Is this a detergent issue?

MadisonMommy23

My LO stinks whenever he pees. I can always tell when he needs to be changed because of the smell. Our diaper pail also has a strong odor. Should we use more detergent? Strip them? Switch detergent? We use Arm and Hammer Free. TIA

Athena0809

It sounds to me like an ammonia issue. I'm not on to give advice because I'm battling a huge ammonia issue myself and I just posted asking for advice, so you might want to see what either you or me get in response. FWIW, arm and hammer free even if it says free, not so free. I wouldn't use it.

kattyleigh

I think yes.  Switch to a CD safe detergent and rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse.  Good luck!

lageorgiapaperie

I've seen a CD detergent list where it said absolutely NO A&H free, so I would try a different detergent. We use powdered Tide. I would probably try stripping too.

GL!

queenie521

What kind of stink?  Ammonia stink or barn yard stink?

Barnyard stink means you need more detergent, ammonia means you need to strip.  I used to use A&H free and clear and had bad stink issues and was constantly stripping. Try a more CD friendly detergent.  

MadisonMommy23

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try a different detergent.

PBear93

I found this list helpful for selecting a detergent. I think it lists more than most.  Sorry, I have a mac and can't make it clicky.

https://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm 

kaeti_su

Barnyard stink after peeing is usually caused by build-up (due to either hard water or inappropriate detergent...or not rinsing enough, I guess). Ditto PPs-- strip and try a new detergent. If it's barnyard stink straight out of the washer or dryer, you might need to use more detergent, but otherwise, don't use more detergent than you're currently using, it'll just make the build-up worse.

noryang

kaeti_su:

Barnyard stink after peeing is usually caused by build-up (due to either hard water or inappropriate detergent...or not rinsing enough, I guess). Ditto PPs-- strip and try a new detergent. If it's barnyard stink straight out of the washer or dryer, you might need to use more detergent, but otherwise, don't use more detergent than you're currently using, it'll just make the build-up worse.

I respectfully disagree. Barnyard - no matter when you get it - means the diapers weren't clean and you need more detergent.

kaeti_su

noryang:

kaeti_su:

Barnyard stink after peeing is usually caused by build-up (due to either hard water or inappropriate detergent...or not rinsing enough, I guess). Ditto PPs-- strip and try a new detergent. If it's barnyard stink straight out of the washer or dryer, you might need to use more detergent, but otherwise, don't use more detergent than you're currently using, it'll just make the build-up worse.

I respectfully disagree. Barnyard - no matter when you get it - means the diapers weren't clean and you need more detergent.

We'll have to agree to disagree. Or sort of agree. Hard water keeps the detergent from doing its job and keeps it from washing it out as well. So the detergent builds up but holds onto the bacteria-- so they smell fine out of the washer and out of the dryer, but stink when urine sort of re-activates the bacteria. Or at least that's the thinking. So yeah, they're not really getting clean, but using more detergent may not solve the problem.

A couple references:

https://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentbasics.htm#Detergent Buildup 

https://paddedtushstats.com/2012/03/06/help-my-diapers-stink-tips-resolving-whiffing-woes/

 By all means, though, I think the OP should start with stripping and go with whatever makes the most sense to her from there.