Stripping My Cloth Diapers
8:41 AM Posted by Mommy Is Green
After two and a half months my cloth diapers started to get an ammonia smell. They smelled fresh and clean after washing but had a really strong odor after my son would wet them. I use soap nuts to clean them so I didn't think it was a detergent build-up problem. Then it dawned on me what could have happened...
- I started washing my cloth wipes with my diapers. Since I use a homemade wipes solution that contains castile soap, essential oils, and olive oil that could have created an issue.
- My husband would occasionally use a different detergent to wash regular laundry.
- I was balling up my diapers and using a wet bag to store them. Not much room in there for the diapers to breath.
- I was washing the diapers in warm/warm per the diaper instructions.
The more I looked into it I realized I should be doing a cold pre-rinse and a hot/cold wash, extra rinse. Cold water helps to avoid stink and stains. Hot water helps to clean better.
Okay...so I knew how I would change my washing routine, but what about the ammonia odor? I learned from @pootersdiapers on Twitter what I could use to strip cloth diapers. Oxygen Bleach (not recommended for hard water) was one of the things listed. Since I had some I decided to give it a go. It worked!!!
Here's what I did:
- Soaked already clean inserts in hot water with 6 oz. of oxygen bleach for 4 hours
- Washed diapers with soap nuts in a hot/cold cycle
- Washed diapers again without soap nuts in a hot/cold cycle
***It's very important to rinse thoroughly because any oxygen bleach that is left on the diapers can irritate baby's skin.***
Not all oxygen bleaches are created equal. You'll want to look for sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate listed as the only ingredients. Other fillers can harm your cloth diapers. Also, different oxygen bleaches contain different levels of sodium percarbonate. I specifically used Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach on my diapers.
I used this method on my inserts only. I have mostly AI2 diapers so I can wash my inserts separately from my shells. Also, this worked because my cloth diapers are made of natural, organic fibers. I'm not sure what would work on microfiber. I've heard Biokleen Bac-Out will work but I have no experience with that so far. I've only recently received a couple of microfiber diapers to try so maybe I will be able to comment on that later.
Another thing to keep in mind is to check out what your cloth diaper manufacturer considers safe to use with your diapers. Using additives can sometimes void product warranties. As far as how many times oxygen bleach can be safely used with your cloth diapers without ruining the fibers...I have no clue. I've been trying to research and find an answer to that question. Chlorine bleach will ruin your cloth diapers for sure. That I do know. I avoid chlorine bleach completely for any use. I'm not comfortable with using Dawn either because it's not eco-friendly. I'd consider it only if I was completely desperate. With options like oxygen bleach and vinegar, I'd rather go with those first.
What has worked well for you? Do you have any methods of avoiding cloth diaper ammonia odors? I'd love to know your routine!
UPDATE on 7/21/11: I've started soaking with vinegar instead of oxygen bleach and using Charlie's Soap instead of soap nuts. It seems to last a little longer. ***Please remember to rinse well when using Charlie's Soap. Not all children do well with this soap so pay special attention.***
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October 12, 2010 8:58 AM
I am SO GLAD you posted this! I thought my daughter was dehydrated or had some sort of infection for the longest time. Then I used throw aways to see if that made a difference for a week and NO SMELL. Can't wait to try your method. I'll let you know how it goes. The smell is horrible, after pee of course.
Additionally we were using charly's soap and our daughter (after 13 mths of using this soap) got blistersthat the doctor couldn't explain. I read later that Charly's soap had caused chem burn. Have you heard about this?
October 12, 2010 10:19 AM
Hi Jennifer! I have heard about Charlie's Soap causing those problems. I'm so sorry your daughter had blisters like that. :( Poor sweet babe!
If you're concerned about the detergent you're using, think about soap nuts. They are actually dried berries. I know it sounds strange to wash your diapers/clothes with berries but they truly do work. You can even get USDA certified organic versions.
Sometimes ammonia odor can be caused by detergent build-up. Try running your diapers through a hot/cold wash without detergent. Look for suds in the machine while you're doing this. If you see any detergent suds, keep rinsing until you don't see them anymore. Some detergents won't suds up so it's hard to tell. But a wash without detergent is still a good thing to try.
I'd love to hear if the oxygen bleach works for you! Let me know. If you have any questions feel free to leave another comment or email me. I'm always happy to help! :)
October 20, 2010 12:28 PM
Bac-Out is a godsend for us. I use it in the cold rinse. Our diapers have never been cleaner, and if I skip it, I can tell. The diapers will feel like there's a residue or something icky left on them.
Soap nuts work to clean diapers? I tried them on a towel, and they didn't suds up or anything, and the towel didn't get clean. Is there a trick to making them work? I still have four uses left on my little bag, but I'm hesitant to try them again.
October 20, 2010 1:02 PM
@Mama needs a nap Hi there! I'm going to have to try the Bac-Out too. I have it around for carpet stains and to clean the diaper pail. So it would be easy for me to try it with my diapers too. Thank you for letting me know it works well for you!
Soap nuts have worked pretty well for my cloth diapers. They do take a bit to get used to though. Mostly because they don't suds up a lot in the wash. So I completely understand what you're talking about. With my towels I wash them on hot and throw in a little oxygen bleach or baking soda in addition to the soap nuts. With the rest of my laundry and my cloth diapers I use the soap nuts alone. I would give the soap nuts a try with your regular laundry first so you get used to them. Then give them another go with your towels. If you do try them with your diapers though, you may experience old detergent working it's way out of the diapers. So they may not appear to be working at first. Let me know if you have any luck! :)
October 20, 2010 1:10 PM
OK, I'll try the soap nuts again on something else. Thanks for that nudge! :)
December 15, 2010 5:34 AM
I was wondering the same thing with my diapers! I knew something was wrong in my washing. Then i tried doing this I found over the internet: vinegar (cold rinse) and then hot rinse with detergent and baking soda, and then another cold rinse?
What do you think? It's been working, but I have only been doing this for a month...and it's been good no more stinkies. But I dont' know you all are very experienced...I might have to budge if somebody has already done this method!
n.snaer at gmail dot com---love to hear advice
February 19, 2011 11:46 PM
My son is 14mns and we have been using cloth since birth. From new born until 8mns we used Eco Sprout and never had a problem with any smells. When I had surgery I had to stop nursing and he started formula. That was the only time we had any stink issues. I switched to Rockin Green and havent had another problem. Our was routine is every two days: Full wash Cold/cold no soap. Hot Wash with RnG Leaving the lid up over night so they soak. Put the lid down in the morning and rinse cold. Then another rinse cold. We use mostly pocket diapers with a micro fiber/hemp/bamboo combo insert. The only AIO are Blissful Booty and they are AMAZING!