Ammonia in Cloth Diapers: Causes, Prevention & How to Get Rid of It

Cloth diapers are simple and reliable, until you're hit with that sharp, eye-watering smell.

If a freshly wet diaper smells so strong it feels like it's singeing your nose hairs, you're likely dealing with ammonia in cloth diapers.

Ammonia build-up can disrupt your diapering routine and irritate your baby's skin. The good news? It's completely manageable once you understand what causes it and how to prevent it.

Let's break down the science, and how exactly to fix it.

What Causes Ammonia in Cloth Diapers?

Ammonia is a chemical byproduct of urea, which our bodies naturally produce and release in urine.

When urine is diluted (for example, when babies drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently), urea doesn't have much time to convert into ammonia. But when urine sits in a warm, moist environment (like a pail or bag) urea quickly breaks down into ammonia, creating that strong, unmistakable smell.

Why it's More Common in Older Babies

You may not notice ammonia build-up much with young infants because:

• They are changed more frequently
• They consume breast milk or formula
• Their urine is more diluted due to a liquid diet

However, once babies:

• Start eating solid foods
• Sleep through the night
• Go longer between diaper changes

Their urine becomes more concentrated and sits longer in the diaper. Overnight diapers are often the biggest contributors to ammonia smell in diapers.

Why Ammonia in Cloth Diapers Is a Problem

Ammonia isn't just unpleasant, it can irritate your baby's skin.

Signs of ammonia irritation include:

• Flat, red rashes
• Persistent skin redness
• Open sores in severe cases

In extreme situations, babies can develop what's commonly called an ammonia burn, which is actually a chemical burn caused by prolonged exposure to concentrated ammonia.

If you detect a strong ammonia smell in your diapers, it's important to address it quickly to prevent worsening irritation.

How to Prevent Ammonia Build-up in Cloth Diapers

Yes, ammonia can be prevented.

If your baby tends to have strong-smelling diapers, try these proven prevention strategies:

1. Pre-Rinse Wet Diapers

One of the best ways to prevent ammonia build-up is to rinse urine out immediately.

Use a diaper sprayer or rinse diapers in the sink after changing. Removing urine before laundry day prevents it from sitting and converting to ammonia.

Bonus: Diapers that sit too long without rinsing can become harder to fully clean. If you're washing every few days and noticing ammonia smell, pre-rinsing can make a significant difference.

2. Keep Your Baby Hydrated

Hydration plays a role in ammonia levels.

The more diluted the urine, the less concentrated the urea and the less ammonia is produced. Ensuring your baby drinks adequate fluids can help reduce ammonia in cloth diapers.

3. Wash in Very Hot Water

Very hot washes can kill ammonia-causing bacteria, as long as there isn't already a heavy build-up.

If needed, you can temporarily raise your hot water heater temperature to 140°F (60°C) when washing cloth diapers. Washing at this temperature helps eliminate bacteria and reduce ammonia odor.

How to Get Rid of Ammonia in Cloth Diapers

If ammonia smell is already present, prevention alone won't solve it. You need to ensure your diapers are being thoroughly cleaned.

Check Your Detergent First

A common cause of ammonia build-up is insufficient cleaning power.

Boutique and homemade detergents are increasingly popular, but most do not have the strength required to fully clean heavily soiled cloth diapers, especially as babies get older and urine becomes more concentrated.

These detergents may seem effective during the newborn months, but likely won't hold up over time.

The Solution

• Switch to a high-quality detergent capable of fully cleaning diapers in one wash cycle
• Add a few extra rinses if needed

Chlorine bleach can help eliminate ammonia, but it should be considered a last resort. Always try improving your wash routine and detergent strength first. 

The Bottom Line

Ammonia can feel overwhelming, especially when it leads to strong smells or skin irritation. But it does not mean cloth diapering isn't working.

With: 

• Prompt rinsing
• Proper hydration
• Hot washes
• A strong, effective detergent

You can prevent and eliminate ammonia build-up.

You chose cloth for a reason. With the right wash routine, staying ammonia-free is absolutely achievable.

FAQ:

Q: What causes ammonia in cloth diapers?
A: Ammonia forms when urea in urine sits in a warm environment and breaks down over time, creating a strong smell.

Q: How can I tell if my cloth diapers have ammonia build-up?
A: If a wet diaper smells extremely strong, sharp enough to "sting" your nose, it's a common sign of ammonia build-up.

Q: Why is ammonia more common in older babies?
A: Ammonia is often less noticeable in young infants because they're changed more frequently and have more diluted urine on a liquid diet. It can become more common once babies start solids and sleep longer overnight.

Q: Are overnight cloth diapers more likely to smell like ammonia?
A: Yes. Overnight diapers are common offenders because urine sits in the diaper longer until morning.

Q: Can ammonia in cloth diapers cause diaper rash?
A: Yes. Ammonia can cause flat, red rashes that may become sever and lead to open sores. In extreme cases, it can cause an "ammonia burn", which is a chemical burn.

Q: Can ammonia build-up in cloth diapers be prevented?
A: Yes. Prevention steps include pre-rinsing wet diapers, keeping your baby well hydrated to reduce urine concentration, and using very hot washes (when there isn't already a heavy build-up).

Q: Should I rinse wet cloth diapers to prevent ammonia?
A: Rinsing wet diapers right after changing removes urine before it can sit and convert into ammonia, especially if laundry day is a few days away. 

Q: Does hydration help reduce ammonia in cloth diapers?
A: Yes. When urine is less concentrated, there's less ammonia present.

Q: Can hot water get rid of ammonia in cloth diapers?
A: Very hot washes can help kill ammonia-causing bacteria as long as there isn't already a heavy build-up. Some people temporarily raise their hot water heater to 140°F (60°C) for washing.

Q: Do eco-friendly or homemade detergents work for ammonia in cloth diapers?
A: They may seem to work at first, but they often don't have enough strength to properly clean heavily soiled, ammonia-filled diapers, especially as babies get older and urine becomes more concentrated.

Q: Should I use bleach for ammonia in cloth diapers?
A: Chlorine bleach can help, but it's recommended as a last resort. Try extra rinses with a quality detergent first.