😬 Oh No, That Smell! Dealing with Ammonia in Cloth Diapers

Ammonia — it’s the sharp, eye-watering stink that hits you when you open the diaper pail or wash machine and wonder if you’ve wandered into a barn. While it’s a common issue for cloth diaper users, the good news is that it’s totally fixable and preventable with the right steps. Here’s how to identify, treat, and prevent ammonia smells, buildup, and burns, no stress, just solutions!

What Causes Ammonia Smell in Cloth Diapers?

Ammonia is a natural byproduct of urine breaking down over time. When diapers sit too long without washing or aren’t getting fully cleaned, ammonia builds up in the fabric. This can lead to:

- A strong, nose-wrinkling smell when wet

- Diapers that smell clean dry but reek when baby pees

- Skin irritation or, in more serious cases, ammonia burns

Let’s break it down by issue:

🧼 1. Ammonia Smell

If your diapers are starting to smell like ammonia after a wash or once they’re wet again, they likely need a deeper clean. Here’s what to do:

- Run a hot wash with detergent and a full dose of oxygen bleach (like OxiClean). This helps break down ammonia crystals.

- Follow with an extra rinse.

- Dry as usual — preferably in the sun if you can! UV rays help sanitize and naturally deodorize.

- If the smell lingers, repeat with a bleach wash: ¼ cup of regular liquid bleach (⅛ cup for HE machines) added to the drum during a hot cycle.

🧪 2. Ammonia Buildup

If ammonia is a repeat offender, it may be due to:

- Diapers not getting fully clean (often from a wash routine that’s too gentle or not enough detergent)

- Waiting too long between washes (every 2–3 days is ideal)

- Too little water or agitation during washing

How to fix it:

- Do a "strip" of your diapers: wash them with a strong detergent and ½ cup of washing soda or a specific stripping agent (like RLR) to remove buildup.

- Follow with a sanitize cycle or bleach wash to kill bacteria.

- Reset your wash routine: Make sure you’re using enough detergent (a mainstream detergent with enzymes is best) and washing on hot with a strong cycle and lots of agitation.

🌡 3. Ammonia Burns (Ouch!)

This is the most serious result of ammonia buildup. You’ll know it’s happening if your baby has:

- Red, raised welts in the diaper area

- Skin that looks like it’s been scalded or has blisters

- A strong smell on diapers immediately after use

First, stop using cloth for a few days and switch to breathable disposables to let your baby’s skin heal. Treat the rash like a burn:

- Use a diaper balm like Joy Balm or your preferred cloth-safe balm.

- Give baby lots of diaper-free time

- See your pediatrician if it looks severe or isn’t improving quickly

Meanwhile, deep clean your diapers:

- Do a bleach soak or wash to kill bacteria and break down ammonia

- Strip any inserts or prefolds with buildup

- Evaluate your routine to prevent recurrence (especially detergent strength and wash frequency)

💡 Prevention Tips

- Wash diapers every 2–3 days, max

- Use a mainstream detergent with enzymes (like Tide, Persil, or Gain — powder or liquid is fine!)

- Don’t skimp on agitation — your washer should be about ¾ full when wet for best cleaning

- Use a rinse cycle if you know you have soft water, and avoid extra rinses in hard water unless you're sure there's no mineral buildup

- Dry completely before storing

- Occasionally, sanitize with bleach or oxygen bleach if you notice the smell creeping back in

Still having trouble? You're not alone — ammonia is one of the most common cloth diaper challenges, but with the right info and routine, you'll be back to fresh, fluffy diapers in no time.