Cloth diapers & toddler - leaking/smell

[FnkyGreenMama]

I'm looking for some advice with a cloth diaper problem. We have used cloth almost exclusively since DS's birth. He is now 2. We have always used a variety of styles/brands and there are a few one size diapers that we still use on him to this day (Swaddlebees econappi and Bum Genius). We also use Fuzzibunz, Happy Heiny, Motherease, and Berry Plush. The problem is that we have frequent leaks and the diapers/inserts really stink after DS pees in them. The leaks happen a lot at nap time at daycare (which is frustrating our provider, understandably, and she is now using disposables) or when he's been sitting for a while.

While the problem seems to be worse with the SB Econappies (new and old), it does seem to affect all of our diapers.

Our wash routine: dry pail, hot wash with half scoop of Nature Clean, cold rinse and now another cold/rinse. I have tried stripping them, using vinegar in the rinse, and even adding a small amount of bleach on 2 occasions.

Do cloth diapers start to fail at some point? Anyone else BTDT? Anything else we can try? TIA

[junipervt]

we had to stop using swaddlebees when DD started peeing like a big kid (holding for 2-3hrs then peeing all at once). They just could not hold up to that much all at one time. I have a feeling this could be part of you problem. Not all diapers can withstand a flood

it also sounds like they could use a regular strip & insert bleaching. you could just make it a part of your washing routine. Once a month all outers & inserts get a strip w/ dawn. Then the inserts get a soak in bleach (to kill the bacteria causing your smell problems) followed by lots of rinses.

I'm not a fan of bleach, but I figure since the inserts are not touching the LO's skin it's ok. If you don't want to use bleach you can look into getting some GSE to add to your wash cycle. I have a friend who had a diaper service & she used it instead of bleach to disinfect the service diapers.

[FnkyGreenMama]

Originally Posted by junipervt

we had to stop using swaddlebees when DD started peeing like a big kid (holding for 2-3hrs then peeing all at once). They just could not hold up to that much all at one time. I have a feeling this could be part of you problem. Not all diapers can withstand a flood

Thanks for your reply That makes sense. DS is partially toilet learned at this point and I think he's overwhelming the diapers with huge pees!

Thanks for the wash/strip tips. We'll try that, and we have used GSE before and I still have some so I can use that again, as well.