In a nutshell, here's what you need to know:
1) Cloth diapers stink because they are still dirty.
2) Common sense rules apply.
3) Detergent matters.
If your diapers stink, try the following things, in this order. Use the diapers before assuming you need to go onto the next step.
1. Try washing again. With detergent. When your baby is a newborn, it might only take one cycle to get your cloth diapers clean. As your baby gets older, it really can take two. Once you introduce food, a baby's output changes. It just stinks more and it can be harder to get your diapers clean when it stinks more. This is a great reason to exclusively breastfeed until potty training. Kidding. But not. If you've had one go through this stage, you understand.
(remember to use your cloth diapers between each step... if they still stink, move on)
2. Evaluate the amount of detergent you are using. Microscopic amounts of detergent are not sufficient and you shouldn't be double-dipping either. Please use enough detergent. Don't over do it though. For most detergent manufacturers "enough" now is somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 of what they recommend for a FULL load of laundry. The only exception to this rule is if you're using a detergent designed for cloth diapers.
(remember to use your cloth diapers between each step... if they still stink, move on)
3. If steps 1 or 2 don't work, you may have detergent residue. Most mainstream detergents intentionally leave things in your clothes designed to make your colors look brighter, fabric softer, remove wrinkles etc. These ingredients aren't good for you, your baby and especially not for your diapers. Detergent residues cling to your fabrics and can interact with your baby's output causing negative side effects (ie: stink). To remove detergent residue, try stripping. This is simple. Use a small squirt of liquid Dawn in your washer. Wash on hot. Rinse twice. Then be sure that you are using an approved cloth diaper detergent designed not to leave residue.
(remember to use your diapers between each step... if they still stink, move on)
4. Assuming you've tried step 1, 2 & 3... and you still have stinky diapers. The last thing that causes stink is bacteria. This happens when diapers sit too long before washing. (Common sense rule: please don't leave your diapers sitting in a diaper pail for ten days. Wash frequently.) Using oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach, go ahead and sanitize your inserts. If you choose oxygen bleach, be sure you're using something that isn't loaded with additives and follow the instructions on the box. If you use chlorine bleach, 3/4 of a cup of bleach in a large wash load is what you need for a top loader. In a front loader, use 1/4 cup of bleach. Rinse well.
To prevent diaper stink, use bumGenius Odor Remover while your diapers are in the diaper pail. This is an all-natural product that actually removes the bacteria that cause odor in your diapers. wash your diapers every other day using the right detergent and plenty of water. Wash cold. Then wash hot. Open the washer and do the sniff test. If they still smell funky, wash them again.
Someday, when I'm done selling cloth diapers and I write my book, then I'll tell you how badly I treat my diapers and why I know what it takes to ruin them... and why I know exactly what won't ruin them. :) I'll also tell you the absolute craziest customer service stories we've had surrounding this topic. You. Would. Not. Believe. What. People. Call. Us. About. That has to wait for the cheeky little "tell-all" diaper book though.
While you wait on me to find time to write a book, remember that the stuff that goes in the diapers when your baby is wearing them will stink. We can't make that go away, no matter how you wash them. =-)
Have a great Saturday everybody.
Did you know? Cotton Babies carries a selection of "five star" rated cloth diaper detergents. Cotton Babies also offers free shipping on ALL detergents when you use the coupon code GOODWASH at checkout.
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