Getting the Smell Out After a Diaper Explosion

Updated on August 15, 2010
R.S. asks from Jackson, NJ
17 answers

Hey lovely mamas!

Last week my son had what must have been the worst diaper blowout in American baby history. He had a mild stomach bug, and also, somehow in the middle of the night a tab on his overnight diaper came undone, and in the morning he was practically coated in stool from the waist down (sorry for the visual). As a result, he soiled a pajama bottom, two blankets, and one of those waterproof crib covers (thank goodness I had one in place!)

After 3 soaks, 3 pre-washes, and 2 "heavy duty" washes, all the soiled laundry looks clean, but they still smell slightly of poop. I really don't know what to do anymore.

I don't care about his bottom and the waterproof cover, but the two blankets are gifts from family friends and I love them so much, I really would prefer not to discard them.

Any suggestions on how to get the smell out? Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Don't know if anyone is still reading this...but I ended up drying them in my backyard and that worked! I also love the idea of tea tree oil - I will try that next time as well. Thanks a lot moms!

Featured Answers

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Hang them on the clothes line. Or just lay them out in the sun. The sun does and amazing job and getting rid of funk in clothes.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from New York on

I always use baking soda in my wash. I put about a cup in with some detergent. My 19 month olds clothes are reletively clean, no stains. It should work with those poopy clothes! We've had a few clow outs and not smell or stains, well maybe a few stains on whites from poop.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Try pet products.

Or try soaking it in a bucket with vinegar... and/or baking soda..

Or, leave it out in the sun outside, all day... sun is natural deodorizer.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

vinegar in the wash usually does it for us!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Denver on

Baking soda in the wash works well...

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Soak in a baking soda wash and then set outside to dry.

1 mom found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

Combinde all these. Vinager with baking soda in the was and then line dry. after that wash it again with normal laundry soap and in the dryer (the last wash is just to get rid of the air dried feeling, which I hate. Love the sun, just not the crispyness that it gives fabrics)

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C.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would put a bit of bleach in the laundry or use Tide with bleach. A little bit of bleach works wonders.

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A.C.

answers from Detroit on

Yep. Vinegar does the trick for just about any smell.

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S.M.

answers from New York on

if you want to go mainstream I would try borax and white vinegar as they help, but if you have a health food store or vitamin shoppe nearby go pick up a small bottle of tea tree oil. Add a few drops to the water once the washer is full and let it run through (you don't even need to add soap). It really helps with laundry odors and also disinfects. good luck!

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J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

Soak in the washer with baking soda, then wash. Repeat if needed. Line drying is a good idea too. The dryer sets in smells as well as stains! :)

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C.Z.

answers from Albany on

Try putting white distilled vinegar in the wash. I use it to get rid of the urine smell. It may work for the other too.

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M.H.

answers from New York on

I use fresh lemons in the washer.. Cut a small hole in a lemon and as the water is running into the washer, squeeze the lemon into the water (very little detergent added in). Let it soak for about 20 minutes, and then wash, the smell will be gone.. I hope this helps you..

Bluefyre

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Baking soda and white vinegar. Yes, it works!!! There's an additional benefit that it will not ruin the clothes! Put about a cup of each in the wash with the least amount of water and let soak for a couple hours. Finish the wash, then cycle through the wash again with nothing in it (not even soap).

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R.B.

answers from New York on

Have you tried hanging them outside in the sun?

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T.D.

answers from New York on

I think the sun is pretty amazing when it comes to stuff like this. Dry them in the sun a couple of times after washing and see how that works.

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Vinegar will do the trick! Put the "smelly" items in the wash on what ever normal cycle you would run with them. Then before you start the wash add 1 cup of vinegar to the water. It takes the smell away, it won't harm the items and they will not smell like vinegar when they are finished washing.

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