Rash and Conflicting Info

JoySeattle

We've exclusively CDed since birth, and recently got a new HE TL washer and dryer (thanks to my MIL) so we're figuring out a new routine. We use a combination of prefolds, BG 4.0 stuffed with prefolds or hemp with PUL covers, Blueberry Simplex AIO, and fitteds with wool for ON. Some diapers smell a bit like ammonia when soaked or having sat in the bag for 1.5 days, but it's not horribly strong as I've heard it can be. We wash EOD and our current routine is to sink rinse heavily pee soaked diapers (ON, naps, etc) and then pre-rise, hot wash with 1-2 Tbsp RNG, and an extra rinse. (We initially used Charlies, but I wasn't happy with it and switched to RNG which seems to be better at getting them clean including ebf stains. I've also tested our water and it's not soft or hard.) In my research, I've read conflicting info about detergent, stripping, etc.

My 3 mo son very sensitive skin and periodically has a red rash with shiny skin in the areas that the diapers touch but not in the folds. We use CJs unscented butter, CJs unscented spritz, Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm and coconut oil with many but not all changes. We do some EC (at home during the day) and try to give him some diaper free time every day.

Concerned that it could be detergent build up (if that exists) or ammonia/urea (even though we aren't having reeking ammonia diapers), I thought I'd try stripping them. I washed most of the diapers with a 1/4 cup of bleach in the washer dispenser. I also bought some RNG Funk Rock and some RLR. When I did the bleach I had to wash/rise a few times to get the strong bleach smell out of the clean diapers. I haven't done the RLR or a full soak/strip with the Funk Rock yet, but I've added the FR to the pre-rise a couple times.

I'm on the Cloth Diaper Compendium group on fb and a couple other general groups and while a lot of people love Tide/Gain, I think they're too harsh and can't do any fragrance. We don't use bleach often (we use natural cleaners and only bleach white towel loads occasionally) and we use All Free and Clear small and mighty for our non-CD/baby laundry. I have Bi-O-Kleen Bac-Out, which I used to spray on nb diapers but before but haven't really been using lately.

First question, does this rash sound ammonia related, detergent related, or just sensitivity?
And in any case, what I should do?

Do the full soak/strip with the Funk Rock?
Do the RLR in the the tub?
Do a bleach soak in the tub?
Try All F&C instead of RNG?
Change our wash routine?
Something else???

Thanks in advance!

unaveragejane

Q 1.) I vote for sensitivity and perhaps detergent build-up, but probably not ammonia. (You're doing the right things to combat ammonia IMO.)

Q 2.) Honestly, I would probably ditch the RNG. I wanted so bad to love it, but I had trouble with it. We use Tiny Bubbles now, and it's been going better for us. If you want to stick with the RNG, I would only use 1 Tbsp max for a load of 10-15 diapers. Try a warm pre-rinse if you're currently doing it on cold. Also, it may be helpful to hot water strip your diapers. Starting with clean diapers, you can either soak them in a tub of hot water or just run them through a couple of hot cycles in the machine (without soap). I've never used RLR to strip, so I can't speak to whether or not that would be helpful or necessary right now. HTH!

Danie007

I agree with @unaveragejane. If you look a few posts back someone else is having similar issues with RnG. It really is a HE detergent and a tbsp should be enough. I agree, warm pre-rinse would be a good idea too. I haven't used RLR either, but I believe it is used to strip diapers with ammonia problems. Which I don't think you are dealing with.

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JoySeattle

It's more of a general redness, slightly raised, on his lower tummy and inner thighs where the diaper touches. Not as much on his bum, although there were a few smaller patches. I think the shininess comes as it's healing.

As often as possible we let him completely air out before putting another diaper on. We use one of the moisturizers I mentioned before on all the red areas, and really slather him up before his ON diaper. I'm leaning toward thinking it's general sensitivity, but wanted to rule out wash/detergent issues.

LilMissScareAll

I would ditch the RNG, I've heard a lot of people have had problems with it.

I use Tide F&G, so if your using All F&C on evertything else with no sensitivity, I would use it on your diapers too.

My LO is really sensitive to wetness. We pat him dry every diaper change and use Butt Paste (green tube) to keep redness at bay.

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