Nothing is more frustrating than washing your cloth diapers only to have them come out still smelling unpleasant. If your cloth diapers smell after washing, don’t worry. It’s a common issue, and in most cases, it is easy to fix.

Let’s dive into the most frequent causes of lingering odors and how you can solve them for good.

1. Skipping the Pre-Wash

Skipping the pre-wash cycle can leave too much waste and urine on diapers before the main wash, making it harder to remove all odors.

How to Fix It:

• Always perform a cold pre-wash or quick wash for at least 30 minutes.

• This step rinses away the majority of waste before the heavy wash.

2. Insufficient Main Wash

Cloth diapers require a strong wash routine to remove waste and bacteria completely. Short wash cycles do not give diapers enough time to become properly clean.

How to Fix It:

• After the pre-wash, use a long, heavy-duty cycle with warm water that lasts at least 90 minutes.

• Longer cycles ensure thorough cleaning and rinsing.

3. Machine Too Full or Too Empty

An overloaded or underloaded washing machine can prevent diapers from agitating properly, leading to poor cleaning and lingering smells.

How to Fix It:

• Aim for a balanced load that fills about two-thirds of the drum.

• Adjust your load size if necessary by adding or removing a few items to achieve optimal agitation.

4. Hard Water Problems

Hard water contains minerals that cling to fabric and reduce detergent effectiveness. This leads to trapped odors, buildup, and poor cleaning results. If you suspect hard water, it’s worth testing your water hardness.

How to Fix It:

• Use a water softener if you have hard water.

• Choose a detergent designed for hard water to improve cleaning results.

• Adjust your detergent amount as needed for better effectiveness.

• Avoid extra rinses if you have hard water, as they can redeposit minerals onto the fabric.

5. Not Enough Detergent

Using too little detergent can leave urine and waste behind, causing persistent odors even after washing.

How to Fix It:

• Increase the amount of detergent based on heavily soiled load recommendations.

• Avoid homemade detergents, as they often lack the cleaning strength needed for cloth diapers.

6. Ammonia Buildup

If your diapers have a sharp, burning smell after washing, ammonia buildup is often the cause.

How to Fix It:

• Never skip the pre-wash cycle to help flush out urine before the main wash.

• If you do not have hard water, consider adding an extra rinse after the main wash.

7. Not Drying Properly

If diapers do not dry completely, they can develop a musty or sour smell, especially when left damp for extended periods.

How to Fix It:

• Dry diapers thoroughly before storing them.

• If you line-dry indoors and live in a humid climate, use a fan or dehumidifier to speed up drying.

• For machine drying, use low heat to fully dry without damaging elastics.

How to Keep Cloth Diapers Smelling Fresh Long-Term

Simple habits make a big difference in keeping cloth diapers fresh:

• Rinse dirty diapers thoroughly before storage.

• Do not leave soiled diapers for more than 2 to 3 days before washing.

• Maintain a strong and consistent wash routine with a proper pre-wash and long main wash cycle.

Still Need Help With Cloth Diaper Smells?

If you're still experiencing odors after trying these tips or have questions about cloth diapering, we're here to help!

• Contact us anytime at hello@bonjourbabies.com for personalized assistance.

• Visit our FAQ and Blog for answers to common questions and expert tips.

• Check out our Complete Guide to Mastering Cloth Diapering to become a cloth diaper pro!