Sometimes even after you wash and dry your diapers, you find they stink. Maybe after one pee your diapers reek to high heavens!! You've got a case of the stinkies!! :)
Sometimes, the smell is leftover because you just didn't wash them well enough but sometimes it is simply a build up of detergent, lotions, or oils (even natural oils that your body produces can cause a build up!) Because of this build-up, your diapers really aren't getting the wash they need and are not absorbing as much as they could!!
If you notice you have a case of the stinkies or your inserts just aren't absorbing how they should, you need to strip them!! There are many different methods!! And before we get into that, let's make sure you are washing your diapers correctly to start!! The key to washing cloth diapers effectively is a rinse before you start (cold water), hot water, and an extra final rinse (especially if you have a HE washer or you are using a not so friendly detergent!) The way I wash my diapers IS:
1. COLD rinse with no detergent (get rid of all the pee!)
2. HOT regular wash using approx 1 TBSP of Rockin Green!
3. COLD rinse (I do this twice- read note!)
4. Hang to dry or low-heat dryer setting!
NOTE: I would ALWAYS do a second rinse at the end because I have an HE washer. If you have a regular top loader, AND are using Rockin Green, only one rinse once. If you are using a non- cloth diaper friendly detergent- rinse twice!
To strip your diapers:
Method #1: Regular Routine Stripping
On a regular basis, I always strip my diapers about once a month. Your washing machine needs to be set on a heavy duty cycle with a hot wash and don’t add any detergent. Add your CLEAN cloth diapers. When the washer is done filling and it begins to agitate, open the lid and check for any suds in the water. Even if you see a layer of film you will want to repeat the wash cycle again until you no longer see any detergent in the water during agitation. If you have an HE front-loader washer, you will be able to see once there are no longer any suds (you may be surprized how long this takes!)
Once you no longer see detergent in the water your diapers have been stripped. See, that was easy. Now that your diapers are shiny clean, make sure you are always washing your diapers correctly to eliminate high need for this!
Method #3: Dawn Dish Soap
Synthetic materials like fleece often don’t rinse out very well. This can cause pocket diapers to have an odor and the build up can cause them to repel which will result in leakage. Using diaper creams without using a liner against the fleece can also cause repelling issues. In this case, there is a little bit more labor involved.
If you find that your pocket diapers need stripping you need to do it by hand. First soak the pocket diapers in hot water with some dawn dish soap for about 30 minutes. Then either using a soft scrub brush or your hands, scrub the entire layer of fleece both inside and out. Then wash the pocket covers in the washer until you don’t see any soapy residue left in the water. Again, this may take a few times!
Method #4: Rockin' Green- FUNK ROCK
Simply add 4 tablespoons to up to 20 diapers in one sitting. Let them set for at least 30 minutes, but I know people who leave them over night! You can also use a little in your pre-wash to keep the stinkies from coming back. One bag should last at least 2 months!!
OR SIMPLY ROCK A SOAK with any Rockin Green!
Other tips:
You can also add a ½ cup of baking soda to help neutralize and eliminate any odors. (DO NOT USE ON POCKETS OR FLEECE)
Following a hot wash, run an extra rinse cycle (with optional ½ cup of vinegar) to get rid of any leftover residue. (DO NOT USE ON POCKETS OR FLEECE)
ALWAYS Start with a cold rinse..heat will cause proteins (solid waste, food etc) to set into fabric and stain!
** Baking soda and vinegar uses are questionable. Research it yourself and make the best decision for you. I have never used these methods. (DO NOT USE ON POCKETS OR FLEECE)**
Do NOT use bleach, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets!
Avoid zinc oxide diaper creams as they will stain your diapers and causing repelling. If absolutely necessary, use a fleece or disposable liner, but be sure to wash the fleece liner separately!
Use the highest water level setting! (I actually pause my washer and add extra HOT water since I cannot adjust my water level!)
PUL covers should be dried periodically in the dryer. This helps to "seal" the laminate and maintain the waterproof qualities!
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