I use cloth diapers and I've noticed that my son's diapers have a weird skunky smell when he wets in them (which makes my poor baby smell pretty bad). Has anyone else had this problem?
I wash his diapers in hot water with unscented/dye-free laundry detergent. I don't soak them but I do sprinkle them with baking soda. I only wash them once as I have to use a coin-op washer. Is the problem that I'm not washing them right?? What can I do to make his diapers smell fresher?
you probably have some build-up. Put them through a wash cycle using liquid dish soap then another without any detergent at all. That should do it.
you could also give them a soak in vinegar.
And try not using as much soap, funny as it sounds, too much detergent is the number one cause of smelly diapers.
Thanks for telling me that! I think thats probably my problem.. I tend to put more laudry detergent in than the directions say.. I thought that would make them cleaner! Thats really interesting that too much detergent can cause smelly diapers.. I wonder, does it have to do with the residue from the detergent?
Most detergent companies advise you to use way more detergent than you really need. If the detergent is not thoroughly rinsed out, it holds onto smells, and when baby pees - look out! That combination of too much detergent, old urine and new is a eye-tearing knock-out! I'd say use about half or even a quarter of what they say on the label.
Don't use detergents with enzymes or whitening enzymes like Arm & Hammer, FabriCare, Advanced Detergent. Some babies are very sensitive to the enzymes and they hold smells too.
Occasionally add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the first rinse cycle. It helps to deodorize, sanitize, and brighten your diapers and never soak the diaper covers.
Good luck girl and huge congrats on your choice to cloth it!!