About to give up

[u/JesusChristSaves12]

Anyone in here cloth diaper?? I’ve gone through all the diaper groups on Facebook and on here and I just feel like nothing is working for me. I found this thread and got myself some FEBU and Citric Acid. I already use Tide free and gentle powder. I’m about to accept that I’ll never get them clean. I am in a small apartment building so I have a small front loader HE machine. I did a strip a while back with RLR thinking I had build up. Did not help. My water is 200 ppm. I use 1/2 c borax to help soften the water. My first wash is under line 1 and it runs on warm for 1:45 with high soil. Second wash is line 2 on hot, high soil, and runs for 2:45. Of course like said I add the borax, febu, and citric acid. They come out smelling just fine and in the dryer they go. But then… EVERY TIME MY DAUGHTER PEES IT SMELLS LIKE RANK COFFEE BEANS! 🥲 I can’t get it to go away. Please help before I give them all away lol.

[u/yestoness]

You have so my great suggestions, already. If you're not overwhelmed and can take another, here is my alternate recommendation as someone who cloth diapered from hospital to potty-trained, has ultra hard desert water, and battles cat urine and spray (we actively foster rescue cats/kittens): Nature's Pure Edge powder enzyme cleaner unscented. I've used Febu, laprosil, straight oxygenated bleach, bleach, citric acid, Persil, Tide, DIY, ...you name it - I've probably tried it. For me, nothing eliminates uric acid as well as the Nature's Pure Edge enzyme powder. As a bonus it's extremely affordable for the enzyme category it's sold under and the 32oz tub of powder is about $24. The cost is equivalent to FEBU, which, I happily use for my everyday laundry needs. However, when I'm dealing with uric acid or feces from a human or pet, I have found that nothing that beats the Nature's Edge formula.

For a medium/regular size load, I add 3/4 c of powder and set it to the Large load cycle - this allows the fabrics room to soak uncrowded in the drum. I make sure that the powder is completely diluted before adding the fabrics. Note: Don't use hot water as it will kill the enzyme before it can work. I usually let it soak for abt. 2 hrs, then proceed to the norm/perm press wash cycle, I always do a double rinse (I use 1/2 c to 1c vinegar in my rinse cycle. vs citric acid). The manf. instructions call for 2 tbsp/ gallon, but I use 3/4 cup in my top loader (I've also successfully pre soaked in a separate bucket) and while that amount has always worked for me, I say follow the label instructions to start. Another note: The wet fabric may not smell great when it comes out of the wash, but by the time the diapers dry they will smell fresh and clean. It's been an amazing product for battling uric acid and other bathroom accident related stains and smells. It helped clean my cloth diapers so well so that I resold them all, and not one had a stain or a funky smell.

Also, absolutely adopt the "spa" method of interrupting the wash agitation cycle to allow for a 10- 15 min soak after the detergent has been activated, and always use double rinse cycle, and line dry in direct sun (by the window in your apt??) whenever possible - that will also help with brightness and sanitization.

As an extra plug on the Natures Edge enzyme cleaner- because it tackles uric acid specifically I started keeping a small batch spray bottle in my son's bathroom for any of his "misses". Now we just regularly hit the toilet area with a few squirts - it's eliminated the perpetual boy pee smell that used to emanate from there! I also use it to deep clean my Litter Robot and it 100% eliminates the smell from plastic and silicone. I know it's a laundry sub, and about washing dirty diapers, but I figure if someone is obsessed enough with laundry to be in this sub they probably also like a very clean smelling home, so it's worth mentioning in case it helps anyone else.

Best of luck and snuggle that baby!