What is that awful smell?

[ammiga]

I am using Thirsties Duo Wrap diapers. When I wash them I use Allen's Naturally with cold/cold, then a second cycle of hot/cold and no detergent. About a week ago, I took the inserts out of the dryer (I line-dry the pockets) and they smelled fishy. I have never used anything other than Allen's to wash, no creams, and only water on diaper wipes.

I can't get the fishy smell out, and it is intensified in the dryer, although the pockets smell too. My other laundry does not smell like this. Any thoughts on what caused this and how to get rid of it?

[mama2soren]

Hmm, could you adjust your wash routine a little? It sounds like they're not getting clean enough.

First, I'd strip the diapers using Dawn soap (a squirt of Dawn with a hot wash, no other soaps, lots of rinse cycles until no more suds appear). This will get any buildup off and make them squeaky clean again.

Then, for regular wash days, do the cold/cold no detergent to get all the pee and poo out. Thristies duos hold lots of liquid, so if the soap is being used with the first cycle, it's competing against a lot of retained waste on the inserts. Then do your hot/cold WITH detergent. Add an extra rinse or two until no suds are coming off of the diapers.

Do you use Allen's with your other laundry? If not, what do you use? Do you use softeners or dryer sheets with your other laundry? Other detergent residues and softeners can build up in the washer and dryer and get gunk on your diapers too. If you don't use Allen's full time, maybe try finding another detergent that's diaper-safe (like Ecos, Country Save, etc) for your clothes? That will help cut down on build-up issues.

[Katie T]

I agree that I don't think the cold cycle with no prerinse is getting the diapers clean enough. I would do as the pp suggested and you should be fine. "If" you have the problem again I would let them soak in the hot wash with soap and that should solve any smell issues.

[labellaluna]

That fishy smell sounds like a bacteria buildup in your diapers. I would hot soak them with OxyClean Free ( sodium percarbonate) which is in almost ALL CD safe detergents and is a disinfectant. Disinfecting sounds like what you need!

[SaoirseC]

Just another thought (sort of a stab in the dark):
Is anyone on fish oil or omega oil supplements. One day my 4 yo daughter OD'ed on the fish oil gels and later had this runny oily poo. I washed her undies with the dipes, and the oil got all over the dipes and the interior of our dryer (just like fabric softener). I had to wash it all several times just to get the fishy smell out! Just thought I'd mention it in case if you hadn't thought of that.

[clovergirl]

How much Allen's are you using and what type of washer do you have (front or top loader)?
I would also recommend changing up your routine. Do a cold pre-wash or rinse and spin with just water, then do a hot wash with detergent, and finally, add in a second rinse and spin.
But before you do that, you may want to strip the diapers. Using oxygen bleach is a pretty safe first step to do so and it will help get the funk out. Once you do that, then start the new wash routine.