[DK615617]

Ok, so I really really need some help!!!
I have been cd'ing Jessica since she was about 2 months old. I bought the chinese prefolds with Thirsties covers. I was happy with them. I also had some of the insert diapers as well, I forget the company but I was happy with those too. I only had 6 of those though, as they cost more. Any way things were great at first.
Lately as soon as she pees it smells soooooo bad. I can instantly tell when she has peed.
I have read that this may mean bacteria. That maybe my detergent is staying on the diaper and holding in bacteria.......
I will explain my situation (what I do) and I am looking for advice on ANYTHING that will stop this.
I hate bleach and up to this point have relied on the extremely hot water and the sanitize setting on our washer to kill bacteria. Also being in South FL I know the sun helps too so I hang them out from time to time.
We have a front loading washer
We have well water. I tested it and it was 7.2 (whatever that means)
I use ALL free and clear detergent. It is supposed to be free of colors, perfumes, and enzymes.
I tried running them through with 1/3 cup of bleach, and the ALL, then I did an extra rinse. Then when she wore it and peed, I nearly died. It almost smelled worse!!!!!!!!
I know it isn't her pee. It is the diapers. (She peed on me the other day with no diaper, and no smell, my mom put a disposable on her and no smell.)
Anyway I am frustrated....I need ideas.
Do I try vinigar? Can I do that with this silly front loading machine?? ?I hate not being able to open the lid and add things when I want to !!!!!!!!
The worst part is tonight when I changed her (she had spent 20 min playing on the floor) Her bottom was red, I mean fire engine red, with a few large welts on it!!!! I know nothing happened to her, as I changed her diaper 20 minutes earlier and her bottom wasn't the slightest bit red. She doesnt' seem to be bothered by it, but I do not want this to continue. I put cream on it, and dh is bringing soem disposables till I can work this out.
Help!!!!!

[swt1899]

Sounds like you need to strip your diapers. I CD and have several kinds including the kind you have. We have hard water and I strip quite often. I tried vinegar and it made things WAY WORSE. Ugh! They stunk so bad afterwards. What I do is 1 cold wash with detergent and then follow that with a hot wash with detergent. If I need to strip, I use Calgon (a water softner) with hot water (no detergent) and a 2nd rinse... I do this 3-4 times till the smell is gone.
Free and Clear detergents will still leave residue. Try the following:
Planet (I get this at the grocery store) it's in a white bottle
Charlie's Soap - found it online - works nice except my son's skin is sensitive and it really over cleaned for me... you might like it.
Allen's Naturally
Vaska
Country Save

When washing diapers, don't use any fabric softners... it adds residue and smells build up quick... just like the free and clear detergents.

Go to Kelly's Closet online... www.kellyscloset.com. You can email her and she gives GREAT advice. I buy my diapers/liners from her.

Now the inserts can be bleached some, but they do not recommend bleaching diapers.
Hope this helps some!
PM me if you need more info.