Recurrent ammonia burns!

Ceci131

We just can't get rid of whatever is causing ammonia burns! I do a recommended wash, most times use white vinegar in the rinse. Did a hot water strip. That didn't do the trick. Just did a blue dawn strip. She's only been back in cloth since 8 this morning and is already red!

We don't use cloth at DD's new daycare, so are only PT in her dipes but I'm not ready to give up since I'm now pregnant and plan on cloth diapering #2. 

Any suggestions to fix this problem??? Please help! DH is at his limit with DD getting burns/rashes. 

Thanks!

Ceci131

For wash, prewash: rinse & spin with extra wather; then cycle cotton wash, extra water, extra rinse; then rinse & spin. Use Charlies soap.

Use exclusively pockets (BG & FB), change at least every 2 hrs. She's pretty good at signing when she feels wet. The rash only responds to zinc type oinments. Pediatrician confirms it is ammonia (difuse redness, followed by blisters)

 I'm thinking maybe ordering Bac Out would be the next step.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

sbevmc09

You might try switching detergents.  As PP said, some babies actually have a reaction to Charlie's.  In addition to that you might just be getting to the point where you need something different.  I know we used a more natural/gentle/CD-friendly detergent for the first year and then we started getting all sorts of trouble including ammonia and had to switch to something else.  We use All free & clear powder now.  Something to consider.

The other thing, I experimented with lots of stripping methods to make sure the diapers were getting really clean.  The only thing that really worked for the ammonia was bleach in the wash.  1/4 c. in the hot wash.  However, until we fixed the problem with our wash routine I had to bleach really often, which I didn't like.  Once we fixed the wash routine I only bleach when I start noticing any hint of ammonia in DS's overnight diapers and that's maybe 2x per year.  

I haven't tried the aquarium stuff like PP mentioned or sport wash, both of which I've seen recommended.

I hope you're able to fix the problem, I know how frustrating it can be!  Hang in there.

dairygirl19

I'd try changing detergents.

I had ammonia once and the only thing that killed it was bleach. It's all I will use now if I have to strip. It's so much easier than all the other processes.

My pedi also told me once that if you can line dry in the sun do it. Apparently the sun breaks up the ammonia crystals. I don't know if it's true or not but I've line dried since spring because the weather's been great for it and haven't had an issue.