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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

aibu to never wash my dd's comforter?

47 replies

minidisco · 12/11/2014 17:22

My 1year old has a teddy that has horns, and she sucks the horns throughout the day when she is upset, plus she uses it as a sleep aid. She has done this for about 6 months, and I have obviously washed it several times during this period! Normally when I wash it, I replace it with one of the spares, as I have a further two identical teddies. However, over the last month she has rejected the other two, and will only have the manky, smelly one! When I give her a clean one, she gives it a cursory suck and flings it over her shoulder \out of the cot, and howls for the dirty one. I have tried keeping the two clean ones in her cot, plus in bed with me so that they smell familier. I have also (can't believe that I am admitting this!) put baby milk in my mouth and then sucked the horns of the clean teddy's, to make it smell right Blush. She still rejects them!

So, aibu to not wash the original teddy, but spray it daily with an antibacterial spray that can be used on toys?

OP posts:
atticusclaw · 12/11/2014 17:24

Yes, wash it. She will either go back to or it will break the attachment and she'll move onto something else. It will get really manky if she sucks it and you never wash it and you really don't want her sucking on antibac spray.

hoppus · 12/11/2014 17:27

I think you need to wash it now and again. If it was a plastic object a wipe with a milton wipe would do but a soft, porous teddy will be revolting.

LadyLuck10 · 12/11/2014 17:27

You definitely have to wash it op. It's manky, she can't be putting this continuously in her mouth when it's accumulating dirt. Can you try when she's asleep? And tumble dry for a quick dry.

Original poster
minidisco · 12/11/2014 17:31

Its the smell, she will reject it once it is clean, like she rejects the identical clean ones!

OP posts:
Original poster
minidisco · 12/11/2014 17:32

I was hoping the antibacterial spray would kill all germs, and make it safe?

OP posts:
ShutUpLegs · 12/11/2014 17:41

Mine did this with her beloved muslin clothes. The trick is not to let them go manky, rotate and wash them regularly and I used to tuck a clean one down my top for half an hour so - she seemed happier if it was smelling a bit of me rather than detergent.

Or have three on the go - the one she uses, one clean one knocking about the cot getting "ready" and one in the wash. When you take the in-use one away, the knocking about the cot one will be preferable to the totally clean.

I wouldn't be happy for her to be sucking on anti-bac spray.

hoppus · 12/11/2014 17:45

Can you carry it around for a bit so it smells of you rather than just clean? Or put it in your bed for a night first. Not saying you smell dirty! But it might help.

bigTillyMint · 12/11/2014 17:45

We had this for 12 years! Only it was a muslin square and it was the tag in particular. DS hated me to wash it or, God forbid, replace it with a new one. I used to put new/clean ones into his bed for a week or two before removing the smelly, dirty one.

Actually, just as ShutUpLegs says!

DS stopped wanting his 2 weeks after his 12th birthday when his voice brokeGrin

formerbabe · 12/11/2014 18:05

I wash my dd's teddy in her dolls bath with her helping. She lays out a towel for him and we use some plain hand soap and a dash of antiseptic disinfectant...he smells lovely after!

cheesecakemom · 12/11/2014 18:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

StealthPotato · 12/11/2014 18:15

The thought / sight of kids sucking on manky soft comforters makes me retch. DS had a 'herd' of three giraffe comforters which were snatched ninja style from him as he slept and then washed on regular rotation. I used to put them down my top as someone up thread said to get rid of the oh-so-offensive fresh smell Hmm

eltsihT · 12/11/2014 18:17

Can you involve them in the washing? My ds is very attached to his blanket.

When blankie gets dirty or starts to smell I get ds to put it in the washing machine (30 min cycle) and then put the soap in and push the play button. He then takes it out and hangs it on the radiator.

The first time he cried the whole time it was in the washing but since then he has joined in and even tells me now when it needs washed.

Goingintohibernation · 12/11/2014 18:17

YABU. I am far from a clean freak, but it will get revolting very quickly. DS used to have a selection of blankets he used to suck. He hated me washing them, but it was non negotiable, and he did accept it, with some complaining.

SassySugarCane · 12/11/2014 18:21

Just wash it and give over being so precious. If she rejects it she rejects it, she will move on don't worry.

Original poster
minidisco · 12/11/2014 18:25

She's only one, so I can't really involve her in the process! The antibacterial spray does say that it us safe for children's toys\comfortors, but I do realise it's not ideal, hence my post!

She is going to have to go cold turkey, I will give her one of the clean ones that she keeps rejecting tonight, and put the manky one in the wash.

I have tried to use a rotation method, but she is too clever and realises I am trying to dupe her! Wink

OP posts:
StealthPotato · 12/11/2014 18:50

So she's only one therefore can't be involved in the washing process, but she's clever enough to realise you're 'trying to dupe her'...?

Hmmmm...I'm inclined to agree with sassy on this one Grin

She'll be fine Smile

Suefla62 · 12/11/2014 18:54

My GS has "george" who is now 10 1/2. He's so delicate that he only gets washed when he's tied up in a pillowcase (so all of his arms and legs stay attached). He's had surgery twice (to replace his stuffing), but George still visits when GS does, even though he only sits on the end of the bed. It's really very sweet.

NellysKnickers · 12/11/2014 18:57

Wash it. My sister had a comforter that stank to high heaven as she wouldn't allow it to be washed. It was rank, still makes me gag just thinking about it. WASH IT.

gimcrack · 12/11/2014 19:46

Wash it. She'll come round.

Honsandrevels · 12/11/2014 19:52

Just wash it and say it needed a bath. At some point she is going to vomit on it or drop it down the toilet and a bit of anti-bac spray isn't going to cut it.

Both my dds have comforters so I understand how hard it is but really, they need washing!

eltsihT · 12/11/2014 19:53

Yeah my ds was about 1 when he started helping wash his blankie, you should give her more credit and tell her what's going on.

Libitina · 12/11/2014 19:53

Can teddy have a bath with her and she can wash his 'hair' when you do hers?

Keep the spare as a dry one when she gets out of the bath?

atticusclaw · 12/11/2014 19:54

Wait until she's asleep and then take it, wash it and dry it and then replace it whilst she's sleeping. I think the idea of putting the clean one next to her every night for a few nights first is a good one. She'll hopefully find that one smells ok.

mausmaus · 12/11/2014 19:57

I would wash it with just s spoonful of soda crystal as they don't smell and leave the item soft.
but I would wash it regularly.

MetroMonkey · 12/11/2014 20:02

I think that even though she's only one, there's a good chance you must be able to involve her in the 'bathing' of her comforter. Maybe bath some other toys first?

Also, try using scent free soap so when you do wash it, it doesn't stink of fragrance.

Good luck! Smile