rash only with cloth diaper

slepert

Here is the story. We use cloth diapers and regular diapers when busy. Over easter Little girl was in regular diapers for a few days. When we put her back into cloth diapers her rash came back. I wash her diapers on heavy duty cycle with bleach every time. found out if we didnt use the bleach they smelt really bad. They dont smell the best now but its bearable. Are we washing the diapers wrong? how can I fix the diapers so they stop giving her a rash?

Into+the+Kitty

Stop using bleach every wash.

What detergent are you using and how much?

Give us your detailed wash routine.

Chichigo

Can you tell us more about your wash routine? You shouldn't need to use bleach that often.

Rrrrrachel

Yeah they're not getting clean.

slepert

we use Boulder liquid laundry detergent 100% natural. Heavy duty wash with and pre-soak and an extra rinse. we have an HE washer so we put in detergent to level 1. and add the bleach. Could it be Ammonia Burn?

Mandmeesh

It's not ammonia burn. It's bleach burn

Into+the+Kitty

Ok, one I'd switch from liquid.

Two, I would probably do several hot water strips with no detergent (just a hot water cycle) on your diapers. You probably have a shit ton of bleach residue built up on your diapers.

A normal routine looks something like: a cold rinse (with spin) to get the pee water out, then a hot wash with a CD friendly detergent (I like Nellies or Tiny Bubbles) with the cold rinse, followed by an additional cold rinse. You should not be bleaching more than once a month using 1/4 cup of bleach, and even then you have to rinse, rinse, rinse the diapers afterwards.

Mandmeesh

Agree with ITK

Chichigo

Liquid detergent isn't recommended for cloth. If you don't want to buy a CD specific detergent and don't want to use Tide (not officially CD safe but commonly used), you can try soap nuts.

It could be ammonia burn. I got rid of ammonia buy soaking in hot water with a little detergent for 4 hours, then rinsing three or four times.

slepert

oh gosh. its been almost 10 months we are just now having this problem

blondolphn

Who recommended that detergent to you? Liquids are never recommended.

https://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/Articles.asp?ID=263

That link gives you the recommended detergents for cloth diapers.

I would recommend doing like 5 hot washes and doing a hot water strip to get everything out of the diapers. Then start with a cloth diaper safe detergent, do a warm rinse. Hot was with a small amount of detergent (varies upon water type), and at least one rinse. Do not use bleach every wash. If they are stinky after the wash, add a bit more detergent.

Into+the+Kitty

slepert said:

oh gosh. its been almost 10 months we are just now having this problem

Well, I don't know what to tell you other than that you've been lucky to not run into more severe issues faster.

Also, disposable diapers =/= 'regular' diapers any more than CDs = irregular diapers.

LatteLady5

Into+the+Kitty said:

Ok, one I'd switch from liquid.

Two, I would probably do several hot water strips with no detergent (just a hot water cycle) on your diapers. You probably have a shit ton of bleach residue built up on your diapers.

A normal routine looks something like: a cold rinse (with spin) to get the pee water out, then a hot wash with a CD friendly detergent (I like Nellies or Tiny Bubbles) with the cold rinse, followed by an additional cold rinse. You should not be bleaching more than once a month using 1/4 cup of bleach, and even then you have to rinse, rinse, rinse the diapers afterwards.

All of this exactly. I've only ever used bleach on new to me diapers.

mrshudson618

On the off chance that is isn't the bleach chance that is burning your daughter, it is still your wash routine that is the problem. Smell tells you that they are not getting clean, period, and that you need to fix the wash routine. Adding bleach does not actually clean them more just disinfects. There is still poop and urine residue on your diapers, just disinfected residue. There is also detergent residue, which builds up over time, and can be what is causing your diapers to not come clean.
So you have 4 different types of residue on your diapers: bleach, detergent, poop, and pee. All of these build up and get worse over time, and any one of them, or all four, could be causig the rash.
Like PPs said, the only thing you can do now is to do a hot water strip, I would wash a minimum of 5 times without detergent.
Then start over using a different detergent. The FIRST time they come out of the wash and smell, troubleshoot and figure out why and fix it then.

monikaasharma

SPAMALAMA!

Unknown

This content has been removed.

mrshudson618

.

You guys, we have been doing it wrong all along! Why bother fixing a wash problem when we could just use diaper cream?! I think I will buy some random rash cream and stop washing all together!

slepert

thanks ladies so very much. my husband is home today and i will relay all the info to him so that he can get the diapers stripped. - what is the best way to do that? is this okay to do?>

1.1 COLD wash, NO detergent

2.1 HOT wash + extra rinse WITH detergent

3.1 HOT wash + extra rinse + 1/4 cup bleach

4.1 HOT wash + extra rinse and 1/4- 1/2 cup baking soda

5.1 HOT wash, NO detergent

6.1 HOT wash, NO detergent

jcwinsto

If you have dirty and clean diapers that you are stripping then:

Cold wash or rinse, no detergent

Hot wash with your new detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

If all the diapers are "clean" as in not currently soiled then:

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Hot wash no detergent

Don't bleach any more.  No need to do the RLR/washing soda strip *yet*.  At this point you can try using them again *if* they don't smell anymore straight out of the wash.  If they still smell after all the hot washes then come back and start a new post with info about the smell.  If you use them the first time and you immediatly get a rash or smell come back and start a new post with info about the rash or smell.  It may take a few different techniques to get the diapers back in good shape and these ladies are all very good about helping with each issue.  The only problem is that we don't know all the issues so we will have to trouble shoot each one as you have it.

zaraceligon

All what I can tell you is the you don't need to use bleach and the baking soda. You need to get rid of the bleach and the soap build up from your diapers.if you add the baking soda it made make the issue worse.

jcwinsto

It won't let me edit so I'll just add here.

Get a new detergent! That is probably one of your main problems with the smell!

Don't bleach any more!  That is probably causing your rash!

jcwinsto

Whoops, sorry.  I didn't mean to yell.

mrshudson618

slepert said:

thanks ladies so very much. my husband is home today and i will relay all the info to him so that he can get the diapers stripped. - what is the best way to do that? is this okay to do?>

1.1 COLD wash, NO detergent

2.1 HOT wash + extra rinse WITH detergent

3.1 HOT wash + extra rinse + 1/4 cup bleach

4.1 HOT wash + extra rinse and 1/4- 1/2 cup baking soda

5.1 HOT wash, NO detergent

6.1 HOT wash, NO detergent

No. No bleach, no baking soda. 

If you have dirties:

 1. cold rinse(or wash), hot wash with a CD safe detergent, NOT what you have been using. 

2. all diapers : hot wash

3. Hot wash

4. hot wash

5. hot wash

6. hot wash.

nanabanana06

Ok, I edited all the unneeded spam.

OP, stop with the bleach. I'm a bleach fan, but I use it once per month... maybe. Hot wash with no detergent a few times and change your wash routine and detergent. Your problem should be fixed.

blondolphn

Hot wash like a maniac. Also, what is your plan for a NEW detergent?

slepert

what is the best most cost effiecent detergent?

Into+the+Kitty

mrshudson618

slepert said:

what is the best most cost effiecent detergent?

https://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/Articles.asp?ID=263

This link is a good place to start. 

Although, some caveats to the chart: lot of us use and like original tide with no problems, and Rockin Green is notorious for causing problems, i.e. not actually getting the diapers clean. 

blondolphn

If you go with Tide, it must be the powder.  Start with a small amount

freezorburn

Basic criteria from the Real Diaper Association website: 

• Detergent should be fragrance- and color-free with no optical brighteners or fabric softeners.
  
• Use additional detergent if you have hard water.
  
• Use enough detergent to clean a load of dirty laundry but not too much.
  

Also, stay away from any detergent that calls itself "Free and Clear." Those tend to cause problems too. And, be wary of detergents containing enzymes. Many babies don't have issues with them, but since you are already dealing with a skin issue I would try to avoid these.