Nappies smelling of wee after washing - anything I can do?

[sweetkitty]

I'm using a combination of fuzzi bunz, tots bots and MEOs, I wash them at 60deg with half a cupful of Fairy non bio followed by an extra rinse but they still stink of wee. As I dry them over the radiators (no tumble drier and it's Scotland therefore always raining) the whole downstairs stinks of wee. Is there anything I can do to make them smell a bit fresher.

Also my Fuzzi are leaking after 2 hours with 2 inserts. DD drinks and wees for Britain but to be honest am losing patience with the Fuzzi (even though I love them being so slim). Sometimes I think it would be easier to go back to disposables!

i soak mine before i wash... seems to help! even just a rinse before washing can help.

every now and then it's worth doing a couple of extra rinses to make sure there is no residue on them

Do you put napisan in the wash as well? that may help..... along with a quick rinse first...in a bucket of water or something

Do you rinse them before washing? (either by hand or in the machine) If you don't the hot water in the washing machine somehow causes the wee smell to set into them.

I would leave them on the line even in the rain for a bit - rain water does wonders for softness, and then give them a rinse and then wash with no powder.

Do you use vinegar in place of fabric conditioner? That helps the final rinse. I personally wouldn't use Napisan, as I never feel sure that things like that are well rinsed out.

Can't help with the leaking fuzzis I'm afraid. We only use Tots. Bulky, but never leak. Could you need the next size up?

I'd definitely go with the cold prewash and check your rinse cycle for suds (just in case of buldup - that makes nappies smell horrible).

I'm having the exact same problem with fuzzis, DS had them on yesterday and I had to change him after an hour and a half, the inserts were wringing wet and they'd leaked at the gusset, I find I only use them if there is nothing else left, which is a shame as they are so quick to dry and nice and slim.

I'm hoping it's just a phase and they'll become useful again soon!

Thanks for the suggestions I will give them a try, usually I just rinse them in the toilet before sticking them in the bin. I don't fancy soaking them in solution.

I have had enough of the fuzzi's today, DD had one on with 2 Mother of Eden microfibre inserts for an hour and a half and after lunch it was sodden, vest trousers the lot. Second time today I have changed her. When I was away getting clean clothes for her she did a huge poo so had to change her again. Have put a disposable on her now. I have about 8 fuzzi's so am reluctant to stop using them also tots make her wee bum look so big and bulky.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant and am wondering if it's worth all the hassle? Having 2 in cloth especially if they are leaking is going to be a bit of work. I love using cloth nappies but am getting a bit fed up.

IME a cold prewash to get the worst of everything out so that the main wash can really get to work followed by a few drops of lavender oil (smells nice) and tea tree oil (antiseptic or something apparently) in with the vinegar for the final rinse.

Message withdrawn

use white(clear)vinegar in a last rinse as the vinegar will counteract the wee its a acid and alkline thingie but it really does work
same amount of warm water and vinegar will work to get rid of wee on anything its fab i have a bottle in the cupboard all the time!!

I have a combination of rainbow Tots and ME, I always do a prewash and a wash at 60 with napisan. Never had this problem. I never soak them.

Hi - I have had this problem in the past and after beating my head off the wall trying all sorts of remedies, it actually turned out to be a problem with the washing machine, the thermostat was gone and everything was being washed in cold water. It was ages before I realised as I usually wash them over night so stuff would be cold in the morning anyway. On another board I'm on this came up and turned out lots of people had had the same problem, so it might be worth checking. HTH

Washing machine less than 3 months old so it's not it. Hvae been doing the following: prewash, then 60degree wash then adding a cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle (when I remember) seems to be working.

Fuzzi's still leaking so using more tots bots etc

Thanks for the ideas x

Never used them myself, but have you tried sprinkling bicarb of soda on?

tots bots are good and much more relaibale than fuzzis, for the baby have you considered just terries till the baby fills out a bit. i have been using them lately for dd3 as i keep getting behind on the laundry and i am actually finding them very easy.

glad the vinegar is working.

I second the idea of white vinegar in the final rinse. Works because it neutralises the ammonia you can smell.
It is also good for cleaning windows!

I just noticed today that using bicarb in a prerinse was working, because I forgot to put it in last night and the musky smell came back.
I do a prerinse with a bit of bicarb, then a 60 degree wash with some soap powder and nappy bright in the prewash compartment, and an ecoball in with the wash. If there is still a smell I do another rinse.
It seems to vary depending upon how many pooey nappies are in the wash, and how long I have left the nappies, and how many nappies in total are in the wash.