Stained reusable nappies

Mumto2

Hi,
Need a few ideas on how to sort out the nappies. I have a full birth-potty set of Motherease nappies which I used for my first 2 children with no problems. I hadn't thought at that point there would be a 'number 3', so I lent them to a friend for her child.

Well, 'number 3' is here now and she has returned them to me. The problem is, they are really stained and smell. Don't know what she washed them in. I used one and as soon as it got wet, it smelt. I have washed them at 95 degrees and dried outside, but don't seem much better.

Anyone got any ideas as I'd really hoped I was in for a free nappy ride this time round (also still using disposables which I hadn't intended).

Thanks

arwenelf

Hi,
try washing them again with vinegar in the final rinse and then leave them to dry outside in the sunshine - the sun usually bleaches out any stains on mine although mine are more a terry type fabric. I know that bicarb of soda should help with the smell as well but not sure if it is a goood idea to mix that with vinegar - lots and lots and lots of bubbles :eek: :eek: :eek:

Hope this helps a bit!

joannasmum

They could be full of detergent. It kind of holds the smells in. Try giving them several washes with no detergent and watch the foam appear! I agree that sun is the best stain remover.

HTH

soupdragon52

try soaking in bleach and then wash twice after a good rinse (and dont loan out again- I opted for two babies, ten years later I had another two - not sure how that happened lol)

Morty_007too

definately agree with washing them a couple of times with no detergent. I had the exact same problem you are describing with smelly nappies to the extent that I took DS to the GP because I thought he had a UTI! :eek:

Luckilly, I had heard the advice about detergent retained in nappies that morning so we didn't need to go any further down the treatment route because once I had washed the nappioes they were fine again. As for staining, the sun is the best bleach I ever found. Laty them out so the stains get hit by full sun and after a few days they should be good as new....well...as good as new as they can be after 4 children in them! :eek: :T thats great money saving

full-time-mum

How about popping them in the washing machine with a large cup of soda crystals?

Can't see it doing any harm and it might just get rid of whatever is lurking.
Could it be that your friend used fabric conditioner? My mum always reckons her towels are 'slimy' when damp if she used conditioner.

Mummyl2007

Rinsing them in bicarbonate of soda and drying in the sunshine is a great idea as this will naturally bleach them. I also found handy hints and tips on a cool website called babygroe that give good hints on all different types of real nappies and how to look after them for future generations!!

Mummyl2007

I would wash in soda crystals first then in ecover washing powder - great idea to dry in the sun as this naturally bleaches. I found a cool website called babygroe which gives handy hints and tips on real nappies - all the different types as well as caring for them for future generations!!

Craftynclothy

Sounds like a build up of detergent so wash a few times with nothing in the machine. If we get any sun then putting them out in that should get rid of stains.

If you get the detergent build up out of them and can't get rid of the stains you could dye them to make them look pretty!