When Cooper hit seven months, we switched to Duos in size two, but after five months of use, I noticed a strong ammonia smell and some redness on his bum. It turns out ammonia buildup is a common part of cloth diapering, but thankfully, "stripping" the diapers is a simple fix.
To clear the buildup that causes diapers to stink, I started with my usual pre-wash to remove waste. Then, I added 1/2 cup of bleach and ran a full hot cycle, followed by an extra rinse. The result? The ammonia scent vanished, and Cooper’s skin cleared up immediately.
Overusing bleach or using high concentrations can break down the materials and components in cloth diapers. It is best used as an occasional deep-cleaning method rather than during every wash.
To prevent future smells, I’ve picked up a few additional tricks:
- Sanitize: Periodically add 1/2 cup of bleach to a 15-diaper load to kill odor-causing bacteria. Rinse thoroughly.
- Detergent Matters: Some detergents leave more residue than others. Refer to the Detergent Index for top recommended brands.
- Optimize Wash Loads: For standard machines, wash no more than 18 diapers at a time.
- Soften Hard Water: Add ¼ cup of Washing Soda or Calgon to your cycle; start with one weekly treatment and adjust as needed for your water hardness.
- Sun Dry: Sunlight disinfects and naturally bleaches out stains and odors.
- Let Them Breathe: Don’t seal your diaper pail tightly; airflow prevents smells from building up.
- Wash Frequently: Don’t let dirty diapers sit for more than a couple of days.
Our Thirsties are back to normal and Cooper is comfortable again! Have you dealt with ammonia issues? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments!
