Stripping diapers is one of the parts of cloth diapering that everyone dreads. When we found out that we were having issues with the detergent I had purchased I had to do something. So I played around and finally found a fool proof stripping method. Amanda asked that I share it here with all of you. I hope it might help some of you.
~ Unless specified I used the hot water wash/cold water rinse setting on my washer. Our hot water is set very high so I think that helps.
~ Also, unless specified I used my washer’s Stain Fighting setting. It adds an extra 30 minutes of agitation and soaking to the longest wash setting. If you don’t have it the longest wash setting will work but you might have to run it a time or two more.
~ If the diapers are REALLY bad and stink of ammonia right away then I might run a Wash/Rinse cycle only with a full cup of vinegar or a half a cup of bleach.
~ I only have a top loader, I have never stripped in a HE.
1. Start with clean diapers. Add 1 tbsp of Dawn & 1 packet of RLR to the diapers in the washer. Add a full pot of boiling water. (I used a very full tea kettle because it’s easier for me to carry down the stairs.) Run full cycle.
2. Run another full cycle or two.
3. Switch water to Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle and do a normal wash cycle. (skip the soak & agitate part)
4. Repeat at least once and check for bubbles during the rinse. If there are still a lot of bubbles go back to the step 2. If bubbles are decreased a lot then go to step 5.
5. Add another packet of RLR and another pot of hot water. Run full cycle again (soak & agitate too).
6. Run another full cycle or two.
7. Repeat at least once and check for bubbles during the rinse. If there are still a lot of bubbles go back to the step 2. If bubbles are decreased a lot then go to step 8.
8. Add pot of boiling water to washer and run another full cycle and check for bubbles. I even stop the washer, let things settle and see if there is any residue/soap scum floating on the water. If there is none then rinse one more time and go to Step 10.
9. If there is still soap scum/residue/ bubbles that are not agitation bubbles then do another wash & rinse cycle (skip the soak & agitation cycle). I would keep stopping the machine to see if there is residue. When it looks clean and clean I would run one more rinse only.
10. Dry diapers. You should be done. 
Repeat the following process twice (the entire process including drying):
Run your covers and diapers through a wash with only hot water
Run a second wash using 1/2 cup baking soda or washing soda and 1/2 cup vinegar in this second wash.
1/2 cup vinegar again in first rinse cycle.
Run a second rinse cycle with plain hot water.
Dry covers in dryer.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
What is RLR?
RLR is just RLR, from all I've read it stands for nothing :
Here's a link
http://www.cadie.com/laundry.html
Oh, thank you.
I'm forever trying to stay “up” on CDing acronyms!
You're welcome
It's weird to have an acronym like that and it just be that. I imagine at some point in time, it stood for something, but I can't find it anywhere.
Very new to CDing. Why “strip”? Is this for times when you've accidentally used diaper cream or something like that? Should you strip on a regular basis? I use your home-made mix (divine by the way – I was already doing home-made reg detergent – worked out perfect!). Your stuff seems to work perfectly.
I'm happy that you like the detergents! You've pretty much hit the nail on the head about stripping.
Stripping is only needed if the diapers aren't working properly. Maybe some cream, accidental use of soap or fabric softener, possibly detergent buildup. I rarely strip, probably just a few times in 2.5 years. Using a detergent that works for you is key, in my experience.
Hi there. We are using your detergent recipe and it seems to be working fantastically! However, on occasion all of a sudden after a batch of diaper laundry has been done they will all smell stinky after she’s peed in them. This doesn’t happen all the time. Should I strip the diapers or do you think too much detergent is causing a buildup and making them stinky? Need help troubleshooting. Thanks!
I messaged you on this on FB and just now saw this link. Thank you for posting this. I am going to do this but have one question. Since I have a septic tank, I cannot use bleach, so should I use only vinegar?
I’m glad I found this post. I think I may have an ammonia build up in my diapers. They come out smelling clean (I use your detergent recipe which has worked great!) but as soon as my daughter pees it reeks strongly of ammonia. The only other thing I can think is that I’ve been told when babies are teething their pee has a stronger ammonia smell. I think I’ll try stripping to see if it helps at all. Thanks!