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Help! Reusable nappies falling apart

11 replies

Cellardoor3 · 17/09/2024 20:58

Help! Our reusable nappies are breaking down in the wash! Not sure where we are going wrong but really need to figure this out before we wreck all of them!

We used reusable nappies for DC1 from birth until she potty trained. We had about 10 all in one tots bots nappies which started to breakdown but otherwise had no issues. I contacted Tots bots and they asked us to send the nappies to them, which we did. They couldn't figure out why this was happening but agreed to replace them. The other nappies we had were fine and we continued to use them until she was 2 & 1/2.

Fast forward to DC2 and the same thing is happening again but this time it's not just the tots bots ones it's bambino mio, baba and boo, and some others. Bambino mio agreed to replace the inserts as they were brand new, the others are second hand or ones we used with my daughter so too old to get a replacement.

We wash at 30 with persil non bio. We don't use fabric conditioner. We try to line dry where possible. We do sometimes dry on a heated rack but this didn't cause an issue before and bambino mio said it wouldn't cause the nappies to breakdown.

I thought it might be the velcro pulling at the liners but I've tried washing them separately and it still happens. It also seems to be the lining on the inside that's breaking down.. you can feel how they've gone lumpy/bitty inside even when outer material is intact.

I've attached a photo of some of them, I've thrown the worst ones away already. Does anyone know what might be causing this? I can't keep replacing nappies if this is going to keep happening. I really don't want to use disposables but not sure what to do.

Help! Reusable nappies falling apart
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BoobsOnTheMoon · 17/09/2024 21:11

What are they made from, and did you buy them new? Do you ever strip wash them?

MigGril · 17/09/2024 21:14

Are they bamboo by any chance. Do you dry pail or wet pail them?

modgepodge · 17/09/2024 21:15

How long are you leaving them dirty? Also is 30 hot enough to get them clean? I always thought 40 was recommended, or even 60. I wonder if they’re not getting clean enough so chemicals in urine are damaging them?

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MigGril · 17/09/2024 21:16

modgepodge · 17/09/2024 21:15

How long are you leaving them dirty? Also is 30 hot enough to get them clean? I always thought 40 was recommended, or even 60. I wonder if they’re not getting clean enough so chemicals in urine are damaging them?

Good point I always washed mine at 40 or 60.

MigGril · 17/09/2024 21:18

With an extra rinse for the nappies wash cycle as well as you need to remove as much of the detergent as possible.

bakewellbride · 17/09/2024 21:19

Wash at 40 and do extra rinse as pp suggested

Motherrr · 17/09/2024 22:07

That's strange. How come you're washing so cold - surely 30 isn't enough to remove stains/bacteria? We've got totsbors and always washed at 60.

Could it be anything in your washing machine if it's happening with different brands? Have you done a 90 degree wash to clean out the machine?

Agree with someone else - thenappylady is a good source of info

FamilyStrifeIsHard2Bear · 17/09/2024 22:11

MigGril · 17/09/2024 21:24

The nappy lady always has the best advice on washing.

https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/how-to-wash-reusable-nappies.html

There are strip washing instructions on her site to.

This with bells on.
I've got tots bots nappies I've had from new that have so far lasted me 4+ years of use over 2 children and still in use.
I do several rinses, follow the nappy lady washing instructions to the letter and never had an issue.

HiCandles · 17/09/2024 22:21

Second the nappy lady website. They have a trouble shooting questionnaire you can do. https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/concerns-troubleshooting.html

I suspect it's the washing so cold that it causing ammonia build up. I washed at 40 at first before realising that this was happening and since switching to 60 we've had no problems.

Reusable Nappies Concerns & Troubleshooting - NappyLady

If you need help using your reusable nappies you have come to the right place. Our articles will help you trouble shoot your nappy problems

https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/concerns-troubleshooting.html

Cellardoor3 · 19/09/2024 08:06

Thanks for the replies.

To answer some questions;

  • We dry pail them.
  • I think it is the ones that have bamboo that have been most effected.
  • They are a mix of new and second hand.
  • We wash everything at 30 and use a natural nappy cleanser which claims you can wash at lower temps if used. This didn't cause a problem with my older daughter. We did have one amonia build up but you could smell it and it didn't cause the nappies to break down.
  • We do strip wash but probably not enough.
  • We do regularly clean the machine on a 90.
  • I think I may overdose and my husband underdoses but not sure whether either has caused the issue.

Thanks for the reminder of the nappy lady. Looking at the trouble shooting i think it could be where we've left the nappies too long before washing. We usually wash every other day but we've had some long weekends away where we've not been able to wash the nappies there and they would have been left 3-4 days. Will do the trouble shooting questionnaire as well.

Will wash at 40/60 from now on though i think.

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