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Hello folks,
I have bee using MEOS cotton & bamboo for 9 months... dry pail and wash every 2-3 days in front loader with Mtn Green baby laundry detergent and rinse with vinegar every time. I had problems with what I think is "build up"... a strong ammonia smell when diapes are wet... on my baby, through her clothes came the smell. So, I started using Bac-Out from Biokleen on a friend's recommendation.
The issue is this, now when diapes are wet there is a black-ish hue coming from what looks like the inside of the diapers. For example, yesterday when I changed a poop only diaper and rinsed with the sprayer in the toilet... the black-ishness emerged when the diaper was wet.
What do you all think?
I am waiting for a sunny day to hang them on the line to see if that changes things.
Thanks for your input everyone-
Jen |
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I am having a similar problem with my staydrys which I only use at night. The sun helped a little but the blackishness is still there on the dipes and liners and only on the front part of the diaper where DS would pee. I have a similar wash routine minus the vinigar and I use Charlies.
Does anyone know what the problem might be?
Thanks
Betsy |
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The only thing I think it might be is mold. You know how mold stains, even after it has been washed out. That's my only thought. Since it's in the pee areas of the dipe. Like maybe while it's in the pail, it gets tiny tiny tiny mold growing on it, then you wash it out but the stain remains???
I'm reaching here. That's all I got. It's damp & warm & sitting for a day or two. Mold isn't out if the question. That's why I mention it. My mind says it possible. But I don't know for sure. Just brainstorming.....
Anybody else?? |
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I've been trying to think of what could cause this, too, but haven't really come up with anything other than something moldish, too. Something black doesn't sound healthy, whatever it is. I would consider contacting ME to see if they've heard of this before.
There are two things that might be worth trying, perhaps on one diaper or liner.
1) You could try soaking in full-strength vinegar. This shouldn't hurt the diaper, and might help, as vinegar has some anti-bac properties. I'd probably heat the vinegar first. Vinegar isn't going to hurt the diaper fibers, so this is very low risk.
2) You could try using a dilute bleach solution on the affected area. There is obviously some risk to this, as bleach isn't going to be kind to the diapers, although the occasional bleach round probably isn't the end of the world for the diapers. If there is some kind of bacteria or mold thing going on in there, that might be what it takes. I'd really only try this with one diaper or liner, so that if it doesn't work you haven't used bleach on everything.
3) I'm still not really liking the bleach idea, so maybe something to try first would be a lot of tea tree oil, as that has anti-bac, anti-fungal properties. Not as effective as bleach, but not going to damage the fibers, so perhaps worth trying before the bleach? |
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I'd second using the vinegar, not just a little but a few cups full, and then if that doesn't work maybe even soak in some oxyclean. I'd use really hot water with both of these things too.
I know some are really afraid of oxyclean as it's like bleach, but I'd be more afraid of my baby sitting in any type of mold. I'd also suggest that you try washing in a stronger detergent like Tide a time or two to see if that helps at all. It definitely sounds like it could be mold.
Like PP said, just try it on one diaper and see what happens. If it doesn't work, no use exposing all your diapers to the effects.Kathy |
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Thanks for the suggestions... I think I will contact Mother Ease tomorrow. Will post what I find out.
Jen |
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Mold is the only thing that came to my mind as well but I have to say that it seems highly unlikely. You wash frequently enough that I would never expect mold to grown that quickly (unless you were in a super humid tropical climate???). And I wouldn't expect mold to 'appear' only when a diaper is wet. Can you see anything at all when the diaper is dry?
I wonder if you couldn't still be having build-up problems of some kind? Some kind of chemical reaction with the Biokleen maybe? Have you tried stripping them? Is the blackish staining on every diaper and appears all the time or was it a more isolated incident? Is your baby on any kind of vitamin or something that might cause weird staining?
I'd try what was suggested, can't really hurt and it will surely help strip them anyway. And even though I do think it's unlikely, it's probably better safe than sorry...
Karen. |
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| I have blackish stains on my stay-dry liners only, which I use only at night, and I never worried much about it. They are probably different than yours as they are there all the time, not only when wet. In my case, I highly doubt it is mold as I really don't see what could have caused it and my husband is super sensitive to mold and has never had any issue with them. I simply suspected there may be something in the stay-dry fabric that made it more susceptible to discoloration, but I have no clue. I'll be interested to see what comes out of your inquiry. |
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I completely agree that mold seems very unlikely, even though it's the only thing we've been coming up with. We've had a few times where diapers have been left, accidentally, for nearly a week, sealed and damp, and although they smell horrid and manky, after a thorough washing they've been none the worse for the experience.
Fanfreluche, it does seem weird that your stay-dry liners are stained, since generally that fabric, like fleece, resists staining (from poop, anyway), doesn't it? |
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Maybe try to google "black stain on cloth diaper"
Or " Dark stain on cloth diaper"
Just maybe try googling your problem and see what comes up.
It'll be interesting anyway. |
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Thanks for the responses... I am going on vacation, but after that I will strip them then hang in the sun for the intense sun-sanitize treatment. BTW - we live in Salt Lake City... extremely dry climate. We still really love love love MEOS and recommend them to everyone we can.
Jen |
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