Amonia smell?

[Spewiesmum]

we use BBH and for the past month and a half I have noticed a really strong (over-powering) smell of amonia (not sure if that's what it is) towards the bottom of the nappy bucket.

We use the bucket till it's full and then a large wetbag then wash - approximately every three days. We've used BBH since March and the smell is only just occuring.

Once the nappies are out of the bucket and are washed everything is fine.

Would using pail pals help? I'm inclined to think not really.

I also thought about using the wetbag first and then the nappy bucket but because of the way our laundry is set up, that just isn't possible.

Should I ditch the bucket and just use wetbags so the nappies can breathe a little?

Does anyone else have problems with toxic smells?

We also get fluoro green poo stains on the nappies that are in the bottom of the bucket. They wash out no problems.

[PunkyDiva]

Not sure exactly what you are doing but I always rinsed dirty nappies off and put them to soak in a bucket of water with a cup of white vinegar and washed when the bucket was full.
Leaving any poo on the nappies will get into your washing machine and grow things so I always cleaned them off well, one of those sprayie things in the toilet is useful I hear as I just used to hold the nappy by one corner and flush sometimes losing my grip and the nappy down the loo not good for pipes:o

[Spewiesmum]

All the poo is removed with a Little Squirt and then we dry pail. I'm wondering if because the nappies are wetter because of this there could be cause for the smell? I do wring them out though...

did that make sense???

[Rainbowbrite]

It could just be the heat. I know MJs bin (we use a bullet bin instead of a bucket) smells more lately & we use GK & flats.

Try sprinkling bicarb in the bucket :thumbsup:

[Spewiesmum]

ah bi-carb...the old fashioned remedy for everything and anything. Excellent idea!

[Zada]

my bucket smells exactly the same!!! sooo gross lol
we use bbh too

[CurlyG]

I just used to hold the nappy by one corner and flush sometimes losing my grip and the nappy down the loo not good for pipes:o[/quote]

LMAO! The mental picture....woops there goes another one... LOL! I suppose flushing your MCNs down the loo could be used as a legitimate excuse to buy more? "Oh honey, I flushed another four today, must replace those..." LOL! Works for me :D :laughing: :laughing:

[PunkyDiva]

Maybe a spray bottle with vinegar and give them a squirt after rinsing so it's being disinfected whilst waiting to be washed?? Vinegar is a natural bleach and disinfectant and the smell disapates very quickly although sometimes I use too much cleaning the tiles in shower and my nostril linings burn, so still need to be careful with natural things. Eucalyptus spray is good too and smells a bit nicer, I use Bosistos Euc Spray from Safeways for everything from cuts to disinfecting to killing mites on bed linen or removing stains from clothing.

[pookiesossige]

I'd be wary of using vinegar repeatedly around BB's- according to the manufacturer it contributes to the deterioration of the leg elastic (same with pockets). Apparently it's fine every now and then (as with bi-carb) but certainly not good for nappies to soak in etc. This is according to the BBB product info and Nuture Nappies booklet I have here...

[PunkyDiva]

Sorry, I'm still in old fashioned land with nappies that you fold yourself I didn't even know they came with pockets etc but it has been a while since I've actually had one in nappies and I used disposables as getting anything dry in UK is impossible and utilities cost a fortune so I just added to their pollution problems:o

[Lunar]

My nappies smell like this to after 2-3 days sitting there. I think it is the urine, some very strong urine can have high amonia levels there fore sitting in the heat and and increasing in smell. I just try to rinse them off a bit before I put in the bucket.

[Mor]

Is it possible your child is teething at all?

We find there is an eye burning smell in Matthew's nappies at any time of year if he is teething. The heat doesn't help, but it deff. correlates with teething. When he isn't we don't notice it, when he is, my gosh, it burns your eyes!

It's nothing to do with the brand of nappy (we have lots of brands and styles), but the wee in the fabric. Hemp and cotton seem to do it more than bamboo.

I don't find there's a lot I can do when it happens, it doesn't last forever, so I just put the exhaust in the laundry on or open the window, etc. and throw them in the machine.

[susiehomemaker]

lol- Laura's nappies get nose burning ammonia qualities if they are left to sit for any length of time! I just rinse the nappies out as I take them off her (I keep a bucket of water from her bath aside for the purpose) before I put them in the bucket. I agree with Mor- hemp seems to be worse than the bamboo (going off the nappies I just rinsed that I was slack about rinsing as I went on the weekend)

[Spewiesmum]

That's an interesting theory Mor. DS has had a tooth come through recently but I don't recall if it correlated with the smell's arrival. You are right - it burns your eyes (and throat and lungs). I will pay attention to his mouth over the next few weeks.

I'm thinking it's possible the heat has something to do with it. Only the nappies towards the bottom of the bucket reek. Our laundry is part of our kitchen so we don't have a window to open, but it's a very large ventilated area anyway.

I've sprinkled the bottom of the bucket with bi-carb and I'll see what happens in a few days when I next wash them.

I guess the worst part is removing them from the bucket - I worry about the noxious smell. But it's only for a few minutes until the machine starts.

[stellaj]

I know the smell :eek: I have a scrap of material and put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on in and put it in the bottom of the bucket. Smells like toothpaste now!

[pookiesossige]

Sorry, I'm still in old fashioned land with nappies that you fold yourself I didn't even know they came with pockets etc but it has been a while since I've actually had one in nappies and I used disposables as getting anything dry in UK is impossible and utilities cost a fortune so I just added to their pollution problems:o

Hee hee! That's ok! Don't be :o !!!

[pookiesossige]

I know the smell :eek: I have a scrap of material and put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on in and put it in the bottom of the bucket. Smells like toothpaste now!

I don't have peppermint oil, but the other day I used lime essence- worked great, but evaporated away during the day (even with the lid on tight) and I forgot to do it again today. Getting meself some peppermint oil now!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Mor- yep, full-on teething here and just noticed the strength of nappy whiff recently- pheeeeww!! it really knocks me over the head when I walk into the laundry.. thanks for clearing that up!!

[waawa]

Just a note on peppermint essential oil. On some fabric taped to the lid of your nappy bucket might work well. But be careful about getting it in the wash - if you do, be sure to rinse it out very thoroughly. Menthol on the bits is No Fun.

Lara