I have tried all of the other de-funking methods that have worked for us in the past, but nothing seems to be working this time. I switched detergents 4 different times. I read multiple accounts of people switching to Tide and their stink was gone. I read that Dawn doesn't work in HE machines, which is what I used for stripping. I switched to Calgon because it's supposed to be good for hard water anyway. I read that Bac-Out works well with toddler's diapers. I tried boiling the inserts. Nothing!
I am almost positive the problem is not enough water, but even after filling the washer with 6 extra gallons of water it didn't seem to make any difference. Someone suggested using the delicate cycle to add more water. I know a lot of people suggest putting a towel in with their diapers to "trick" the machine into thinking the load is bigger. To me, this idea just seems ridiculous. I have even done extra rinses with just the inserts and still I am stymied!
After everything I have tried, poor Tate still smells like a skunk in the morning. The ammonia brings tears to my eyes and makes his bottom red. I have to wonder if that's what is making him wake up again at night because he had been sleeping so well. The stink is so strong that you can smell it as soon as you walk in his bedroom. It isn't as bad during the day, but he is such a heavy wetter he isn't usually in a diaper more than 1 1/2- 2 hours.
Then I had a brilliant idea, or at least I seriously hope it is! My brother and sister-in-law just got a new washer this summer and their old top loader was just setting in their garage. Michael and Tate set it up for me yesterday. Since then, I have been rinsing, rinsing, rinsing and I am still getting suds. This is something I have never been able to check before. Just a few weeks ago, I thought I had been adding extra water by using the presoak cycle. Come to find out, there was hardly any water in the machine. It didn't even cover 1/3 of the load! So, this is our new set up:
Now, I am definitely more optimistic that I will find a solution. We have some serious water issues here, which doesn't help me. But after a lot of research, I feel much more comfortable trying several options in a top loader so I can keep a closer watch on things. I am also encouraged that Rockin' Green Soap is coming out with a Funk Rock formula later this month. From what I understand, it is supposed to deal with ammonia issues. I need to get the issue under control before adding more diapers to the mix. I have read that if my toddler's diapers have ammonia stink and I wash the baby's diapers with them, they will become funky smelling as well. So, I have at the most one month from yesterday to figure out a solution... YIKES!!
I was starting to have serious amonia issues as well! Ethan's bottom would get so raw it was frustrating. Finally I figured out the right method for ME and maybe something that I do may help you as well seeing we don't live too far apart. Btw, we have a top loader.
ReplyDeleteI first switched to Hard Rock because I thought it was detergent. It took one whole large bag to figure out how much detergent I needed and for the diapers to get used to the detergent. That may sound crazy. But I think it does take a while for the old stinkies to finally work themselves out with the new detergent. So, I now use about 1 tablespoon to 2 if the large is really large or has lots of poopy diapers. I wash every other day.
I start with a HOT wash with no detergent. This is just to work all the extra stuff off the diapers and get them somewhat clean. I then do a HOT soak with my detergent PLUS a few drops of tea tree oil (the key to getting amonia out of diapers for me!!). At least 2 to 3 hours then let it wash and rinse through. Then I have to do one last WARM wash just to get any left over detergent off. I've noticed that if I don't do that last warm wash my diapers must have a detergent residue left on them because Ethan will break out.
I always hang the diapers out to sun for the afternoon on my laundry drying rack outside. It always gets the stains out and any last bit of stink. Although, if the diapers are still stinky, they aren't clean. I hardly ever come across it anymore since I got the system down. Everyonce in a while I have one stinky diaper come out of the wash and I just throw it out on the line.
So if you haven't done this little routine, try it just to see if any of that is working. I've been doing it for about 2 or 3 months now and it's still working for me.