They STINK!!

**DreamBelieveAchieve** · 03-06-2009 21:38

How do i stop my nappies from smelling? I have some that i have washed 3 times and they still stink!

Advice please.. I have a front loader

**saremc** · 03-06-2009 21:41

Try some vinager it works like fabric softener and it will make them smell better if you can hang them out on the line in the sun always helps with the smell if need be after they are dry rewash them. HTH

**babysus** · 03-06-2009 21:43

What detergent are you using? Do you do a rinse cycle first?
I suggest perhaps even doing 2 rinse cycles before doing the wash?
I have started using Earth Choice detergent, it's really good and I love the smell. And it's environmentally friendly too.

**Benji** · 03-06-2009 21:54

I was having the same problem recently, I switched to Eco Choice washing powder for front loader and put the machine on "super wash" and it seems to have fixed the problem

**JabberJaw** · 03-06-2009 21:57

They just need a good day in the sun. It will rid the smells guaranteed.

I chase the sun round my backyard on a clothes horse and have been known to hang them over the fence to get the full effects of sunshine

**Tam-I-Am** · 03-06-2009 21:58

Vinegar's really bad for PUL, it's not recommended at all. I'd do a strip wash if I were you.

**saremc** · 03-06-2009 22:10

oh woops lol i have the old terry flats i fold myself like towels.

**DreamBelieveAchieve** · 03-06-2009 22:21

Originally Posted by Tam-I-Am

Vinegar's really bad for PUL, it's not recommended at all. I'd do a strip wash if I were you.

whats a strip wash? sorry, excuse my ignorance

**Tam-I-Am** · 03-06-2009 22:51

No problem sarahmc

Most people don't know!

DBA - From the OzClothNappies website:

Residue and Strip Washing
A caution if you use your normal detergent is to watch for residue build up which can cause nappies to smell or repel liquid, or cause an irritant nappy rash. To fix this you can just rinse until the nappies do not produce suds - keep on checking the washing machine outlet. If you're in an area with severe water restrictions and are using flats or prefolds, you might consider boiling the nappies instead. I've even heard of people who have put them in their dishwasher, but watch that you don't use dishwasher detergent, you rinse well, and that they can't fall onto the outlet filter or element.

Strip Wash: If you get a particularly bad buildup of wash product residue, you can "strip" your nappies with very very hot water and a little bit of plain (non-moisturising) dishwashing liquid. Don't use dishwashing liquid in a front loader, and check care instructions before using extremely hot water on modern cloth nappies. Watch for over-foaming, and rinse nappies very thoroughly afterwards until absolutely no suds remain.

Another way to strip wash is to add bicarbonate of soda to the wash, and vinegar to the rinse. Warning: Some nappies cannot be washed using these products, so please check with your nappy manufacturers carefully before trying this.

Some people rotate through two or three different kinds of washing detergent to keep residue issues down. In general, using well under the recommended amount of detergent helps stop residue from bulding up in the first place!
Another possible cause of buildup on a nappy is the use of thick barrier creams. These are generally unnecessary if the nappy is changed often enough. If you do experience this problem, you may need to scrub the nappy inner with a nailbrush and a little washing-up liquid before continuing with the strip wash procedure above.

It can also be a case of working out what is right for your baby. If your routine is working, stick with it!