I think I'm done

[la79al]

I have been using mostly sposies lately because I could not stand the smell of my cloth diapers. As soon as she would pee, the ammonia smell would be enough to smell her several feet away. So I tried using Dawn to strip them. And I used them all day yesterday and so far today. And now her bottom is soooo bright red and she screams and cries as just the mention of a diaper change. I'm really debating throwing in the towel and selling all of my diapers (I was going to use them with her until she was potty trained and then keep them for future kiddos). I slathered on Aquaphor and stuck her in a sposie now, for the couple of days it will take for her bottom to look/feel better. I'm really missing out on the eco-friendliness of cloth if I have to constantly do several washes/rinses/soaks for 2 hours in a diaper. Grrr....

[octobermom]

We went through this. I actually started adding just a tiny mount of bleach to my reqular diaper wash and the rashes instant cleared. It did no damage at all to my diapers except lightened up a few. It actually restored my covers.

Deanna

[akat]

that sounds like no fun.

how do you normally wash them and what type of cloth diapers do you use?

[Michigan Mama]

Originally Posted by akat

that sounds like no fun.

how do you normally wash them and what type of cloth diapers do you use?

this was going to be my question exactly...

[lifeguard]

I'd give bleach ago. It takes SO little & for us it made all the difference in the world after trying so hard & just being frustrated all the time.

[la79al]

We use a lot of fitteds with covers, a few BG OS ( I think I've given up on those completely, they just stink in general), some Kushies (these are headed to the attic, they aren't containing DDs poop for some reason) and some prefolds. I really like our fitteds but in reality, we have enough prefolds that we could use those exclusively.
I generally rinse on cold, wash with All Free & Clear, then do 2-3 cold rinses. I hang them on the line, weather and toddler permitting.
I REALLY want to keep CDing but I can't deal with the stink and we certainly cannot deal with DDs bright red bottom

[alegna]

ah- cold rinses are useless. IME you need HOT

-Angela

[Katie T]

I second the hot rinses I dont have the option on my machine so just rin another hot wash cycle w/no soap till there are no bubbles. The amonia smell is a typical sign of detergent build up & there is probably still dawn in the dipes causing her reaction.

[ibusymomto5]

Sorry you're having troubles. Don't know if this could be it for you or not, but we had problems with All F&C. I don't think it was strong enough to get the diapers good and clean, and it caused build up.

I would recommend washing the diapers in nothing but very hot water for a couple of cycles, maybe even let them soak a little while. Then I'd give a different detergent a try. Several different ones worked for us, but the best one was Tide. It doesn't take much, because it works so well. It wouldn't hurt to add a tiny bit of bleach as well.

Good luck, hope something works and you don't have to throw in the towel!!

[la79al]

Okay, I just washed a load of diapers and put vinegar in with every rinse (I did about 3 hots after washing). They smell a little bit better already. I had to put them in the dryer but we will see what happens when they come out. I really really hope that this solves the problems. And I guess I am going detergent shopping. We just switched to the All F & C not too long ago because the store we shop at stopped selling the Arm & Hammer free & clear stuff.

[threekstrio]

I think it's your Free and Clear detergents honestly.
Use Tide. Tide Original Powder and use about half a scoop of it.
We've used it for 6 years without issues. It's wonderful.

[alegna]

Tide is generally not a good choice for diapers as it has enzymes. It burns many babies.

-Angela

[messy mama]

We use Tide and love it!! We make sure all detergent is rinsed out completely.