Softening up cloth

[terryble]

I have some preloved nappies (mainly OneLife) that are a little rough for a PFB's bottom.

Any ideas? I've heard that vinegar can be used, but how exactly? And would Sainsbury's Basics Malt Vinegar be suitable?

'tis white vinegar in the softener draw of the washing machine.

Are you using fleece liners? They're always soft...

Aha! That sounds good. Thank you!

I have some nice soft liners, but the entire inners of the nappies are harsh, if you see what I mean. So it wouldn't all be covered by the liners.

Dont use malt vinegar it will stink haha! White vinegar will do the job, still smells a bit but not half as bad. Rain water also good for nappies to soften them, either soak them in a bucket or leave them on line when it rains, i kid you not

Soda crystals are fabulous for softening nappies and 10 minutes in a tumble dryer once in a blue moon can work wonders.

Thanks for all the help so far. It's very much appreciated.

Could I try soda crystals and vinegar in the same wash, or would it be counter productive?

I'd do separate washes if I was you. Also line dry if possible rather than machine / indoor dry....

An oldfashioned one was to soak in salt water for a while and then rinse thouroghly.

Hello guys.

Well, I've caught up on all my washing, to the point that all that's left is my 40 scouring pads nappies. And I sent my husband out for white vinegar. He brought back white wine vinegar. Hopefully that works too, because I've now lost the receipt.

So, this is my plan of action, starting tomorrow.

Step 1) wash nappies in machine, no detergent, lots and lots of white wine vinegar. Wait for nappies to dry. If still not soft, then I will-

Step 2) wash nappies in machine with soda crystals, no other detergent. Wait for nappies to dry. If still not soft, then I will-

Step 3) soak nappies in bath of salty water, and then rinse nappies through in washing machine, no detergent. Then use a tumble dryer, low heat. If still not soft, then I will-

Step 4) weep.

Any suggested improvements to my plan?

Bash with rocks.

Update:

I did a vinegar wash (Sainsbury's basics malt), and there seemed to be no perceptible effect on the harshness of the fabric. However, the smell of washing powder disappeared!

Then, my mother-in-law showed me the correct technique for rubbing the fabric together! Which worked! I have successfully sanded down half the nappies (only another 20 or so to go, then). I've probably buggered up their absorbency, in a manner akin to that of an industrial fabric conditioning fluid, but they're soft! Result!

That's interesting! Tell us more, you just rub the harsh nappies against each other maybe?

Vinegar never worked for me, either. I soaked the clean nappies in 5 litres of white vinegar for hours and then rinsed thru a few times -- result was stinky of vinegar, but still cardboard-stiff nappies.

Soaking in Coca Cola was more effective, btw, but still too expensive to be sustainable.

Bloody hell, how many exclamation marks did I use last night? Goodness.

Yep. Seems I was doing it wrong the first time I tried. I'm presently refining my technique. It seems more effective/easier if you lay one nappy/pad/whatever on a firm, but soft surface, such as the arm of an armchair (while you're watching television, perhaps) and then rub another piece against it rapidly.

I think I sand down a nappy faster and more effectively if I use a second, harsher one on it. And then I start working on that second nappy, with a third one, IYSWIM.

DrivenToDistraction I saw some fleece liners shaped like a fitted nappy online, and suddenly understood what you'd meant. Now, that's clever. Thinking outside the box(shape) or what?

Hang on, Coca Cola?

Cheap supermarket own value cola is cheaper than vinegar, smells a lot nicer, and almost as acidic. So can be about as effective at descaling stuff (like nappies with hardwater desposits on them).

Might have worse env. impacts though, am not sure.