 yo LO in cloth. I stripped them when I first bought them used (about a month and a half ago) and now they smell horrible everytime she pees. They are lightly smelly coming out of the wash, but they weren't when I started.

Here's my details.
-My stash is small (2 days worth), and assorted with velour fitteds, hemp inserts, and some AIO's and AI2's that involve hemp and cotton. Also some microfiber inserts.
-I have a top loader and wash on hot with cold double rinse.
-I use about an 1/8-1/4 cup liquid All free & clear
-Our water is moderately hard
-I use a diaper sprayer to remove every bit of poo I can
-I keep them in an airtight pail, usually dry, but I occasionally add some water to cut back on the ammonia smell
- I have occasionally (2 or 3 times) added Arm and Hammer washing soda to the washing machine water before

I shouldn't need to strip them again already should I?

[Michigan Mama]

I think some people have trouble with All F&C. Haven't tried it myself.

The first thing I would try is using hot rinses instead of cold. That makes a huge difference for me. Anytime i notice any type of stink, I always add extra hot rinses at the end and that often makes a big difference.

That's imo.

[DevaMajka]

The things that stood out to me were:
-the ALL f&c- I thought I read that it leaves residue?? I'm pretty sure I've read it causes some problem. lol
-the amount of detergent- I'm not sure how much you use in relation to the recommended amount, but so far, I've found that if I use less than 1/2 the recommended amount, I get stink.
-the airtight pail. I found the pail was much less stinky when I let the air circulate in it. I'm not saying it will fix your stinky diapers, but it might be contributing to it...maybe?

My first thoughts would be that you either need to change your detergent, use more detergent, or do an extra wash cycle with no detergent after you wash them (to get rid of potential residue). It seems that stink often is the result of bacteria left on diapers, or the result of residue left on diapers.

[columbusmomma]

I have AIO's, some with hemp and I also have BG with inserts. I've tried many things and then last week was reading on a similar thread to what you have posted. Someone recommended Tide. I used it, washed everything twice and I can't believe it, but it's worked better then any other method I've tried!!

[DevaMajka]

Yes, Tide definitely takes care of the stinkies for me. I'm desperately trying to find another detergent that will work as well, as Tide is tested on animals.
But every time I've had stinky diapers, I've given them a good wash using the full amount of Tide (to the 1 line) and rinsed until there were no/very little suds. It usually works the first time, but if there is still a lingering smell (usually barely noticable, if any), I do it again and that takes care of it.

[Galatea]

This is my routine and we have no stinkies, even with hard well water and a ton of dipes:

-spray all poopy diapers
-prewash cold with highest water level and 1/2 white vinegar (this is the key and it has to be in the prewash NOT the rinse)
-hot wash highest water level with 1 tablespoon Vaska, Mountain Green or bumGenius detergent
-cold rinse
-hot wash with nothing
-cold rinse

Once a month, I add 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach to the first hot wash b/c we have a well and no chlorination. It doesn't hurt the dipes at such a low concentration and does freshen them up.

My kids get a blistering rash with Tide. I can never recommend it b/c of this risk.

[rightkindofme]

I use Nellie's All Natural in my front loader. Amazon sells it for a decent price (shipping kind of sucks). It's wonderful. I use 1/2 a scoop in a short cold wash then 3/4 of a scoop with a splash of vinegar (too much vinegar leads to smell) on a long hot wash. It's awesome.

[Stuckmama]

1 scoop of Charlie's Soap
1/2 cup of Vinegar in the fabric softener cup
1 tablespoon of Borax in the bleach cup
Hot wash/ Cold Rinse
Extra rinse

Result: Fluffy perfect diapers with no smell.

I also don't close up my diaper pail as the circulating air helps keep the smells from ruminating.