Ammonia!

MayumiMom

Oh my goodness! At first I thought the diaper pail just smelt like we diapers but as time has gone on, the smell has definately stepped it up a notch. I usually wash every other day (no cloth at daycare yet) but still the smell of ammonia when I open the diaper pail lid is enough to bring me to my knees. I have been sprinkling baking soda over them but it is not helping. Any suggestions?

heidi_19

I recently had the same problem. After many failed attempts I finally found a solution! Soaking the diapers in vinegar before washing. A lot of vinegar. I turned the washing machine on a cold prewash cycle and poured in 4 gallons of distilled white vinegar. I left the lid up so they could soak-- probably like a half hour to an hour. Then I did my usual wash routine. Lucky for me my wash is outside so I didn't have to deal with the stink, but the outcome would have been worth it either way. My diapers no longer smell the second they are soiled!!!

autumnbeck

Vinegar is awesome as long as you don't have hard water! Also, you don't want to do it often as vinegar will break down the elastic.

Other options are RLR or Funk Rock soaks plus rinsing them before they go in the wetbag helps.

MayumiMom

I have hard water so I think the vinegar is out:( Is it common for them to stink like that when they are so new? I usually rinsing out the poopy ones before putting them in the pail but not the pee ones and I have noticed that the fitted after the overnight are the potent ones. I have ordered some Funk Rock though to try that out. I think the ammonia is contributing to her diaper rash because it seems that everytime she poops & pees she is immediately crying because her skin is burning.

Venusjems

i had that problem. I just started rinsing them alllllllll. Now my bucket has minimal smell. The night time ones are the worst!

autumnbeck

since you have been using vinegar with hard water you have some serious buildup going on (most likely) a good soak will break that down.

DaniPanda

Try writting to RnG, they helped me with a sample and deep cleaning routine that "cured" my diapers. The funk rock is keeping the ammonia at bay after that.

MayumiMom

Autumn, I have not been using vinegar, that was just a suggestion that was mentioned. I received my Funk Rock and will try it with the next wash. Venusjems you are right, the night time diapers ARE the worst!

DaniPanda

Here is the info I got from RnG for ammonia issues:
-soak 12-15 of your diapers in hot water with 2Tbsp of detergent for several hours.
-complete a full regular wash routine (cold wash cycle, hot wash cycle, 1-2 final cold rinses) but do not add any detergent to any of these cycles.
-soak your diapers for one hour with 2-3Tbsp of the Funk Rock in hot water between 130-150 degrees. Do not soak longer than one hour.
-complete a full regular wash routine: cold wash cycle, hot wash cycle with 1Tbsp of detergent, and 1-2 final cold rinses.
-dry your diapers like normal.

This extensive routine is designed to deeply clean your diapers and rid them of build up. Normally you will just have to do an initial cold wash cycle, a hot wash cycle with 1Tbsp of detergent, and 1-2 final cold rinses. You can add 1Tbsp of Funk Rock to your initial cold wash cycle as needed to help keep the ammonia at bay.

DaniPanda

I forgot to mention it is for a HE front Loader

MayumiMom

Thanks Daniela, I read something like that on the back of the Funk Rock I recently received. I think I am going to have to try that...fingers crossed it works!

heidi_19

Thanks for the heads that vinegar will weaken elastic! Good to know :) Is ammonia an issue that will continue to be a problem as long as I use cloth? So far my trick of a long vinegar soak has worked, much-much better than my previous attempts. I actually have hard water.... what kind of problems does the vinegar and hard water combo create? Do you think there is a connection to ammonia build up and using a diaper bin vs a diaper soaking pail?
Thanks!!

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