Strong ammonia smell

[3xMama]

Hello!

I've noticed that my diapers have a strong ammonia smell after they've been used. They smell like nothing when they come out of the wash so I thought they were getting pretty clean. But anymore, I dread changing my son's diaper because it just burns my nose! Its not so bad during the day when he's getting his diaper changed, but its pretty harsh smelling first diap change. I've also noticed that the smell seems to linger, even after I've stuffed the diaper into the bag.

Do I have an issue going on here? Is it possibly related to DS's red bum? (My thinking on that is if it burns my nose, is it bothering his skin.) And if I do have an issue, how do I take care of it?

Oh, I pretty much only use GMD cotton prefolds. Its what works for us so I stick with it!!

[ChaoticMum]

Sounds like they need to be stripped - meaning that they likely have a buildup of soap in them. It can happen normally - but happens quickly if you use to much laundry soap.

The best way I find to get rid of this is to wash them about 3 times in a row in super hot water - with no soap at all.

This is a great site for advice on diapers

http://www.zany-zebra.com/stripping-cloth-diapers.shtml

I'm not on very often, so not sure if I can answer any more questions but will try to remember to come back.

[chrstene]

Originally Posted by 3xMama

Hello!

I've noticed that my diapers have a strong ammonia smell after they've been used. They smell like nothing when they come out of the wash so I thought they were getting pretty clean. But anymore, I dread changing my son's diaper because it just burns my nose! Its not so bad during the day when he's getting his diaper changed, but its pretty harsh smelling first diap change. I've also noticed that the smell seems to linger, even after I've stuffed the diaper into the bag.

Do I have an issue going on here? Is it possibly related to DS's red bum? (My thinking on that is if it burns my nose, is it bothering his skin.) And if I do have an issue, how do I take care of it?

Oh, I pretty much only use GMD cotton prefolds. Its what works for us so I stick with it!!

I use GMD prefolds too and we often get that BURNING ammonia smell too. It got so bad overnight and he was SO red that I started using sposies at night. What kind of washer do you use? I am asking because when I had my DD I used the SAME diapers and never had an issue....we had an old top loader. Used her diapers for him...but we got an HE front loader and I think that 's the difference ! We still use Charlie's soap. Nothing is different.

Just this past week I have started a new routine to see if it helps. I love our prefolds and just want to fix the problem. (gave up on BG's since getting the front loader).
Right now, I am doing a quick rinse/spin. Then I rinse and NO spin so they are soaking wet. I run a Whitest white/the longest wash with my Charlies. then I run another entire Whitest white cycle with no detergent. If I remember to go check the rinse and still see a few suds, i run a normal wash.

It's ridiculous and takes me ALL day to wash the diapers, but I'm so sick of the smell. HOpefully someone else chimes in...just thought I would share my experience with you in case it helps.

[3xMama]

Chrstene-we have a top loader. I've considred that its our detergent, but we've been using the same detergent the entire time and are only now having issues. Of course, it could be detergent build up so I am going to spend some time stripping my diapers tomorrow. I just washed everything this evening so I have a good place to start tomorrow. I'm going to try the tips from that website, thanks for posting it ChaoticMum! That'll really help me out. I'm going to try the vinegar first, I think.

[Tjej]

I would strip with extra vinegar when that happened. But these are vague memories of a couple of years ago...

That smell is penetrating - phew! But you can get rid of it. I know I did eventually.

Tjej

[lunita1]

Originally Posted by 3xMama

Hello!

I've noticed that my diapers have a strong ammonia smell after they've been used. They smell like nothing when they come out of the wash so I thought they were getting pretty clean. But anymore, I dread changing my son's diaper because it just burns my nose! Its not so bad during the day when he's getting his diaper changed, but its pretty harsh smelling first diap change. I've also noticed that the smell seems to linger, even after I've stuffed the diaper into the bag.

Do I have an issue going on here? Is it possibly related to DS's red bum? (My thinking on that is if it burns my nose, is it bothering his skin.) And if I do have an issue, how do I take care of it?

Oh, I pretty much only use GMD cotton prefolds. Its what works for us so I stick with it!!

I recently had this issue with my prefolds, and 1/4 cup of bleach in one washer load cleared it up.

[jgmn]

Try stripping with a squirt of dawn, super hot water and then lots of rinses.
I know alot of people (myself included) that use Tide detergent and it eliminates the stinkies.

[Carma]

In my case ammonia stink was caused by not washing good enough (I have a HE FL from LG). I had ammonia stink right after they got wet with urine.
I got the stink out by boiling my inserts and the stink didn't come back when I switched to Tide. I was using Free and Clear 7th Generation.
We have no problems with rashes from the Tide enzymes. We use powder Tide, which rinses out pretty well. Also no repelling issues sofar (I use Tide now for about 2 months). I don't even have ammonia smell after 3 days in the pail now.
I wish there was a more natural detergent that washes as well as Tide powder. I want to try Country Safe after I finish my Tide box.

Carma

[chrstene]

How much powder Tide ?? Is there a special powder? HE? no scent, etc.

thanks ! willing to try !

[Carma]

I use Tide HE powder original scent. I didn't find scentless yet in the HE powders unfortunately.
I use very little powder, maybe 1/4 of the 1-line on the cup for about 12 pockets with about 20 inserts.

Carma

[lunita1]

Originally Posted by Carma

In my case ammonia stink was caused by not washing good enough (I have a HE FL from LG). I had ammonia stink right after they got wet with urine.
I got the stink out by boiling my inserts and the stink didn't come back when I switched to Tide. I was using Free and Clear 7th Generation.
We have no problems with rashes from the Tide enzymes. We use powder Tide, which rinses out pretty well. Also no repelling issues sofar (I use Tide now for about 2 months). I don't even have ammonia smell after 3 days in the pail now.
I wish there was a more natural detergent that washes as well as Tide powder. I want to try Country Safe after I finish my Tide box.

Carma

FWIW, I use Tide Free & Clear HE

[Carma]

I use the prewash for the first rinse, so I need a powder detergent. Lunita, did you find Free and Clear in powder for HE machines?

Carma