Don't know what to do...

emandjp

Hi ladies! I'm in need of some help, BIG TIME! Our stash is BG Freetimes and we loved them until they got a serious case of ammonia build up which we can't get rid of (I spoke with other CD moms in my county and they all have the same problem because our water is SO SO hard)! AND now they seem to not fit her legs as well, if she his on her back and has her legs to the side, she leaks around her leg. I'm just about ready to throw these darn things away and start over (which would be sad) but I don't know what else to do. You ladies helped me with my night time diapering dilemma so I am hoping you'll have some suggestions for this problem.

Thank you!

 ETA: I just tested them and they are REPELLING liquid. Like, it's literally just sitting on top of the diaper!

tjkdlhb

What's your wash routine? front loader/top loader? how much detergent?what type? rinses? water temp?

I don't know much about troubleshooting hard water... but it sounds like you're going to need to do a blue dawn strip to get rid of the build up.  I think maybe someone else can recommend a water softener (or maybe baking soda?!?) to help with the hard water after that.

For a blue dawn strip, start with already washed diapers. Add a squirt of blue dawn to the wash, long hot wash, then rinse, rinse, rinse rinse as many as it takes to get rid of any bubbles.

(I'd also consider doing a wash with 1/4 cup bleach to a wash beforehand and then adding some TTO and GFSE... it may be overkill, but that's what I've done and it seemed to work, though my issue was recurrant rash more so than ammonia...I just consider it a "reset" for diapers)

FWIW, I find it easier to keep prefolds and covers clean (now that I've switched to a front loader) We do still use the pockets and AIOs as well though.

emandjp

tjkdlhb:

What's your wash routine? front loader/top loader? how much detergent?what type? rinses? water temp?

I don't know much about troubleshooting hard water... but it sounds like you're going to need to do a blue dawn strip to get rid of the build up.  I think maybe someone else can recommend a water softener (or maybe baking soda?!?) to help with the hard water after that.

For a blue dawn strip, start with already washed diapers. Add a squirt of blue dawn to the wash, long hot wash, then rinse, rinse, rinse rinse as many as it takes to get rid of any bubbles.

(I'd also consider doing a wash with 1/4 cup bleach to a wash beforehand and then adding some TTO and GFSE... it may be overkill, but that's what I've done and it seemed to work, though my issue was recurrant rash more so than ammonia...I just consider it a "reset" for diapers)

FWIW, I find it easier to keep prefolds and covers clean (now that I've switched to a front loader) We do still use the pockets and AIOs as well though.

Wash routine is:

Top Loader, cold rinse (sometimes warm depending), hot/cold wash with 1-2 tbsp of Lulu's Glamourwash, which is made specifically for hard water (I used to use Rockin' Green but had bad build up with it) and one more cold rinse, then a hot/cold cycle without detergent. I add bleach every so often, twice a month usually.

Was thinking of adding some Calgon to try to help the detergent do it's job. Forgive me, but what is TTO and GFSE?

I've done Dawn strips but I'm not sure if I'm adding enough Dawn. Should it be sudsy when it's agitating, before the rinse? Because it never seems to be.

CLLDLL

A couple things:

1.) When you say they are repelling water, how did you test this? Some diapers/materials need pressure (from baby's butt etc.) to absorb water. So just dumping water on top is not a good way to test if they are repelling. The real test is when your leaks are occuring. If they happen pretty much immediately when baby pees (so within 30 minutes of putting on a fresh diaper) then it's probably repelling.

2.) I agree with PP that you should probably do a stip of some kind. Lots of ladies swear by blue dawn, but beware if you have a FL. Putting blue dawn in your FL washer will likely void your warranty. If you want to strip with blue dawn, but not void your warranty head to a friend/family member's house with a TL or try the laudry mat.

3.) Other stripping options: Follow PP's advice but use 1/2 cap of Calgon or 1-2 TBSP of washing soda instead of blue dawn. Rinse, rinse, rinse in hot water. (Not santiary, but the next hottest cycle.) Or you can try the 1/4 cup bleach with Tea Tree Oil (TTO) and Grapefruit Seed Extract (GFSE) followed by rinsing.

4.) For hard water, once you get your diapers stripped, consider using a detergent specifically made for hard water. Some good ones are Tiny Bubbles and Lulus in the Fluff for Hard Water. I use Lulus and then I also add 1/2 TBSP of washing soda right in with my detergent during each wash. This softens your water to allow the detergetn to clean. I also recommend making sure you do at least two rinses after your wash if you aren't doing that already. Also, don't be shocked if you still have to strip every few months. I do mine every 2-3 months.

emandjp

CLLDLL:

A couple things:

1.) When you say they are repelling water, how did you test this? Some diapers/materials need pressure (from baby's butt etc.) to absorb water. So just dumping water on top is not a good way to test if they are repelling. The real test is when your leaks are occuring. If they happen pretty much immediately when baby pees (so within 30 minutes of putting on a fresh diaper) then it's probably repelling.

2.) I agree with PP that you should probably do a stip of some kind. Lots of ladies swear by blue dawn, but beware if you have a FL. Putting blue dawn in your FL washer will likely void your warranty. If you want to strip with blue dawn, but not void your warranty head to a friend/family member's house with a TL or try the laudry mat.

3.) Other stripping options: Follow PP's advice but use 1/2 cap of Calgon or 1-2 TBSP of washing soda instead of blue dawn. Rinse, rinse, rinse in hot water. (Not santiary, but the next hottest cycle.) Or you can try the 1/4 cup bleach with Tea Tree Oil (TTO) and Grapefruit Seed Extract (GFSE) followed by rinsing.

4.) For hard water, once you get your diapers stripped, consider using a detergent specifically made for hard water. Some good ones are Tiny Bubbles and Lulus in the Fluff for Hard Water. I use Lulus and then I also add 1/2 TBSP of washing soda right in with my detergent during each wash. This softens your water to allow the detergetn to clean. I also recommend making sure you do at least two rinses after your wash if you aren't doing that already. Also, don't be shocked if you still have to strip every few months. I do mine every 2-3 months.

It's happening right when she pees.

Thank you for the explanation of the TTO and GFSE, I was trying to figure that out! ha! Where can I get them? And also washing soda?

Thank you SO much!

alitria

Since you mention you have hard water, I strongly recommend you get some RLR and use that to strip your diapers.  You can google RLR and find places that sell it.  It's easier, IMO, that trying to figure out how much dawn is the right amount and worrying about warranties.