Welcome To Cloth Diaper Addiction!

If you would like us to review a product of yours please email us at: Kristina{at}clothdiaperaddiction{dot}com Thanks!

There are some people asking about how to follow Cloth Diaper Addiction via GFC (google friend connect) on the blog. How to do this: When on the blog look on the left hand column there is black lettering that says "Followers", just below that is a blue box that says "Join our site" (via google friend connect - under the blue box) Just click the blue "Join our Site" Box and log in and you are all good to go!

October 25, 2010

Stripping the Gunk and the Funk

If you’ve been in the cloth diaper world any amount of time, there is a good chance you’ve heard the term “stripping” in reference to your diapers. You are probably wondering why? How? What?!

Let’s start with the WHAT. Stripping diapers is basically what it sounds like: removing something. Here, we are talking about removing the gunk and the funk that has built up either due to detergent or diaper creams.

WHY do we need to remove these things? This gunk and funk can leave your diapers stinky and, even worse, leaky! If you are experiencing either of these issues, then it is time to strip those diapers. You don’t want to remain so frustrated with your stinky, leaky diapers that you stop using them altogether.

But, HOW, you ask? Place your diapers in your washer and run a cold rinse as normal to clean off your diapers. Next, fill up your washer with hot water. Your water needs to be very hot for this, so turn up the hot water heater (and make a note of this so no one gets burned the next time they jump in the shower!) or boil some water to pour in your washer while it is filling. Note: Do not add detergent, just water. Finally, rinse your diapers over and over and over (and over...and over...) with hot water. You want to continue rinsing until there are no more bubbles remaining in your water. When the bubbles are gone, your diapers are stripped! Bleach does not produce suds but can cause a nasty chemical burn if not rinsed out. Dawn also can cause a chemical burn if not rinsed well.

Plain water may not help your stinks, though, and you may have to resort to some additives. One product you probably already have on hand can strip diapers easily: Baking Soda (add 1/2 to 1 Cup to your hot water and rinse, rinse, rinse until all bubbles are gone). Original (blue) Dawn dish soap is another great solution for stripping diapers that many people have in their kitchens (add a couple of squirts and rinse, rinse, rinse). If neither of these products help, there are others that you could try: Bac-Out, OxyClean and RLR are the most popular - add any of these to your wash and, you guessed it, rinse, rinse, rinse!

What if you try this and your diapers are still stinky? It could be that build-up isn’t your problem. It could be that you aren’t using enough detergent. Try adding more detergent to your wash load and see if that helps the stink disappear. Problems can also arise if you have heard that vinegar is good for cleaning diapers and you live in a hard water area. While vinegar is great for cleaning diapers, it does not mix well with hard water. If you desire to continue using vinegar in your wash, you should add some Calgon to soften your water, or just discontinue using the vinegar altogether.

On the Bummis web site you can find some more great information about what they suggest for cleaning your diapers. If you go to any of the Major cloth diapering companies pages you can find great tips for washing and caring as well.

Terra did a strip with some Rockin' Green and here is what she found:

This was a rinse on cold and then 16 hours and 45 minute soak in hot water and 3Tbsp. of Hard Rock Smashing Watermelons.

Started soak at 315pm
First picture at 330pm
Second picture at 640pm, after 30 seconds of agitation
Final picture at 8am, after 30 seconds of agitation (normally, I'd close the lid and just let it do its thing, but I had to get a picture!!)

Pretty gross what you can get out of what you thought were clean diapers right?

Here is what I am currently doing:
My diapers are reaking big time. My boys would pee in them and instant stench. After doing a wash on Saturday I smelled my diapers and I about fell over on the floor. I had just finished doing my normal washing routine and they smelt so nasty! So frustrating. So today I am stripping them. I did a full rinse cycle in cold water to clean out the yuck. Then I added Blue Dawn dish detergent. This is great for helping remove build up residue from your diapers. Then I am rinsing, rinsing, rinsing on HOT water over and over again until there is no more suds left in the water. After that I will rinse a couple more times just to be sure. Then I will smell one or two, yes, feel free to call me strange but I want to make sure the smell is gone! I will then throw them out on the line if its nice out or else toss them in the dryer. I always hang dry my covers and shells. It saves on the velcro and elastic.

I will also use this method when stripping my diapers if they are not as bad but need something to help with the stench:
-rinse in cold water, wash in HOT water with 1/2 cup soda, wash with regular detergent. (my main detergent is Allen's).Then I will do a rinse with some vinegar. Then into the dryer or on the line they go.

There are so many different ways to take care of your diapers and everyone has their own ideas and methods that work best for them. We would love to hear what you do to strip your diapers! Post your suggestions in the comments below please!

26 comments:

MDock said...

Great post! Just a note on the baking soda though. It deteriorates bamboo fibers REALLY fast so if your dipes are made of bamboo, it's not reccomended. Thanks for the info!

Kristina said...

Thanks for sharing Melina! Does washing soda do the same thing?

Rebecca said...

I just need to whine ... I have an HE washer that only gives me 2 hr maximum soak :-(

I did call Whirpool to complain that there is not an override & they said they do submit all feedback... anybody else with this problem please call your washer manufacturer so maybe future models will have an override or customizable cycle!

Kristina said...

Yeah that stinks! I have a regular machine so I dont have to worry about that. I did do an overnight RnG soak in my bathtub, so if you wanted to do a good soak you could try that!

Jen "Clarksgirl" said...

What about with HE front loaders that don't hold water to soak? Than what do you recommend for a stripping method? I am a first time clothing mama who could really use the help as my little one has what I think may be an ammonia burn.

Julie Rosinski said...

Someone told me vinegar is not safe for diapers with PUL. Is this true?

Kristina said...

if you have a HE machine you can fill your bathtub or a plastic storage tote to soak in.

Some people use vinegar in the rinse cycle but there has always been a big debate surrounding vinegar and pul. Can the pul be damaged by vinegar? Nobody really knows for sure so many people just take out their pul covers and aio's then add vinegar to the final rinse. I only use it every once and a while to help get rid of the stink. I know if you have hard water the vinegar sort of acts like a counter part and off sets the chemicals in hard water.

Here is a great article by diaper pin to check out about vinegar:
http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/article_vinegar.asp

MDock said...

Kristina, do you mean baking soda when you say "washing soda"? And yes, it does also deteriorate bamboo fibers quickly. Works great on prefolds though :)

danamarie said...

I agree with you Rebecca, I also have an HE washing machine and I hate it for diapers but everything else I love it! I can not do a soak either and there is no rinse cycle just a drain and spin cycle so yes it does suck for washing them! I have been told to put 2 heavy wet towels in my machine to trick the machine into thinking it needs more water! I have also done it when it gets into the cycle and the water is in there before it does its thing to pause the machine and let it soak. I had better luck with stripping in the bathtub!!

Lori C said...

Agree with danamarie... I have a HE front loader and have yet to get it to do a proper soak for me. I just did a soak in the bathtub today (3 tbsp rockin green, hot water) and let them sit while I went out all day. Think it worked!

Unknown said...

north face jackets
miami dolphins jerseys
vans shoes
coach outlet
ugg boots
pittsburgh steelers jersey
real madrid jersey
air max 2014
chanel handbags
mizuno running
cheap football shirts
custom mlb jerseys
ralph lauren uk
futbol baratas
cleveland cavaliers jersey
the north face uk
dallas cowboys jersey
ugg uk
new york knicks jersey
cheap nike shoes
miami heat jersey
new york jets jerseys
the north face jackets
los angeles lakers jerseys
michael kors uk
baltimore ravens jerseys
nike free
tommy hilfiger outlet
cheap wedding dresses
michael kors uk
mbt shoes
new orleans saints jerseys
green bay packers jerseys
nike outlet store
michael kors outlet
the north face clearance
nike huarache
hermes birkin
mulberry uk
cheap soccer jerseys
achang0611

Unknown said...

adidas trainers shoes
ray ban wayfarer
coach factory outlet
nike air max
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
adidas trainers uk
nike trainers uk
puma sneaker
polo ralph lauren shirts
2017.3.6chenlixiang

Unknown said...

Harga besi hollow
Harga besi hollow
Toko Plat kapal besi baja bki krakatau steel
Harga pipa besi
Toko wiremesh
undangan pernikahan unik dan murah
Supplier Besi Wf
Supplier Wiremesh Besi baja
Harga plat kapal besi baja
Pabrik besi beton PAS

link8

Unknown said...

longchamp sale
kobe 11
hermes belts
lacoste outlet
longchamp bags
kyrie shoes
kobe sneakers
true religion
nike polo
adidas superstar

Unknown said...

eagles jerseys
nhl jerseys
ralph lauren outlet
ugg outlet
jordan shoes
polo ralph lauren
green bay packers jerseys
seahawks jersey
ray ban sunglasses outlet
ray ban sunglasses

Unknown said...

tory burch shoes
tom ford glasses
nmd
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet online
jordan shoes
kobe basketball shoes
golden goose outlet
longchamp handbags

escortscart said...

Female Escorts Bridal attendants are chosen from your shut friends and relations, along with any sisters of the groom. You'll elect to have both a maid and matron of honor, but you'll should designate that one will attend you at the alter, to hold your bouquet and therefore the groom's ring, and to help your veil and train. However, there are a number of responsibilities of the bridal party.
Female Escorts,High Class Decision Girls,Escorts Ladies,Escorts ,Escorts near me
Female Escorts

Unknown said...

zzzzz2018.6.24
golden goose shoes
jordan shoes
prada handbags
nike air max 95
longchamp handbags
true religion outlet
coach outlet
coach outlet
skechers shoes
ralph lauren outlet

Unknown said...

20180810 junda
coach outlet store online
nike roshe one
jordan shoes
uggs outlet
michael kors outlet
gucci outlet
cheap jordans
coach handbags
jordan shoes
chrome hearts outlet

Lucy said...

Kyrie Shoes
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Air Jordan Retro 9
Jordan Retro 9
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Red Bottom Shoes For Women
Yeezy boost 350 v2
Pandora
Jordan Retro
Nike Air Max 270
Danielle20180905

jjjjjjjjjjjjj said...

coach outlet stores
lebron 13
hermes belt
adidas shoes for men
cheap jordans
michael kors handbags
coach factory outlet
kd 10
polo ralph lauren
air jordan 12

zzyytt said...

adidas crazy explosive
hermes bags
fila shoes
nike polo
fitflops sale clearance
golden goose outlet
nike air max
nike jordans
basketball shoes
nhl jerseys

ahmed said...

تعمد مؤسسة نقل اثاث بالعاصمة السعودية المرموقة علي إدخار خدمة ونش رفع العفش لما تحمله من ضرورة هائلة فى إدخار وقت الزبون وإزاحة خوفه على ممتلكاته و منقولاته. و يتم تحديد نطاق الاحتياج إلى استعمال ونش رفع العفش بناءا على سعة أو ضيق بوابة البيت و العقار, ومساحة السلم, و العثور على منطقة مناسبة لانتظار الونش تحت العقار.
افضل شركة نقل اثاث

Anthony said...

You can find a photo of Bed Boosters here. Does everybody enjoy the new Bed Boosters? Bed Boosters could bite the hand that feeds it. Here I go again, spouting my alarmingly accurate musings relating to Bed Boosters.Biorexin Reviews Admittedly, we're going along at ludicrous speed here. No hard feelings? This column is basically just to reinforce the reasons I have for Bed Boosters.
https://www.bedboosters.com/biorexin-reviews/
https://www.bedboosters.com/semaxin-male-enhancement/

mcshede said...

go to the website visit the site click now see read what he said our website

Unknown said...

replica ysl bags australia find this a0w39f9q50 replica bags philippines greenhills learn this here now a6v08k5i29 cheap designer bags replica 7a replica bags go r2o24c4p79 buy replica bags replica bags qatar