I notice whenever I have detergent buildup in my dipes, they smell. But trying to get the right balance of enough det. to get them clean, and not too much is hard sometimes! Esp with hard water. We just got a front loader, and I was using the rest of my reg Tide in it. And no matter how little detergent I put in with the diapers, I almost always had a problem with too much suds. And they stunk. So I bought the HE (wisk btw - more loads per container)to use with the diapers (the rest of the laundry too once I'm out of the reg Tide) and they don't stink. The don't smell like anything actually - just wet fabric. I don't rinse anything, dump anything, etc. before hand either. I do a prewash (wash and drain) wash (long cycle) and extra rinse. But I love that for the first time in 4 years of cding, I haven't had a a problem at all with stinky diapers. I can even dry them all the way in the dryer now! I used to leave them just a tiny bit damp because the stink would be stronger the longer they were in the dryer! I even was washing dipes (1 or 2) with reg laundry for a while because it helped keep down the buildup.

So my thought was - if the HE detergent rinses out so much better in the front loader, why wouldn't it work well in a reg machine too? Am I thinking too much in the early morning? Or could this solve the problems of others like me that perpetually have detergent buildup causing stinky diapers?

Interesting! I have a front loader - and stinky dipes... Though I'm beginning to think I'm not using enough detergent... I use bio-kleen, so Im experimenting. I'm not sure I want to go the route of convetional (if HE) soap, but it's good to know!

I just had this discussion with some other women on another board. There are alot there that only use detergent every 5 or 6 loads. They just use baking soda otherwise. I felt like you needed to use detergent to get them clean, but they don't have this issue. Also, you only need to use about 1/4 of the amount you would for a normal wash.

Also, I've noticed that some micro fleece, if dried at too high a temp, takes on the smell of fish....permanently.

Katie

Originally posted by thrifty_sahm
I just had this discussion with some other women on another board. There are alot there that only use detergent every 5 or 6 loads. They just use baking soda otherwise. I felt like you needed to use detergent to get them clean, but they don't have this issue. Also, you only need to use about 1/4 of the amount you would for a normal wash.

I feel the same way, gotta use detergent each wash. I only use 1/4 of the normal wash amount. I also use vinegar in the rinse cycle about every 3 washes. I have not had a problem with the stink yet.

Diane

See, I was only using a tiny bit of detergent, my HE washer said to use 1/2 for reg detergent anyways, and I was filling it to maybe 1/8 of the way for the lowest line.

I use All free and clear, I use about half of the suggested amount. I occationally add Arm & Hammer and about every 6 washes I use White Vinager in the rinse (downey ball).

We always soak the diapers in cold first with no detergent

I have not had stinky diapers and I have 4 Fuzzibuns and inserts I have been using since my son was 3 months old which was about 10 months ago.

The fish smell might be caused by diaper rash cream, I read somewhere that they use cod liver oil in most diaper rash creams which will stick to the diapers.

Goodluck

Allison can i bring my dipes over cuz i cant get the stink out of them? J/k ... but i have to figure something out because i am sick of stinky dipes ...

I don't think detergent is the answer. Up to 70 years ago it wasn't an option and I'm sure mamas figured out a way to get diapers to smell nice! I use 1/4 oz. liquid laundry soap (as opposed to the ounce usually recommended) in a hot wash, sometimes I add borax, vinegar in the rinse, and occasionally (every 2 months) give them an extra hot wash with baking soda. We had stinky dipes when using too much soap, not drying them thoroughly, or letting them linger in washer or dryer. Terry cloth does seem to retain odor more, as well as fleece. Basically, nothing is ever going to beat line drying in the sun. You gotta try it. I resisted for months. When i finally started I was shocked by how darn clean and sweet everything got!!! Leave it to nature to get it right.

Oh, thanks for the post. I have been using Tide free and we have hard water with the understanding that Tide powder is most efficient at getting clothes clean with hard water. I have a real stink problem with stuff. I think I'll change detergent and see if it helps. Anyone want to give me advice on what to do about birds hanging out on the clothes line? Nothing stains forever like bird poop and I just can't stand having to wash the clothes again because of the darn birds. An owl statue maybe?

I have to disagree about mamas getting their dipes fresh smelling in the past w/out extras. I know my mom and her mom used bleach with every dipe load and prior to that I don't think people worried so much about stinkiness. We are so hyped on hygeine nowadays.