Black spots on my prefolds! ETA STILL! Argh!

[Mosaic]

My prefolds are getting small black spots on them! I wash them every other day: cold soak w/ baking soda, hot wash w/ All F&C & Oxyclean, extra rinse, hot dry. Same as we did w/ DD1.

First we had a stink problem, so I stripped w/ vinegar, Dawn, everything, before swapping baking soda for the vinegar and then breaking out the bleach. But it worked, and I thought we were in the clear.

But now we have black spots that seem to be multiplying. Sunning hasn't helped, and I don't want to bleach again!

I CDed DD1 with just prefolds and BSWWs and bleached only once the entire 3 yrs, after rotavirus. DD2 is 4mo and I can't believe we're going that way again! What am I doing wrong??

[RiverSky]

Black spots are almost surely mold. If I were you, I'd bleach. You could try a tea tree oil soak first, but I think that with the amount of mold you are describing, a bleach wash (hot water) is necessary to save your diapers. You certainly don't want mold against your baby's skin.

[clovergirl]

Where are you located? If you are having the same crazy hot and humid summer I am I would not be surprised at the mildew on the prefolds. Grossed out maybe, but not surprised.
If you currently have a tight top on your diaper pail, take it off. It needs light and air circulation; the dampness and darkness will feed the mildew. I wouldn't hesitate to use bleach (at least 1/4c in a hot wash) but don't be surprised if it doesn't seem to do much, as mildew can actually stain fabrics. So even though the bleach will disinfect the prefolds, they may still have the black spots. As long as they don't multiply again, you should be in the clear.

After you get that squared away, you may want to think about changing detergents or adding something to your wash routine, like Bac-out or a diapering pre-wash product. If the only thing you are washing is prefolds, vinegar in the rinse cycle would be a good idea (though not if you have hard water).

I hope you find something that works soon!

[luv-my-boys]

black spots=mold. Either the dipes are staying wet (like in a pail) too long or they are not being completely dried fast (like in really humid weather or not long enough in dryer.

Personally I would use a tiny bit of bleach to kill the bleach and then make sure that the dipes are allowd to get enough air/light circulation prior to washing and allowed to dry and air out some after (in case the inner core of the dipes is humid)

[Mosaic]

That's what I was afraid of. It has been hot and humid here (NC), but we leave the diaper pail wide open, wash every other day, and dry on hot for an hour. What else can I do to make the mold stay away? Will I kill my prefolds if I bleach every month or so?

[JamieCatheryn]

I'll bet with that routine if you really and truly kill the mold once it won't come back.

[fruitfulmomma]

Do you rinse your diapers before throwing them in the pail? When I was doing that I got mold spots on them. With just the urine on them it has never been a problem though.

[Mosaic]

Nope, no rinsing, just straight into the pail. I did get a new wet bag/pail liner that is PUL-lined, so the air doesn't circulate well. But washing every other day seems like not enough time for mold to set in.

I was using vinegar in the wash, but when the stink responded to baking soda, I quit adding vinegar. I've been looking for Bac-out in the stores w/ no luck... Would it help to use TTO more often?

[mommy2maya]

Bleaching prefolds won't kill them unless you are leaving them to soak in straight bleach. The bleach will get rid of any stink too cause they will be completely clean

[Siennaflower]

I would add a capful of bleach to each wash until the humidity dies off (hopefully soon!).

[Mosaic]

Really? Oh, awesome! While I prefer to use more natural approaches, I have zero tolerance for mold; and I'm glad to hear it won't ruin my diapers even with regular use.

It's also nice to know that it can stain, so that I don't have to worry that the mold is constantly regrowing in the exact same places.

Thank you so much, ladies!

[Mosaic]

I'm back: my diapers are STILL getting more and more and more black and gray spots on them. I've put bleach in the soak and in the hot wash and then did an extra wash afterwards to remove the bleach residue AND sunned them, but the spots are definitely still multiplying.

1) Bac-out: where can I buy it, and will it help?
2) Do I need a new pail liner? I use Kissaluv's antibacterial one, and the bag seems fine but I wonder if it's trapping the moisture inside even though I leave the pail open all the time (an option that won't really be feasible once DD starts solids). With DD1 I used a cheap, non-H2Oproof bag that was gross to carry around but probably did help the dipes in the bottom dry out.
3) Not ALL the dipes have spots, so is it safe to assume it's not my washer (frontloader)?

What am I missing?

[cristeen]

You could be contaminating from another spot that isnt getting cleaned as often. Wet bag, wipes container, etc. I'd probably do a complete scrub down of everything - the diaper pail, the wipes container, changing area, etc.

I will say though that an hour in the dryer does not give me dry dipes unless im only washing pockets. Fitteds and pfs all take closer to 90 minutes here to be completely dry at the hottest setting. If they're even slightly damp, in a humid climate, that will encourage more mold.

[jeminijad]

I second the idea of sanitizing everything the diapers come in contact with. Bleach solution on everything possible.

Then, I would be really hard core for a few weeks with bleach on the diapers themselves. Hot washes. Maybe add boiling water. Tumble dry high till they are TOTALLY dry.

If after 2 - 3 weeks of this, you return to your normal routine and you are still getting spots, you will need a new pail, new liner and new prefolds.

[Mosaic]

Ohmigosh, you gals rock! You're right: I haven't done a thorough, really thorough cleaning of my pail, the changing area, etc. That plus regular bleach, hotter water, longer drying time, for a solid 2-3 weeks instead of just a wash or two, sounds like a great plan. I'm gonna cook these suckers out!

That's it, germs... I'm declaring war!! Any other battle strategies I should keep in mind?