[*~~Shannon~~*]

I just joined DS, mostly just to get access to the FSOT boards over there, but I needed to get my post count up, so I started a thread asking about stinky diapers. My diapers have always had a hint of stink right out of the dryer (while still warm). They don't smell at all other than that, so I don't stress it much, but I'd love to figure it out.

Here's the details I gave them:

Here's the stats:
Stash is a mix of pockets w/ MF inserts, PFs, PUL covers and fleece.
Generally 15-20 diapers per load.
Poo diapers are handled with the Dunk and Swish method.
Ancient TLer about half full of diapers, water level set at Large.
Borderline soft water (technically soft, but right under the line for moderate)
Washer's only rinse option is cold.

Current wash routine:
Short warm wash with 1/4 cup baking soda
Long hot wash with Tide (to the 1 line) and a Downy ball filled with vinegar)
Short warm wash with no additives.

The only suggestion I've been given is to add 3/4 cup of bleach to every load. First of all, that seems like a lot of bleach. Second, some of my covers and fitteds have cotton flannel. That would mean I'd have to do separate loads and that's just not my style. Third, I was under the impression that soft water and bleach would be a bad combination; is that wrong?

Thoughts?

[somo_chickenlady]

I would actually remove the vinegar before trying bleach. I've heard that vinegar in diapers can lead to stink issues for some people. I use it on my clothes without a problem, but I don't pee and poo on my clothes.

Also, as long as it doesn't give you too much issue with suds, I would try going up to the 2nd line with your detergent. Perhaps you aren't using enough?

Otherwise you seem to be doing everything right. I would be hesitant to use bleach unless I absolutely had to (meaning nothing else I've tried has worked).

[Gaby&Emmy'sMama]

I'm wondering about the extra detergent as well... I pretty much use double what I should, BUT I have no issues with stinks, and haven't had any issues with the detergent not all getting rinsed out (sorry, total mind blank, I cannot think what it's called)!.

A lot of people DO use bleach, but I don't know about using it on EVERY load, that does seem a bit OTT to *me*

[shen7]

Softer water means you should be able to go gentle and use less detergent/additives.

If your only issue is a very mild smell, I would try adding Bac-out somewhere in the mix. Either spray it on the poopy ones or in the pail, or add to the prewash. I would start with 5-10 sprays per load or about a tsp. A little goes a long way but it helps SO much with odor!!!

[SuJo]

I'd avoid the bleach. Once a month would be ok but I would not do it every wash! Have you added detergent to the first warm wash? That makes a difference for us. I use Nelly's and add a scoop to the first rinse and a scoop in the first wash, I've always gone back to it because it's the washing directions on the elementals and it does seem to help.

[lrowe70]

Ditto the suggestion to forego the vinegar.
The only time I had stink issues with diapers was when I tried vinegar. Took a few washes to get it all out, but haven't had a problem since.

[Irishgirl]

I've used bleach twice, once to help with stink issues (but switching to Tide was the ultimate solution) and once because it seemed Susie had a bacterial diaper rash (the doc prescribed an antibacterial cream and it helped). Each time I used 1/4 cup bleach, in a top-loader with 15-20 diapers at high water level.

I didn't do separate loads and I didn't notice any fading. I'm not sure if it's because I added the bleach to the water when the water was high, so it wasn't directly touching any diapers, or because it was a small amount of bleach in a large amount of water. I'm also of the mind that these are things that meant to be peed and pooped in and I intend to have more children to use any diapers that are still usable after Susie is done, so I'm not worried about resale. All that to say that I will use a small amount of bleach occasionally, but if your concerns are different than you might not want to.

[*~~Shannon~~*]

I dont mind trying a little bleach if that will help, but their suggestion of so much bleach on a regular basis kind of surprised me. I had more stinks before adding the vinegar, but at the time I added I was just using cold rinses rather than the short warm washes.

When should I add the bleach? First short warm wash or in detergent wash?

[shen7]

Adding it to either prewash or main wash would be fine I think. You can always use less at first and see if it's enough.

[acupofjoe]

the only time i use bleach is if i need to get rid of yeast in the diapers. sorry i am not much help!