https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:08:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1928227 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:09:50 +0000 coopsmama 1928227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boheme: I picked up Tide today! Hoping it helps. </p> <p> @sorrycharlie: Thank you for posting those helpful infographics! I really appreciate it. There are very helpful. :)</p> <p>@Skadi: @Arden: and everyone else (too many to tag!): Thank you for the input! I am going to try a variety of methods until something works because the stink has to go. I love cloth diapers but not when they immediately smell bad at the first sign of pee! </p> <p>I picked up several products tonight and have a few sitting in shopping carts online. We'll see what works. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1928215 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:53:39 +0000 JessKas 1928215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used Tide powder at first and never had any stink problems. I then switched to a more natural detergent (Charlie's) and the stink came on quick. I stripped the diapers in a manner similar to what @arden recommended (never had any machine problems with just a little dawn) and then went back to powder Tide. The stink went away and hasn't returned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1928213 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:51:08 +0000 littleblessings 1928213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had that problem but then again I handwash. I thoroughly rinse and scrub my dipes in cold water an then I let them soak overnight in detergent. So far no stinks </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927849 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 18:39:37 +0000 Zbug 1927849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just echoing the tide recommendation. We have had very few stink issues since switching. If I notice a little smell, I just add another wash cycle without detergent. What kind of diapers do you have? I definitely wouldn't use bleach if you have hybrids, but it might be worth a shot on pocket inserts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927667 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:42:58 +0000 OldEnglandMama 1927667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use the same stripping system as @Arden: , and Country Save Detergent the rest of the time. So I don't think it's the detergent alone. Maybe the combination of water type, lack of stripping and the detergent? We also have an HE front loader (GE's cheapest model from a few years ago). No stink and we're 8 months in. Maybe we're just lucky. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927644 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:35:06 +0000 swurlygurl 1927644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also use Tide Ultra and haven't had any stink issues since switching to it.<br /> Although, it's now burning DD#2's entire diaper area, who appears to have sensitive skin like her daddy, so I might be giving up :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927253 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:22:33 +0000 looch 1927253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours stunk because we had hard water and a HE front loader, so I was having trouble getting all the soap residue off. The only thing that worked was boiling, which was so gross, I had to take a break from CDing. I couldn't get the combination of water softeners and detergents to work, it was frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927238 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:17:17 +0000 blackbird 1927238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never had an issue with our diapers smelling. We use Tide Ultra powder.....but I'm wondering, at what point, they may start smelling! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927196 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:47:19 +0000 Boheme 1927196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: I love Fluff Love and CD Science! </p> <p>I definitely think Country Save could be part of your problem. We use Tide, and it's really effective! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927192 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:40:06 +0000 Arden 1927192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: Ok, well I'm glad you have a system that works for you. This works for me, very well, so I'll continue using it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927190 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:37:59 +0000 autumnlove 1927190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: nice info! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927185 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:32:57 +0000 sorrycharlie 1927185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I just started CD a little over a month ago, and I am so glad my cousin got me into that group before I even started, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927184 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:31:28 +0000 Skadi 1927184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: :heart: :heart: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927182 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:30:10 +0000 jetsa 1927182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my diapers professionally stripped. $30 and amazingly clean, I'll never go back to fighting the stink again.</p> <p>ETA: Prior to stripping I emailed cotton babies, scrubbed with dawn (but didn't put it in my washer I don't want to void my warranty), bleached, changed detergents, bought Allens stink out and RLR, washed multiple times hot/cold detergent/no detergent until I gave up </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927181 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:29:38 +0000 Lindsay05 1927181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just thoroughly cleaned my cloth. I did a cold wash no detergent. Then I did a hot wash with Calgon. Then I did a warm wash, no detergent. I THEN did a hot wash with detergent. Then lots and lots of cold rinses. I then popped them all into a hot dryer. Came out smelling SO much better. It took a better part of the weekend ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927180 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:29:07 +0000 sorrycharlie 1927180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oky doke, those are most of their images/files. LOL. but if you join the group, the admins are super helpful at troubleshooting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927176 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:21:56 +0000 Skadi 1927176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Cotton Babies says a lot of things that are just not right, IMHO. Dawn removes oils, not buildup from hard water particles, so unless the OP has been using diaper ointment with petroleum ingredients, I doubt it will solve the stink issue. From what I understand, most stink issues have to do with either having hard water or not using a powerful enough detergent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927175 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:21:50 +0000 sorrycharlie 1927175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FluffLoveCDScience/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/groups/FluffLoveCDScience/</a></p> <p>[attach=1296/14/neh48e.364x600.10577036_800493649975521_1721286440332110289_n.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=1296/14/neh49y.600x354.10703690_824709234220629_8191530974517762825_n.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=1296/14/neh4a1.600x450.10452436_800491916642361_6056832222265549349_n.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=1296/14/neh4im.508x600.10675794_822300154461537_4830969908357662762_n.jpg] </p> [attach=1296/14/neh4jw.507x600.10679934_823859817638904_2055861185803191559_o.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927172 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:20:41 +0000 avivoca 1927172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use something called squeaky pieces to strip my diapers. It works really well. It's locally made for me, but you can buy it online. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927170 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:19:28 +0000 sorrycharlie 1927170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: definitely check out fluff love. you shouldn't have to strip every few months. and def not supposed to put Dawn in your washer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927166 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:16:54 +0000 Arden 1927166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: It's not my idea, Cotton Babies recommended it for stripping diapers. The one tablespoon doesn't did enough to overflow, I've done it probably 15 times with no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927163 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:16:12 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1927163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: I would try a stronger detergent before using bleach. We use original tide as well (the powder) and I have never needed to strip our diapers. A couple times I did start to notice a faint smell, and I used a trial sized pack of rockin green. It is a little bit stronger than the Tide, and that did the trick. </p> <p>As far as the fullness of the washer, I think just making sure you have it set as if you had it 2/3 full will work. You want to make sure there is enough water in there for them to get nice and clean. You would want to determine the amount of detergent then based on the water, not the number of diapers, since if you put in too little detergent the water will dilute it too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927161 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:15:25 +0000 autumnlove 1927161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: I use an older bleach...I think they are stronger now so 1/4 is prob good!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927157 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:14:49 +0000 Skadi 1927157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: nope, it doesn't have to be all diapers! We throw baby clothes, underwear, socks, baby blankets, etcetera in there. If your diapers are coming our clean--which they should if you can nail the wash routine--it doesn't matter if you mix non-diapers in there. The only thing I would advise is not to wash towels with them because they are so heavy that they will detract from the amount of agitation the diapers get.</p> <p>I would try adjusting the routine first, then stripping if need be using RLR ($10 for a pack on Amazon). There are instructions for stripping in that FB community I listed. From what I understand, the ideal wash routine is:</p> <p>Rinse only cold (you can add up to one line Tide to get them extra clean).<br /> Whites hot, heavy soiled, extra rinse, full cap or scoop Tide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927154 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:11:11 +0000 Skadi 1927154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I would not recommend this. Dawn says on their website not to put it in washers...partly because it suds so much (especially bad for he washers) and partly because it is such a powerful degreaser, it has the potential to strip away the lubricants in the barrel of the machine and cause it to beak down. :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927152 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:09:24 +0000 coopsmama 1927152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I will try this this afternoon, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927151 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:08:25 +0000 coopsmama 1927151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: We use Country Save which is gentle, I know. So maybe that's out issue? Gentle but ineffective? </p> <p>@autumnlove: Thanks! I've only been doing 1/4 c, I'll try more.</p> <p>@Skadi: Thanks for the FB group recommendation, I'll check it out! And I'm leaning towards trying Tide. By 2/3 full do you mean 2/3 full with diapers? We have a huge washing machine and I don't have nearly enough of a stash to do that. Bummer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927146 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:02:00 +0000 Arden 1927146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They need to be stripped. I do it every couple if months. 1 tablespoon of blue dawn dish soap, 1/4 cup of bleach and a hot wash, then 3-4 rinse cycles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927144 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:01:20 +0000 Skadi 1927144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: What is your wash routine? You might want to check out Fluff Love &amp; CD Science on Facebook. They have tons of useful info in their files. </p> <p>We were having stink issues a while back. I decided to replace our natural detergent with original Tide, and I made sure the washer was always 2/3 full, and that solved our problems immediately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-rid-of-cloth-diaper-stink#post-1927142 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:01:05 +0000 autumnlove 1927142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: I think I did 1/2 cup with the highest water setting. </p>