Please Help

Wolfie615

I posted a few weeks ago about my diapers needing to be striped constantly. Well I switched to tide free and clear (my 3rd detergent). I thought "third time's a charm", but I was wrong. All of my stay dry and pocket diapers are completely repelling water.
We don't use diaper cream and I wash until there aren't any suds. I have a top load (not HE) machine, I don't use softeners/drier sheets, and I typically air dry them. What the heck am I doing wrong?? I want to use cloth but I'm getting so frustrated.

unaveragejane

Okay, what's your wash routine like right now? How much soap are you using? Do you have hard or soft water? That will give everyone a good starting point for troubleshooting.

ETA Why did your diapers need stripping constantly before you switched to Tide? Was the issue always repelling, or did you have barnyard stink or ammonia?

TJ1979

Liquid or powder tide f&c?

Wolfie615

Wash routine is a cold rinse, add 1-2 TBS of detergent (depending in load size), run hot wash extended cycle twice, then rinse. We have soft water. Powder detergent. The diapers start to smell when he wets them, then repelling.
I'm so lost. Thanks for the help.

CLLDLL

AFwifelife said:

How do you know they are repelling? Are the inserts dry and you are getting leaks when LO is wearing them or are you trying to test them off of LO?

This.  And is the stink when he wets a barnyard stink or an ammonia stink? 

Wolfie615

AFwifelife said:

How do you know they are repelling? Are the inserts dry and you are getting leaks when LO is wearing them or are you trying to test them off of LO?

Both. When I test them with water they don't absorb anything and the water beads and rolls off.
The smell is a stronger pee smell. But nothing that would knock my socks off. Does that help? I'm not sure how to describe it.

CLLDLL

I agree with AFwifelife, that for pockets/stay dry testing with water and no compression is not a good indicator of repelling. 

If the inserts are dry after you've had a leak on LO and you're sure you have a good fit then it's repelling. Otherwise your leaks might be due to poor fit and are unrelated to your laundry routine.  To test for good fit, lay baby on her back and lift her legs up towards her head.  Do you see any gaps around the legs?  You shouldn't. Top of the diaper should lay a little lower than the belly button.  You should be able to comfortably fit one finger between the diaper and baby at the waist band with out extra "room".  Are you getting leaks with all your diaps or just certain brands/styles?  Maybe a certain style/brand just doesn't fit her body shape as well right now.

As far as the "strong pee smell" after she wets, that actually sounds more like mild ammonia build-up to me.  Try using just a bit less detergent or adding a second extra rinse after your wash. I also have hard water, but from what I've read it's easier to get ammonia build-up with soft water. 

 

unaveragejane

Are you making sure to do a spin after your initial rinse? This will help get the nasty water out so your detergent can really clean.

Wolfie615

Thank you all so much!