nappies in dryer are smelly

[Susan Mac]

Now that wet season is upon us, I'm having to dry my nappies in the dryer.

But they are really smelly after going in there! I've tried washing on a hot wash if I know they have to go in the dryer, but that isn't helping.

Normally I wash on cold and hang them in the sun for as long as I can.

Any tips?

[jennababe]

usually things in the dryer smell better, i dont put washing outside but i have a clothes rack for washing to be hung out do u have one of those?

u can get dryer sheets, there like a square (cant even think of what there made out of) just in washing section in thr shops. and yeah u chuck one in when the dyers on! they smell great

[gremily]

usually things in the dryer smell better, i dont put washing outside but i have a clothes rack for washing to be hung out do u have one of those?

u can get dryer sheets, there like a square (cant even think of what there made out of) just in washing section in thr shops. and yeah u chuck one in when the dyers on! they smell great


Unfortunately, nappies need sunshine to help reduce smells. Using the dryer as a "sometimes" thing is fine, but when used all the time most people find that smells usually occur.


A clothes rack is a fantastic idea. Hanging them on a verandah, or inside near a window so they get some sun, would be good. Dry as long as you can then finish off in the dryer.


The dryer sheets, by my understanding, are sheets of fabric softener. Definitely a no-no.

[reAllytee]

Yep they need sunlight !

I had this problem last winter as our back courtyard gets no sun through this period so we had very smelly nappies.

I invested in a clothes rack they can be wheeled about so i now pop it onto the front verandah where it can get some sun even if just for a few hours before using the dryer or leaving them inside in the warmth.

[Susan Mac]

hmm... will have to work something out. Our patio is all shaded by midday.... And if it is raining it's usually several days worth.... and the part of the patio that would possibly get sun is getting rained on....

[reAllytee]

hmm... will have to work something out. Our patio is all shaded by midday.... And if it is raining it's usually several days worth.... and the part of the patio that would possibly get sun is getting rained on....

Yeah i can imagine it would be hard i lived in Darwin when i was younger so i have an idea ....

Umm what about a room inside ? Do you have one that would get quite a lot of light & stays warm to help them dry. This way you could stand the airer near a window.

[Susan Mac]

That's a good idea. I think I may have just the window for it....

[tishsmum]

We get that after using the drier for a while over winter but also with detergent build up. Try running the clean nappies through another hot wash with no detergent and see how many bubbles are still present.

We've had more trouble with the new machine with auto sensing water level, it's just not designed for cloth nappies :hissy:

[tanni_83]

:yes: this has been our problen too!! time to get the airer out!!

[Tea Lady]

I find it helps to put fewer nappies in the washing machine (I tend to overload it a bit!) so that the water can really swish around properly. I've also had to fiddle with what detergents I use - sometimes a change of brand can help nappies be less smelly. That anti fungal rinse seems to help a bit too.

The other thing I find is that if they've sat in the machine for a little while in warm weather they get a bit stinky, and nothing will shift it.

HTH :)

[Susan Mac]

nope, it's only the dryer that is making them smelly.
Normally I hang them in the sun, and we have an auto-sensing water level and have worked out just the right amount of detergent to use.

I guess I might just have to deal with it!!! Wet season isn't that long... and it doesn't rain the whole six months. (when i was living overseas it rained 360 days of the year, I guess I shouldn't complain.)