I started cloth diapering my toddler a few months ago, but now we get the worst ammonia smell whenever he wets. I have tried and tried to strip them but it doesn't seem to help (or at least not for long). I've tried rinse after rinse and have added blue Dawn. I broke down and used a little bleach last time. That helped for a little while but it is back again. Any suggestions?
Also, I've never used cloth on an infant and we're having our third! Do I really need to get the infant prefolds or will regular size work?
I used cloth diapers and I always used a little bleach when I washed them. THe only ammonia smell was when I opened the diaper pail.
The diapers will be pretty big on a newborn, you'll have to fold the even the prefolds.
Adding vinegar to the wash helps, also, how often do you do wash a load? I've found that doing a quick, small load everyday with vinegar and changing the diapers more regularly has helped tremendously. Also, recently I got some seventh generation fabric softner just to make the diapers softer and I only add about 1/4 of what they recommend and it gives it just the slightest nicer scent to them. Then again, I use prefolds... Good luck!
Hi Mama!
I've been there. LOL! There are several things you can do.
I use pocket dipes. So I'm not sure if prefolds are treated differently but I wanted to give my 2 cents just in case. :)
First is the general answer everyone gives.
"Ammonia smell is a common problem with cloth diapers. (Urine gradually turns into ammonia as it sits.) The first thing to do is to check the ingredients in your detergent and possibly switch brands. You can also try adding baking soda to the wash and 1/2 cup white vinegar to the first rinse."
That's what I was always told. I did have to switch detergents. I use Tide Free and Clear. I also only use about a tablespoon. I always swore people were crazy when they said to use less. For us it works. I also add about 1/4 cup Clorox Color Safe Bleach to my load as well as about 4-5 drops of Tea Tree Oil. I used to use baking soda and I never noticed a difference.
I don't prewash them anymore either. Here's my washing regiment. I separate the inserts from the dipes and throw them in the pail liner. When I'm ready to wash I toss them in the washer on the hottest setting I have. Pour in my detergent, color safe bleach and TTO. Wash them as normal. When the load is finished I rewash them again on the hottest setting but I don't add anything to them. This way they can rinse well. Just in case I added too much detergent. When finished I toss them in the dryer on the lowest heat setting. Occasionally I will add some OxiClean to my wash but only if I feel they need some help. When I do this I wash them in hot water with nothing a third time. Just in case. I also try to check my load while it’s agitating to see if I have any suds in there in the second wash. I've found washing them twice in hot water strips them better than they ever were when trying to use Dawn detergent. When you use the Dawn detergent were you using the Ultra or the old fashioned kind? The Ultra won't work. It has to be the old kind. I don't know why but I was finding out I was adding more buildup to them using the Ultra.
I never used prefolds so I can't help on the sizing issue. :(
Good luck! There's nothing worse than a clean and dry but stinky dipe. LOL!
white vinegar works. and sun-drying. ditto to all those comments.
do you have a high efficiency washer? they use less water, and seem to leave the diapers more smelly. (i switched from a "regular" washer to a he, and noticed a difference) a prewash helps with that, and sometimes i do an extra rinse.
make sure your detergent is non-scented, and only use a TINY bit. you might be getting the smell because you are using too much soap.
There is a product called "Bac-Out" that you can soak them in. It's wonderful!
I use cloth diapers on my 2 yo son and his diapers get that ammonia smell, too. From what I have read it is sometimes caused by washing the diapers with a laundry detergent that has a fragrance. After washing and drying, the diapers smell good like the detergent... for a while. Over time the fragrance/ soap residue trap the ammonia smell, even after washing. My solution is to dump a cup or 2 of vinegar in with my load of diapers each time I wash them until the smell is gone. After that I do it about once a month. Some resources I've read also recommend washing diapers with unscented detergent.
As for your second question, I also used the regular size diaper on my infant. But I didn't start cloth diapering her until she was around 3 mos/sleeping thru the night.
Hope this helps!!!
Try adding about 1/2-1 cup of vinegar to the water when you add detergent, fill it up part-way with water and then dump in the diapers. The vinegar smell will go away and you won't notice it. I started adding vinegar to every washload about a year ago... no smells, helps with stains and no need for fabric softener.
Hanging in the sun to dry (yes, I know... it's Nov and that's impossible in most states) also helps with the smell. I'm using our cloth diapers on the 3rd child and still no stains or smells so it is possible. :-)
I recommend the infant prefolds. The regular size are simply too big. My kids were all 9 lbs when born and the regulars were way too big and bulky on them. Even the infant size are a bit bulky for the first month or two.
Don't use bleach anymore unless you know it's OK for your diapers.. soem brands of diapers aren't meant for bleach. Even with the regular prefolds bleach will wear them out faster. My prefolds are 6 years old, used with 3 children (2+ years with each child) and still look pretty new except for that extra fluffiness they get after being washed alot. I never used bleached and they are stain/smell-free... I have friends who used bleached and their diapers only lasted for 1-2 kids and got thinner.
Meredith-
Cloth diapers are really the way to go. The are very inexpensive and so good for the environment. My baby girl is going to be 3 months old the 20th of this month and she has worn cloth diapers since she was born. You do not have to get the prefolds the regular size is fine. I had to fold it down in the back for her but for your boys you will want to fold it down in the front (that's where most of the pee goes). Also I fill the diaper pale up about 1/4 of the way with water and use 1/3 cup of bleach and when I wash them I just pour the whole thing in the washer and spin the diapers out and then wash them with bleach and detergent like you would white clothes. Good luck. M.
I haven't used cloth diapers for 13 years now, but have you tried vinegar? It's a great deodorizer. We use it on pet stains. Works great and the vinegar smell goes away once it dries.
Hi Meredith,
Congrats on your new little guy! I don't have a good answer for your ammonia problem, it could just be time to get some new inserts. Microfiber is horrible for holding smells. The ladies over at diaperswappers.com may have a better solution for you. As for the pf's, its not necessary to get infant size, but I would highly recommend it. You forget how tiny they really are when they're first born, and the regular size are truly bulky. My little guy is almost 11 lbs and I still have a significant fold down in front when I put a regular size on him. Good luck!
It is ok to use bleach everytime on the diapers. If you don't want to do that, I would suggest soaking them in cascade dishwasher powder and clorox 2 color bleach in hot water. This is how I soad my whites and EVERYTHING comes out! The regular size diapers will be fine for your newborn with the small rubber pants. I have not personally used cloth diapers but I babysit for someone that has for all 4 of her children.
I would get the infant sized prefolds if it were me. They are signficantly smaller and a much better fit. As for the smell...I used fleece liners in my diapers, bleached about once a month (follwed the bleach washing with a regular cold-water short wash to make sure they were rinsed well), and used a significant amount of white vinegar in EVERY wash (in the load with the laundry detergent as well as in place of fabric softener and I never had a problem. I also made sure I washed every two days or so.
I do an extra rinse with a cup of vinegar in it every-other wash or so.
i used bleach with each and every load that I washed. I used a full cup. Is your child drinking enough water not jusdt fluid. Have the child checked for diabetes. My urine stinks to high heaven when my sugar is up.
Good luck. Try also rinsing the diapers out and hanging them on the shower rod before washing. That will also help with the smell.
