Hi mamas! I'm new here, so bear with me. My disclaimer is that we're pretty crunchy, and I'm getting worn out. :(

My hemp dipes smell so much like ammonia that I get an instant headache. It's nauseating. They aren't sitting for more than a day. Here's my wash routine:

Prewash in hot w/ 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 drops TTO
Wash in hot w/ 1/2 cap Sportswash
Rinse in cold 2 times
Dry in dryer on high heat for 2 cycles

I've tried stripping them several times with no soap for up to 4 cycles (prewash, wash, 2 rinses each).

As for my laundry, I can't get out strong smells or grease. I use Sun & Earth Detergent, or occasionally Sportswash when I run out.

Please help! I don't want to go back to a nasty laundry detergent!!!

Couple of things...

First, do you have a front-loader or a top-loader? Front-loaders seem to be notorious for not getting dipes completely smell-free. Something about there not being enough water moving through the diaper fabric to really get all the stink out. It is ironic, since front-loaders are supposed to clean better, but apparently they don't with diapers.

Second, do you know the Ph of your water? If your water is already basic, then adding baking soda will do nothing and may make it worse. Maybe you need vinegar instead. Laundry Ph should be somewhere around 7.5 I believe. Less means it is acidic, more means it is basic. You can use the water test strips you would use for a swimming pool. Test your water as it comes into your washer, and then test it once you've added whatever you add and compare the numbers. Then adjust as needed.

Third, how many cycles are you doing? It sounds like you're only doing one with a prewash. I have to do three cycles (all with prewash) :rolleyes: in my front-loader (Maytag Neptune) to get my diapers smelling okay. Here is my routine:

- First cycle: cold water, longest cycle with prewash and stain cycle, extra rinse, nothing added

- Second cycle: hot water, longest cycle with prewash and stain cycle, extra rinse, small amount of detergent with a squirt of grapefruit seed extract, small swig of water softener/laundry booster, generous squirt of Bac-Out in the rinse (then I try to let them sit for long enough for the Bac-Out to really work on them before I do the third cycle

- Third cycle: remove anything that is not cotton or hemp (nylon bags and covers) then wash on hot water, longest cycle with prewash and stain cycle, extra rinse, two scoops of Oxy-Clean, vinegar in the first rinse (I have basic water)

I also dry for two cycles. If you have the option of sunning your diapers outside, that might help. I find the GSE works great to keep the stink issue down, and it was all we needed in our old house, but here we need more.

Finally, are you overstuffing your washer? I have two in diapers and even though I wash diapers every day I still have to be careful not to overload.

I hope something there is helpful. I struggle with this, too, and although my routine is intense it is WORKING and that is what matters to me. Good luck.

oy. detergent versus use of tons of clean water. Here, in a dry state- I'd vote for stronger detergent.

ari

amanda-interesting info!

also-if hemp dipes don't have snaps-then you can boil them on the stove once in a while...that will help strip them...and could shorten a wash routine

for grease stains-do you mean oil from food or car grease?

for oil from food eucalyptus essential oil dropped on the stain let it sit just a bit-then wash-works like magic!!!

(here they sell it in a spray can-lol!)

for car grease-orange cleaner-like citra solve will get it out. you may have to use a toothbrush=gently also-but it will work.

hth!!!
nak............

ps-for smells sun works best
-imo
linda

I had this problem, only we have been out of dipes for a yr and a half and it was my regular laundry that stank! :eek: I have a 2.5 year old front loader, and recently I read that a front loader should be stripped every month. You run a cycle with nothing in the washer, just HOT water (you may even need to turn up your water heater to do this, I didn't) and a cup and a half of vinegar added where the detergent normally goes. I did THREE cycles like this and was still getting nasty sudsy water. Apparently a lot of gunk and leftover detergent builds up below the drum of front loaders.
Good luck! :thumbsup:

It was the sportswash. Even though we only used 1/2 cap per load, it still caused build-up. :( It took 7 FULL CYCLES to get out the bubbles & soap scum. Now if I could only get my hands on some Bi-o-kleen.

Originally posted by Lydiasmomma
I had this problem, only we have been out of dipes for a yr and a half and it was my regular laundry that stank! :eek: I have a 2.5 year old front loader, and recently I read that a front loader should be stripped every month. You run a cycle with nothing in the washer, just HOT water (you may even need to turn up your water heater to do this, I didn't) and a cup and a half of vinegar added where the detergent normally goes. I did THREE cycles like this and was still getting nasty sudsy water. Apparently a lot of gunk and leftover detergent builds up below the drum of front loaders.
Good luck! :thumbsup:

eeewwwwwww!

good to know-thanks for posting.

and wow on the sports wash! Glad you solved the prob : ) Bio Kleen has been my personal fave-and worked really well with my front loader in the states.

Glad you solved the prob. I think I am going to go next door to our Chemistry Professor neighbor and ask him how I can get the cleanest most efficient wash...he will probably LAUGH at me : )

linda, i would LOVE to meet your neighbor, lol! i have been making laundry soap for a long time now but i just can't compete with the prices of the big brands. i listed 2 dozen top loader tablets at midday faire for $20 and did not sell a single set.

i did have front loader users test them recently but i haven't heard back from most yet.

--i have to adjust our ph in the final rinse of the diapers to keep one of my babies rash free.

laundry is a strange science indeed :joker:.

danica-i will happily pass on any info that i learn:D

Originally posted by Lydiasmomma
I had this problem, only we have been out of dipes for a yr and a half and it was my regular laundry that stank! :eek: I have a 2.5 year old front loader, and recently I read that a front loader should be stripped every month. You run a cycle with nothing in the washer, just HOT water (you may even need to turn up your water heater to do this, I didn't) and a cup and a half of vinegar added where the detergent normally goes. I did THREE cycles like this and was still getting nasty sudsy water. Apparently a lot of gunk and leftover detergent builds up below the drum of front loaders.
Good luck! :thumbsup:


Thank you for the tip! I am about to toss my washer as far as I can throw it!:smirk: I will try that and see if it improves.

My dipes stink still too.:wah: