Dazed and confuzed about ammonia...

[Pixi6s]

Sounds like you might need to strip. I prefer to use Oxygen Bleach (I use biokleen brand).

I've never been really nasty so not sure if you should soak. But if my diaps were feeling unclean I would

1oz oxygen bleach in warm rinse
1oz oxygen bleach with detergent in main hot/long wash
Hot (or warm) short cycle to rinse.

Normally if I want a little boost I do:
1oz oxygen bleach in warm rinse
detergent in main hot/long wash
warm rinse

Normal routine
Warm rinse
Hot/long wash with detergent
cold rinse

[CheleBelle84]

Chiming in because I have had the same question! How do you know that you have hard water?! That has always confused me! And so far I notice only a few inserts hold the stink, and the same "not really ammonia" smell ... it's hard to describe ... guess maybe I can strip just those few? Isn't there a blue dawn stripping recipe too?

[jensmyname]

Originally Posted by Darkfyre The bleach can be added to either cycle. I put it in the pre-rinse so that I don't need an extra rinse to get the bleach smell out. The wash cycle may be more effective but you will probably need an extra rinse. I too have hard water and use vinegar sometimes without problem. Why do you think you need to strip? Stripping is for removing soap/detergent build-up, really this is not your problem. Ammonia is caused by bacteria being left behind in the diapers and then reacting with urine when the baby pees. If the diapers are clean there is nothing left to create ammonia. I too don't use Tide because of the fragrances. I use Whole Foods 365 unscented detergent. We use it on everything. What do you wash your clothes with? I would start with that.

I guess I thought ammonia was caused by detergent buildup. Good to know what causes it.

I wash our clothes in Original Tide and the little's clothes in Tide F&G. Cloth diapers in Rockin Green.

[jensmyname]

Originally Posted by CheleBelle84 Chiming in because I have had the same question! How do you know that you have hard water?! That has always confused me! And so far I notice only a few inserts hold the stink, and the same "not really ammonia" smell ... it's hard to describe ... guess maybe I can strip just those few? Isn't there a blue dawn stripping recipe too?

Well, I thought I had moderately hard water, but I just called my water department and found out I have "very hard water". I am shocked! I guess I need to start using some Calgon. If you want to find out if you have hard water, call your water department.

[jensmyname]

So, now wondering if anyone with very hard water has had ammonia issues and if so, do you treat it differently or still with bleach and vinegar?

[nonipie]

Originally Posted by jensmyname So, now wondering if anyone with very hard water has had ammonia issues and if so, do you treat it differently or still with bleach and vinegar?

I have hard water and we had tons of ammonia issues until we found the right detergent. I occasionally use bleach basically for my toddler's over night diapers. The ammonia is bacteria so they need to get clean. More detergent not less is what helped me. I don't use vinegar because I have not found a need for it. I use Tide Free.

[rainbowgirl28]

I had horrible ammonia problems with our fitted overnight diapers once we moved into a house where the hot water only got lukewarm. To kill it temporarily, I would go to my MIL's house and run them through a sanitize cycle with bleach.

I switched to Tide and things were better, but not perfect. I started using more Tide, up to line 2, and now the problem seems to be tamed.

[xa109a7]

I've had luck rinsing all diapers with heavy pee (I use a sprayer). I also had luck adding a small amount (1/2Tbsp) of Hard Rock by Rockin Green in first rinse cycle.