Help with stink

momofmanyinthemitten

I just stripped all my CDs with RLR and they're still smelling like ammonia as soon as she pees. My ON fitteds have been smelling for a while, along with my pockets, but now, after stripping, my prefolds do too. They smell fine coming out of the wash. I use Charlie's or RnG and I just started adding washing soda as a water softener since we have old pipes with mineral deposits in them (it's on our to do list). Any recommendations? I'm thinking several hot water washes are next, but if that doesn't work?

Rrrrrachel

Do a couple of washes with a double dose of Charlie's.

Rrrrrachel

And think about using Charlie's booster. I get it on amazon.

freezorburn

What is your regular wash routine?

Do you soak your ON fitteds?

Are you using the same detergents for your non-daiper laundry?

Is it possible there is buildup in your machine that is redepositing on your diapers? It's a good idea to clean your washing machine periodically.

Also, here's an article about laundry additives. 

https://laundry.about.com/u/sty/laundryproblems/Your-Laundry-Questions-And-Answers/Laundry-Additives-and-Hard-Water.htm

The important point to get from this is that it's possible that, while your diapers may be getting clean with washing soda, since the minerals precipitate out, they could still be depositing on your diapers. Calgon is a better choice because it binds the minerals in solution and they get rinsed away. 

ETA: or Charlie's booster in your case, since it's formulated to work with Charlie's. But I have no personal experience with it.

momofmanyinthemitten

I do regularly clean my washing machine, so I don't think that's the issue. I use All Free & Clear for other laundry. I do a soak cycle in my FL, hot wash, extra rinse for all my CD stuff. I will give calgon a try, as well as the charlies booster. Thank you amazon! It's frustrating having a huge stash left over from DD1 (in another house) that I just can't use.

momofmanyinthemitten

Do I need to add the calgon to my soak AND wash routine or just the wash?

Rrrrrachel

So with Charlie's it's supposed to be all or nothing. If you use it on only some of your wash it can redeposit residue onto your diapers. I'll bet that's what's going on here. If you don't want to switch to Charlie's for everything maybe try something like tiny bubbles, nellies, or country save. They all seem to get pretty good reviews.

freezorburn

^WSS. Also, just double-checking, because it's a bit unclear: are you spinning out that initial soak?

momofmanyinthemitten

Not spinning the soak so I have extra water for the wash.

momofmanyinthemitten

Rrrrrachel said:

So with Charlie's it's supposed to be all or nothing. If you use it on only some of your wash it can redeposit residue onto your diapers. I'll bet that's what's going on here. If you don't want to switch to Charlie's for everything maybe try something like tiny bubbles, nellies, or country save. They all seem to get pretty good reviews.

So it's picking up residue from the All and getting it on my diapers? This is all so confusing! It seemed so much easier when I did this 4 years ago. Will the Rockin Green do the same thing? I think I still have some of that. Wouldn't the RLR strip have taken care of any residue left over from using both Charlies and All?

Rrrrrachel

You need to spin the soak. Otherwise you're washing in I dirty water. You need to spin the pee and poop away before you wash. Charlies is the only detergent I know of that says you should use it on everything if you use it at all. Some people get away with switching back and forth but since you're having issues I would look at that area. Rock n green seems like it causes a lot of stink issues but I've never personally used it.

momofmanyinthemitten

Thank you!

emmylou78

RLR is for mineral deposits, which can trap ammonia. Maybe try bleaching too, to kill any bacteria trapped from the hard water. You can do it in the bathtub or TL washer. 1/2 cup disinfecting bleach in half bathtub of cold water for 30 min, or 1/3 cup in your washer. Make sure its plain disinfecting bleach! I had splash less bleach, and didn't realize until later it says "not for disinfecting" on it.