How do I get the smell of wee out of DCs school shorts?

[magneticmumbles]

DC has continence issues. I found a pair of his school shorts in a plastic bag at the bottom of the laundry basket that had sat there for a week over half term (DH very kindly left them there). They were washed as normal and came out smelling of stale wee. I've tried a stain remover spray, neat bio detergent, a hotter wash, extra rinses, strong smelling detergent and fabric softener, etc and I can still smell it. They've been washed 4 times now. It smells better, but it's still there. Does anyone have any suggestions to get this smell out? Everything else is coming out of the washing machine fine.

Yes, but it's wasteful to buy new when something can be cleaned.

Always cold water soak for biological stains/smells

Bicarb and vinegar are very good ideas.

You don't need to think about killing bacteria (remember it's an advertising slogan, not an actual issue) as detergent ok do that (just like washing your hands properly with soap means you don't need anti-bac)

Hanging out on line for several days and night, especially if it's raining, shouid do it too.

I'd buy a new pair. But dettol laundry clenser gets the smell of horse piss out of my clothes.

You don't need to think about killing bacteria (remember it's an advertising slogan, not an actual issue)

I know this, but Dettol laundry cleanser is the business when it comes to getting rid of the smell of pee and poo, and I normally use vinegar and bicarb for everything!

Yes its magical stuff.

I've got a product called "urine destroyer" from Wilkos to treat cat wee, I wonder if that is worth a try for kiddy wee? It has enzymes to break down the urine and remove the smell, particularly important for cats who use smell to determine if a place is a toilet or not

Yes, but it's wasteful to buy new when something can be cleaned.

I kind of see your point, but the energy used to put on the washing machine, the plastic bottles that various products come in and the energy used to make and transport them to the shops... The difference is negligible I would think.

I agree, hot wash probably set the smell. I would do as a pp suggested and hang them out on the line for a few days to air them out.

"....the energy used to put on the washing machine ...."

But surely no-one wouid wash just a single item? That's just profligate (unless handwashing, of course)

No need to separate different types of bodily effluvium. Just soak then wash together. If repeat needed, the item is out of scripting until the next load is generated