[prothyraia]

We moved this month, and suddenly our diapers stink. An icky nasty musty gross when even a little damp (water, pee, doesn't matter), stink.

I was trying to figure out what the problem could be. The switch to the well water? Water not hot enough? Washer not using enough water? Detergent residue? Something else? Before moving, we used a laundromat. My husband usually washes the dipes, so I asked him how much detergent he was using.

Him: "None."
Me: "NONE?"
Him: "I don't use detergent"
Me: "Since...when?"
Him: "Like forever"

: Well, I guess I know why they stink!
The thing is, though, that they were getting perfectly clean at the laundromat with just...water. Sure, few, came out with poopy stains, but I'd toss them right back in the pail when I sorted them and they all got clean eventually. Who knew it was THAT simple?

 

[alysonb]

That's why my dh is not allowed anywhere near the laundry. If I had to guess, I'd say that either the laundromat water was hotter, more intense wash, etc., or maybe that there was just enough detergent residue from other people that it worked into your wash.

 

[mamamoo]

I bet there was enough det lef tin the washers at the laundromat to make up for using none at all. At least it won't be hard to fix your wash routine.

 

[quietserena]

Actually at our house, half the loads do get done with nothing. I've been known to ask DH why he used detergent cause I can smell it in the clothes.

 

[jessitron]

Good point about the leftover detergent.

I've also heard that if the water is purified enough, you don't need detergent. Maybe the laundromat softened and filtered the water... it could happen.

 

[boingo82]

I'm guessing your new house has hard water. We've had it and it's why we don't CD anymore.

 

[prothyraia]

Soaking and hand-washing them in a metric ton of deteregent, then soaking them in a bit of vinegar, then rinsing multiple times, seemed to save them. Now, to find a way to keep them nice and fresh without having to ever do THAT again....

 

[boingo82]

See, I had hard water in the last place, and it meant crunchy-feeling diapers that always smelled a little. The calc. deposits meant that a brand new diaper would have worn spots and holes within 2 months. They meant that my oldest, whose skin is more sensitive, batted a constant open-sores rash. They mean a horrifying stench as soon as urine or water hit the diaper. I tried vinegar. I tried bleach. I tried 7 different detergents. I tried hot washing, cold washing, etc.

We are now in a new house with better water, I think and I've run the diapers through a long wash with RLR and they still smell. We are using disposables now but if it's possible to *reasonably* cd here then I will.
However, I haven't figured out how to get my diapers (and I have a trash-bag's worth) to not stink.

It is so depressing to see 50 diapers basically in tatters because of the water you've had. And since going to sposies my son's poor bottom has been at worst, a little red. But no more open sores.

 

[prothyraia]

That sounds awful

: Mine aren't coming out crunchy, so hopefully our water's not as bad. Only time will tell...

 

[rebeccalizzie]

Emily, have you tried water softener? That's what finally worked for me--my dipes are still a tiny bit crunchy feeling, but it's better. Also, I cannot use Charlies, it won't work. I use All free and clear, a scoop of water softener, and some vinegar in the rinse water.

 

[boingo82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccalizzie Emily, have you tried water softener? That's what finally worked for me--my dipes are still a tiny bit crunchy feeling, but it's better. Also, I cannot use Charlies, it won't work. I use All free and clear, a scoop of water softener, and some vinegar in the rinse water.

I didn't know you could buy it without getting the $500-1000 whole-home setup.
Where did you get it?
Also, wouldn't that stop additional buildup but not salvage the buildup I already have?
Thanks.

 

[mamamoo]

Calgon makes a liquid or powder water softner.

If you run your bad dipes with just super hot water and calgon it will strip all the nastiness out of them.

If you have hard water stay away from baking soda, washing soda, and maybe borax(nto as sure on that one). Calgon, is great for hard water, and vinegar in the rinse is good(but maybe not strong enough for really hard water).

 

[rebeccalizzie]

Yup, I use generic Calgon, a scoop per load. I never thought of it either, a friend pointed me in that direction. I may try the super hot water and Calgon rinse...they are much cleaner and no more stink, but still a little crunchy, especially the velour ones. They are less crunchy already though, I think the Calgon is slowly eating all the buildup.

 

[boingo82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccalizzie Yup, I use generic Calgon, a scoop per load. I never thought of it either, a friend pointed me in that direction. I may try the super hot water and Calgon rinse...they are much cleaner and no more stink, but still a little crunchy, especially the velour ones. They are less crunchy already though, I think the Calgon is slowly eating all the buildup.

That's fantastic; I wonder if I can find it locally?

 

[mamamoo]

And you know, once you get rid of all the buildup, vinegar might be enough to keep it at bay(it was/is for me).
I find vinegar to be a lot cheaper, but I haven't seen a generic calgon. Is it a store brand?

 

[heatherRN]

You could always get it at drugstore.com and get free shipping for an order over $49! and no tax!
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...-PLST-0-SEARCH

 

[zosiasmama]

A little calgon for hard water and some bleach for the stink shoudl take care of this . Bleach is ok from time to time in small doses! Danni

 

[cottontail]

I have forgotten to add detergent and didn't figure it out 'till I was hanging them up on the line and took another clean sniff test.