Hi everyone -
I used to think I was quite the expert at getting rid of stink issues in diapers. Well not anymore. The ammonia stench is back and this time I can't get rid of it.
I have a big stash of typical AIOs - PUL outer, microfibre insert and fleece lining. We have hard well water. We have a water softener but the water is still relatively hard. I use a touch of Nature Clean liquid in a HE FL along with some Calgon in every wash. Warm rinse, hot water wash, two warm rinses.
The first time we got the stink, I tried everything in the world and finally what worked was boiling my diapers for about 5 minutes in water with a generous amount of Calgon (about 2 cups in a big corn pot of water on the stove). I don't know what made me try this but it worked! This also worked for another friend of mine who lives nearby and also has well water. The first time I did it, the ammonia stink came back after about 6 months so I did it again. That time, the stink came back after about 3 months so I did it again. This time it took less than 3 weeks (so less than 6 washes) for the stench to come back worse than ever.
So my system isn't working anymore. Before I go to the trouble of boiling up my dipes again (it's a huge amount of work) only to have it not really work again, does anyone have any advice? The same thing happened to my friend and she ended up going to sposies. I really can't bear this thought.
Should I try blue dawn? If so, how? I can't imagine that I should put it in my HE FL.
In my normal wash routine, I add Calgon to the hot wash but not the rinses. Is it possible that minerals are being deposited during the rinse? If so, is it safe to add Calgon to the rinses, given that it won't get rinsed out.
Sorry for writing such a novel! I hope that some of you diaper stripping afficianados take the time to read and share your wisdom.
I used to think I was quite the expert at getting rid of stink issues in diapers. Well not anymore. The ammonia stench is back and this time I can't get rid of it.
I have a big stash of typical AIOs - PUL outer, microfibre insert and fleece lining. We have hard well water. We have a water softener but the water is still relatively hard. I use a touch of Nature Clean liquid in a HE FL along with some Calgon in every wash. Warm rinse, hot water wash, two warm rinses.
The first time we got the stink, I tried everything in the world and finally what worked was boiling my diapers for about 5 minutes in water with a generous amount of Calgon (about 2 cups in a big corn pot of water on the stove). I don't know what made me try this but it worked! This also worked for another friend of mine who lives nearby and also has well water. The first time I did it, the ammonia stink came back after about 6 months so I did it again. That time, the stink came back after about 3 months so I did it again. This time it took less than 3 weeks (so less than 6 washes) for the stench to come back worse than ever.
So my system isn't working anymore. Before I go to the trouble of boiling up my dipes again (it's a huge amount of work) only to have it not really work again, does anyone have any advice? The same thing happened to my friend and she ended up going to sposies. I really can't bear this thought.
Should I try blue dawn? If so, how? I can't imagine that I should put it in my HE FL.
In my normal wash routine, I add Calgon to the hot wash but not the rinses. Is it possible that minerals are being deposited during the rinse? If so, is it safe to add Calgon to the rinses, given that it won't get rinsed out.
Sorry for writing such a novel! I hope that some of you diaper stripping afficianados take the time to read and share your wisdom.
