[Kimmiepie]

About two weeks ago we noticed ds to be in some pain and the tip of his penis was bleeding. We took him to the doctor and she said he had folliculitis. She said it was from the cloth diapers. I was inclined not to believe her because I didn't like anyone telling me that my decision to cloth diaper had give him this problem. But I switched to sposies and in two days it was gone. I reintroduced the cloth about 5 days ago and it's back. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
I probably need to strip them if they're harboring bacteria, but I don't know how. I want to avoid using any chemicals like soap if possible. I usually use baking soda and vinegar and sometimes EO. Please tell me what to do.<br><br>
Thanks!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[molarmama]

I bleached my diapers on occasion. I know a lot of people don't like to do this, but my son never had a reaction to it and they felt cleaner to me. YOu could also try boiling them and hanging them in the sun to dry.

 

[Scotch]

Are you using too much detergent? Or the wrong detergent? The only times DS has had similar red penis issue since we switched to CD (last summer, when he was already over 2 yo), was because of detergent residue. We have a FL and I had no idea I was using too much detergent! It is not normally an issue with regular clothes, but with CDs, detergent residue will react to the urine and baby's skin suffers. Of course bacteria could be a cause as well if your wash routine is not washing everything clean. What is your wash routine? A bit of bleach could really help get rid of the bacteria (or sunning); then you can go back to a *regular* wash routine without bleach.

 

[Scotch]

I forgot to mention I've read some kids can react to too much vinegar in the diapers as well. A couple of mamas on the Pin awhile back said when they cut off the vinegar they also cut off some skin reactions. So I rarely use any vinegar in my rinse -- maybe once in a blue moon.

 

[Scotch]

I forgot to ask what kind of CDs do you use? Some babies are sensitive/allergic to polyester, for example, so anything fleece-lined would be out.

 

[Kimmiepie]

Thanks.<br><br>
I don't use detergents, but it only started happening after I got some diapers from mamas. Perhaps they had used detergent?<br><br>
We use a variety of dipes...Snap Ez, GADs, etc nothing unusual. I don't think it's the fleece as he's been wearing that for a long time and never had a reaction to it.<br><br>
My wash routine is like this:<br><br>
Throw them in a cold water rinse and spin with some vinegar. Then do a full heavy duty wash on hot with baking soda and lavender oil. That's it.<br><br>
How do you boil them? I like that idea.<br><br>
If you don't use vinegar how do you control bacteria? I don't like the idea of bleach.<br><br>
Thanks!!

 

[MyLittleWonders]

Was he fine with that wash routine before the "new"/used diapers were introduced? I know we can't do baking soda, vinegar, or e.o.'s as all 3 irritate my boys' skin and penises. I now use Country Wide which is sold in HFSs. I don't use bleach, and as of yet, don't have a clothes line ... sometimes I run them through the "sanitary" cycle which super heats the water. Otherwise they are what they are. If you are using diapers with elastic, PUL, or poly fibers, do not boil them. You might try washing them on hot with about a teaspoon or two of Dawn dish soap (just the plain old regular Dawn). Then run them through a few more cycles until there are no more suds. This will strip them and should get them squeaky clean. Then, you can go back to your regular routine if they were previously fine for his skin.

 

[Kimmiepie]

Thanks. I guess I can't boil them so I'll have to use the soap.<br><br>
Yes, he was fine with this routine before.<br><br>
Does it have to be Dawn or can it be just other liquid soap?<br><br>
I use Ecover dish soap which is all natural.

 

[Scotch]

Hum, if you don't use anything but vinegar and baking soda, I'm not sure just water alone will get your diapers clean -- what is removing the gunk? Maybe if you have SUPER hot water in your machine; but even then, not sure that is sufficient. Here is a page that you may find helpful: <a href="http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentbasics.htm#Pocket%20Diapers" target="_blank">http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.co...cket%20Diapers</a>. And here is another page: <a href="http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.co...entchoices.htm</a>.

 

[mamalara]

I'd try a Seventh Generation llaundry detergent, using 1/3 the normal amount for the amount of wash. Maybe a scoop of oxiclean if desired. The main thing is that the detergent gets them really clean. I do a cold pre-soak with a scoop of oxiclean to loosen stains (in the washing machine) then after a few hours turn on the machine, using the same water for a cold wash. I follow that with a hot wash w/ only water. The hot wash with just water washes everything you've used to clean them out. My son is sensitive, too. He got irritated when I was doing only one wash, and not doing the hot wash w' only water following it. I had to add it back in, and it seems to make all the difference for us.

 

[mzfern]

Doesn't 7th gen detergent have optical brighteners in it? Or some other non-diaper friendly ingredients? Either way, we haven't had any problems with Charlie's Soap. It's great even in front loaders. Highly recommended around here, too. Good luck finding what works for your little guy <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[mamalara]

Nope, Seventh Generation doesn't have optical brighteners. Check out their website- I think it's seventhgen.com. They list all the reasons thier detergent and other cleaning products are more ecologically sound. I like thier stuff a lot-we've had a good experience with what we've tried of theirs.

 

[marnie]

i use 7th gen "sensitive care" for diapers - no enzymes. the regular sometimes irritated my daughter.

 

[sagira]

No optical brighteners, but I heard Seventh Generation has the citrus oils that could potentially make your pockets leak.

 

[birdiefu]

My DS was getting a red penis with Charlies. We switched back to Mountain Green and the problem is gone. Though I think Charlies may have worked if I used even less, but I was already at 1/2 a scoop for a wash.

 

[3cuties]

I definitely think you need to use soap in your wash. Additionally, perhaps you should run one wash with bleach. Everyone has different preferences for soap -- but just pick one and you should be fine. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[snookies]

I would use bleach first - to kill of everything that may be lingering and rinse rinse rinse. Then wash. I agree in that you should use soap to wash - Allens is great and I have never had a problem. I dont use vinegar or TTO as some babies do have sensitivities to those...

 

[Momma Aimee]

i too bleach mine on occsion, then wash them twice like normal (with the bio kleen detergeent and bac -out) and then they are fine.<br><br>
i think you need to use a saop or detergent in the normal wash cycle on a routie basis. let's remember hat we are washing here <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
i have had to use normal free and clear brands form the sotre on occssion and they are fine too -- no reactions.<br><br>
I do an extra rinse after my wash (where i choose extra rinse option too) -- and dry mine twice to be sure they are all dry.<br><br>
Aimee

 

[sagira]

When you say bleach, do you mean chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach? Do both kill bacteria? (Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I honestly don't know)

 

[Momma Aimee]

i like the biokleen powered oxgyn bleach -- it is what i use. but i don't know for sure.<br><br>
Aimee