troubleshoot my stink

TugboatSheila

I haven't been on for awhile, so sorry that my first post since Felix was born is a plea for help.

So far CDing has been awesome but I think I might be developing some stink issues.

We have hard water, I wash with Nellie's (a scoop to a scoop and a half with my washer set to medium load), usually 20 ish diapers in a load plus cloth wipes, wash routine is cold rinse, hot wash with detergent and cold rinse. Dry prefolds, wipes and GMD but everything else gets hung.

Diapers do not smell coming out of the wash or out of the dryer/after being line dried but they stink realllllly bad once they've been OTB for any amount of time. Even if I change and it is dry the cover and diaper will smell horrible. I don't know if it is ammonia or barnyard smell but it is awful.

km_md

Is it a chemical type smell or an organic type of smell? Knowing the type of smell will help with how to proceed. Whether it is ammonia build up or not getting clean enough, or something else.

TJ1979

Yeah, we need to know what the smell is like.  Anyone have smell-o-vision? 

TJ1979

Also, on the pc, your screen name comes up as browneyedtorn and the rest is cut off.  I'm really sorry about your brown eye.  That sounds painful.

freezorburn

Are you using anything for a water softener?

Into+the+Kitty

I'm stuck on the fact that they smell fine after being dried, but stink on your kid's butt even if he doesn't pee or poop in it. Is your kid like super gassy or something? That's bizarre.

TugboatSheila

It is definitely not a natural smell. I mean it is strong enough to cover his poop smell.

He is definitely a gassy guy, it wouldn't be surprising if he was hotboxing his butt and any sweat or dribble could bring out the stench.

We aren't using anything for hard water but our water is reaalllllly hard. What would you suggest?

I will also try a more heavy duty pre rinse cycle.

I think that was all the questions!

TJ1979

browneyedtornado said:

It is definitely not a natural smell. I mean it is strong enough to cover his poop smell. He is definitely a gassy guy, it wouldn't be surprising if he was hotboxing his butt and any sweat or dribble could bring out the stench. We aren't using anything for hard water but our water is reaalllllly hard. What would you suggest? I will also try a more heavy duty pre rinse cycle. I think that was all the questions!

Oh. Em. Gee. 

freezorburn

We had signs of hard water buildup within a week or two of starting diaper laundry in our current home, and it was like OP describes. Smelled okay coming out of laundry, ammonia smell as soon as baby peed in them. Warm pre-rinse and Calgon fixed it.

owlcup

Are you using enough water? I had stink issues right away and figured out I wasn't using enough water. I use a top loader machine and was using the medium setting for 15-20 diapers. I have to use the large setting now and haven't had stink issues since.

I also have hard water and am using Tide to the first line.

TugboatSheila

OK thanks guys I will try the calgon, more water and a warm pre cycle.

Fingers crossed!

TugboatSheila

Oh also, how much Calgon and do I add it with my detergent wash?

freezorburn

I get Calgon in tablets. I add one tablet to my prewash and one to my main wash cycle. If you have the powdered form, are there instructions on the box that say how much to add per load?

unaveragejane

I can only find the liquid. I add half a capful (maybe overkill) split bn the bleach and softener compartments.

TugboatSheila

Yeah we only have the liquid! I have the diapers in the wash right now trying out the changes you all suggested.

Fingers crossed it takes care of the stink.