Washables - how can I revive them?

[milkmoustache]

Stopped using my Popolino's when DD was about 18 months: they got very hard, stains never went away, and to be frank they never smelt clean. Tried lots of things at the time - washing at 90, adding vinegar, lavender oil, Nappy Bright, but nothing had any effect. Plus DD got pretty bad rash, not just on her bum but where the edges rubbed her.
The guilt and the expense are pushing me to try again with no. 2, so has anyone got any ideas how to get them in better nick? Would really rather not buy the whole lot over again, even on e-Bay. Would a lot of intensive tumble drying be any use? (We live in Cambs which has quite hard water, which can't help).

You could try leaving them out on the washing line when it's raining. I know it sounds mad but that really helped soften up my nappies. Hanging them in sushine will help to get rid of the stains.

Tumble drying is also great occasionally to help get their softness back.

First though I would give them a wash just in washing powder and then run the rinse cycle several times until the water no longer has suds in it then I would try all the above.

I have Motherease which are similar - short pile terry am I right?

Line drying and hard water are a bad combination for producing board-like nappies. Might it be some sort of detergent residue? Shaking out the nappies before pegging, or a brief spell in tumble dryer might help.

You could try fleece liners for the rash, so there is something soft next to the skin.

Milk, what were you washing them in? I had similar problems, also hard water. Finally identified Ecover laundry liquid as culprit. Sadly swapped to ariel, and all is good again. I figured the badness of using ariel was compensated for by the fact I was not using disposables...

Ah ha - yes, I was using Ecover and we did have probs with gunky drains...
Will also try making some fleece liners next time as they have to be softer than the Ryvita-like boosters I've now got!

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It could be something as simple as the brand that you are using. Try switching to a brand made from different material. Fleece is good for repelling stains. Terry towelling seems to be the worst for stains!

A long time ago with DS I used to boil my napplies in an old pan with blue Daz. They were spotless.