Tushie Talk Tuesday: Stripping with Blue Dawn

Yeah, yeah.  I know it's not Tuesday...again.

Things have been crazy around here the past few weeks and unfortunately my poor little blog has been neglected!

I had to write this post even a few days late because every cloth diapering Mama NEEDS this info!

Tushie Talk Tuesday: Stripping with Blue Dawn

Yup, that's right.   You CAN strip your CD with dish soap.  It is also the best dang stripper you can use!

I've had a couple diapers lately that no amount of soaking in Rockin Green, Funk Rock or RLR could cure....

I've read lots of blogs, articles, etc. that suggest Blue Dawn works wonders.  Desperate and not quite willing to bleach the diapers just yet I decided to give it a shot.

Holy.  Freakin.  Moly.

The diapers are like new.  No smells, not stains (well some time in the sun is to thank for that also), nothing.  Zip.  Nada.

So.  You want to know how right?  Easy peasy.

1.  You must use BLUE DAWN.  Not apple scented, not unscented yellow.  Blue Dawn.  Don't know the science behind it....don't care.  it works.

2. Your diapers have to be clean.  Do a regular wash (you can skip the first rinse if you want - I did it just to be extra sure they were clean but skipped the second rinse).  Use your normal washing detergent.  They don't have to be dry - just clean. 

3. Add Blue Dawn.  For top loaders add 1 TABLESPOON, for front loaders add 1 TEASPOON.

4. Wash with lots of water

5. Rinse, rinse and rinse some more!  Keep rinsing until the suds are gone.  I needed 2 extra rinses and I have a top loader.  You may need more for a front loader (or top loader depending on the amount of agitation your washer provides). 

That's it!  You are welcome ;)

Some companies warranty may become void when using alternate cleaning solutions (blue dawn, bleach, etc.).  If you are concerned about the warranty on your diapers consult with the company prior to washing.

Product Review: Rockin' Green - Funk Rock

Disclaimer:  I did receive free product in exchange for this review.  This did not have any influence on my review.  These opinions are my own.

I have been using Rockin' Green Laundry Detergent since we started using CD.  I spent a lot of time looking into detergent because A) we have very hard water and B) I was terrified of messing up my washing routine!  I had read so many horror stories of people ruining their entire stash because of the wrong detergent.

I have had ZERO problems so I figure why mess with perfection?

The Rockin' Green love doesn't stop there for us.  We also use Shake It Up! in our wet bags.  I LOVE this stuff.  As I've posted previously we leave our wet bags open, hanging on Emmett's dresser.  I have had no problems with smells.

I was so excited when the awesome folks over at Rockin' Green sent me a bag of Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer to try out!  What is Funk Rock (Information is the content of rockingreensoap.com)?

Product Description

Do you have the funk? Stinkies? Ammonia problems? Diapers that make your eyes water? Have you considered a kryptonite lined diaper pail to contain the smell of your dirty diapers?
Did fluffy or fido have an accident on your bunny slippers? Dealing with the dreaded toddler pee?

You need funk rock! This 100% natural compound is unlike anything you have tried before. It targets funk at the source and leaves no prisoners. Just 4 tablespoons is enough to de-funk up to 20 diapers in one sitting. A little to your pre-wash to keep the stinkies from coming back. That’s right, this 16 ounce bag will keep the diaper funk away for over two months!

Phosphate Free – Enzyme Free – SLS Free

Conveniently (well sort of) Emmett ended up with a wicked diaper rash last week and we needed super strength cream that I just don't trust on my CD so we switched to disposables for a few days while it cleared up.  I accidentally forgot about the bag of stinkers....for FIVE days.  Ahhhh CRAP!!  Literally!

It was time to put Funk Rock to the test! 

I followed the directions on the package.  Put 4 tablespoons into warm or hot water and add your diapers.  You are lucky smell-o-vision does not exist.  My eyes were watering the ammonia on these guys was so bad.  I knew well enough to take a big breath and just dump those dipes into the wash.  I could smell the barnyard from 4 feet away!

Filling up the washing machine

I let it soak for 60 minutes and then washed as usual.

Stinkers ready to go!

My final verdict?  A God send!  You would never know that these diapers were the same ones I threw into the washing machine!  I also threw in 3 diapers that were waiting to be stripped because the build up and barnyard smell on them was so bad.  They also smell brand new!

I did the ultimate sniff test on the biggest offenders of the bunch...I know who they were because there are still some stains on them - nothing a little sun bleaching won't take care of!   Watermelon fresh (not from the Funk Rock, we use the watermelon scented RG detergent). 

Funk Rock receives hands down 5 Stars from this family.  We may never have to strip our diapers again!  Thanks Rockin Green!