How do I stop my washing smelling of poo?

[Coffeesnob11]

My son is potty training and sometimes does a poo in his pants. I get rid of the poo and wash his pants put before washing them but no matter what I do, the whole wash comes out smelling awful. I have tried washing at 40, 50 or 60. I have tried softener, no softener and a cap of zoflora but it all just smells horrible. Does anyone have any good tips?

Soak first

@Aphrodite31

If the pants are really bad, I'm afraid I'd chuck them out. Rather than .......

So would I rather than covering the rest of the load in shit

I am a cloth nappy veteran: rinse in cold water, bio powder at 40. We never had a problem with washing loads smelling poopy. I have had to put a capful of zoflora in with smelly teenage sports kit though.

@Dutchesss

God don’t bin them! How wasteful. As if there isn’t enough landfill already.

It would probably be less wasteful to do this with one or two pairs rather than using the extra water / soap / heat / chemicals to try and clean them.

Not when you take Into account just how water intensive cotton growing, spinning and processing actually is.

@Spottybotty20 I definitely react to bio myself. Never reacted to any of multiple fragrances, but have reacted to bio more than once.

There’s really no point using bio detergent at temperatures above 40. The enzymes work best at 30-40. At 60 they’re killed off rather like pasteurising them!

@RebeccaCloud9 I’m sure it’s possible but it’s much rarer than we all think. Most other countries don’t sell non bio as it’s not a thing.

@MatildaJayne my understanding on this is that the machine only reaches the top temperature for a short while so the enzymes are working the rest of the time.

We're onto our second DC in cloth nappies and don't seem to have this problem. Wash off excess poo or flip it into the toilet. Put really bad stuff in for a rinse first. Then wash with everything else at 40 or 60 ( not eco wash) for an hour.

Comes out grand. Stains go on the line for the sun to deal with.

We also put the powder in the drum. Means the draw doesn't get covered in grime.

I have heard too much power can cause issues.

Also no criticism but is it possible you just think they smell of poo because you know the pooy pants were in there?

I think it's your washer! I can't use bio either and we had washable nappies through to toilet training and never had this. Anything poo covered got a good rinse straight away and put in a bucket of napisan. If you don't want to do this an immediate rinse in the washer might do similar then leave in water to soak. I don't wash above 40 but also use one of the longer cotton cycles rather than my shorter "daily" cycle which is 75 mins. Then pants/nappies go in the normal wash with or without conditioner depending on what the fabric is and I've had no issues. I use liquid rather than powder but I can't see there being a difference in cleanliness as surely they do the same thing?

@RebeccaCloud9

Your washing should never ever smell of something that went into the wash. Even with non bio. 3.5 HOURS on and still not cleaning a smell away - there is something wrong with your machine.

This

I used cloth nappies and due to autism dd still has accidents (adult) never had this problem but I use bio washing gel or pods on 40 degrees mixed (2 hour) wash except the nappies that went on at 60 degrees cotton (3 hour) wash.

@Spottybotty20 I expect you’re right, they’ll be doing their enzymey magic until the water reaches 50 or so but bio detergent is designed for 40 really.

Non bio doesn’t exist in most countries apart from uk
We use bio Ariel/ persil, 60 degree cotton wash, all cloth nappies white still and no smell.

It cannot be possible for one pair of pants you have already rinsed to still smell after any wash tbh.
Eco washes don’t rinse the power out properly so wouldn’t use that if any allergies