Ahhh! Black spots!

starlightstef

A few of my pocket diapers and inserts have developed black spots.  The first time I noticed them on one diaper I assumed it was just a dirt stain picked up outside during sunning.  But today I noticed several of them now have the spots and the original one that had them now has a lot more!  I'm guessing this has to be either mildew or mold, gross!

My typical wash routine is cold rinse, hot/cold wash, with two extra rinses.  Then I dry my inserts in the dryer and hang my pockets outside if it's sunny, or in an empty closet with the doors open if it's not.  Am I doing something wrong?  We live in a super dry climate so I never would have expected this to happen.  Right now I have the dipes in the wash again with 1/4 cup bleach on an extra hot wash.  Do you think I should throw everything in the dryer this time?  I know you shouldn't generally dry pul, but should I make an exception this one time?  It wouldn't damage them, would it? It's getting close to sunset, so sunning them isn't an option tonight.

ETA: Also, I store dirty diapers in a dry wet bag in a trashcan with a swinging lid and wash them EOD.

nanabanana06

Do you have any dipes with black in them? My dipes have black spots, but it's just from the wipes we use and we have a lot of black velour fitteds.

starlightstef

Nana_Osaki06:

Do you have any dipes with black in them? My dipes have black spots, but it's just from the wipes we use and we have a lot of black velour fitteds.

I only have one black kawaii pocket.  These spots don't look like color bleed to me.  They're small and dark.

nanabanana06

starlightstef:

Nana_Osaki06:

Do you have any dipes with black in them? My dipes have black spots, but it's just from the wipes we use and we have a lot of black velour fitteds.

I only have one black kawaii pocket.  These spots don't look like color bleed to me.  They're small and dark.

Huh. I've had black spots before. Doesn't always mean it's mold. 

starlightstef

Nana_Osaki06:

starlightstef:

Nana_Osaki06:

Do you have any dipes with black in them? My dipes have black spots, but it's just from the wipes we use and we have a lot of black velour fitteds.

I only have one black kawaii pocket.  These spots don't look like color bleed to me.  They're small and dark.

Huh. I've had black spots before. Doesn't always mean it's mold. 

I hope it wasn't.  I just finished the bleach cycle.  Most (not quite all) of the spots are gone.  I'm running an extra rinse just to make sure all the bleach is out and then I'll dry them as usual (dryer for inserts and hanging for pockets).  Fingers crossed this isn't a creepy mold issue!

nanabanana06

starlightstef:

Nana_Osaki06:

starlightstef:

Nana_Osaki06:

Do you have any dipes with black in them? My dipes have black spots, but it's just from the wipes we use and we have a lot of black velour fitteds.

I only have one black kawaii pocket.  These spots don't look like color bleed to me.  They're small and dark.

Huh. I've had black spots before. Doesn't always mean it's mold. 

I hope it wasn't.  I just finished the bleach cycle.  Most (not quite all) of the spots are gone.  I'm running an extra rinse just to make sure all the bleach is out and then I'll dry them as usual (dryer for inserts and hanging for pockets).  Fingers crossed this isn't a creepy mold issue!

I had mold once with DD when a dipe got misplaced. The mold was blue/green. Not black.

lbonga1

How often do you wash and what do you store the dirty dipes in? I know mold can be an issue if you go more than 3 days without washing, or if there's not enough air flow (i.e. make sure to use a pail without a lid or a wetbag that isn't closed). Other than that I'm not sure.

starlightstef

lbonga1:

How often do you wash and what do you store the dirty dipes in? I know mold can be an issue if you go more than 3 days without washing, or if there's not enough air flow (i.e. make sure to use a pail without a lid or a wetbag that isn't closed). Other than that I'm not sure.

I wash dipes every other day, without fail. And my diaper pail does have a lid, but it's an open swinging lid, so I figure there's still air flow.

starlightstef

bookitup:

I was just reading on my FB group that apparently it can also cause mold if you keep dirty diapers in the laundry room or next to a window. Not sure if you're doing either of these things but just thought I'd throw in the suggestion!

Interesting...the diaper pail is in the nursery and is somewhat close to the window, but the window is always closed.  Could this still be the problem? The spots are gone after washing them in bleach last night.  If they return, maybe I'll try moving the pail to the other side of the room.