Totsbots problems - nippa coming unfastened and Stubborn Stains

[viticella]

Warning - graphic descriptions!

I am almost tempted to go back to reusables here.

I use cotton unbleached totsbots on my two DS's for night nappies. As the boys get older the early morning poo explosions are getting bigger, and usually come right out of the fleece/paper liners and get squished around into the terry (the boys are 19 & 35mths so sitting up/running about before I catch hold of them to change).

I know sunlight is supposed to shift poo stains, but because of the deep pile and gathers around the elastic there are bits that don't really get the sun and are refusing to bleach. If I pegged them out wet & weighted would it damage the elastic? I have a similar issue with Motherease Sandy's.

Also I've had several mornings where the lower leg of the nappy nippa has come unhitched leading to even more mess and leaks. Is this a sign the nappies are too small or am I not nipping tightly enough? This morning's was so bad I had to do a wet pail and flushed the nippa down the loo

I wash at 60deg with Asda non bio.

I am going to try this query with my nappy lady advisor too but hoping someone has had , or rather solved the same problem.

D you have anywhere to dry them flat, eg some decking or a paved area? If so try "turning them inside out" so the bit that isn't normally exposed to the sunlight catches them. I found DD's TB stained as she got older but not really sure why until DS2 came along 3 weeks ago, I am now back to washing DD's nappies every day (was going for three days without wasing them prior to this) and they are now stain free. From that I am guessing dry pailing and not washing every day means the stains "set" and are more stubborn to remove.

I find that soaking in Vanish (the peroxide bleach based liquid) shifts poo stains, but I don't know whether it would affect the nappy material. So far it hasn't affected any of ds2's clothes (which are what I'm soaking). Dry pailing is certainly worse for poo stains than wet pailing. Any stain will set more if allowed to dry before it is washed.

The nippa coming un-nipped I would say is down to not stretching quite enough.

Poo stains - yup, dry pailing makes stains more likely. If you peg out by sort of stretching out the elastic it will get one leg sorted, then you need to do the same the other side... weighing it down sounds like it could cause a lot of tension though.

Thanks very much! I think the nappy tends to stretch when wetted but I've winched it in as tight as possible tonight. Thanks for the idea about pegging them out by the leg - that is a good idea, I have done it and will leave them a day or so while the weather is good.

Maybe I will start a small wetpail for soiled nappies, as if two buckets weren't enough!

I add a scoop of vanish oxi stuff in the wash and that helps.

You caould also wash in bio and then do an extra rinse or too.

Ecover's stain treater is good for applying direct to stains. COmes in a little bottle with a pink top. Brush application.

Agree that pegging the elastic when wet will be baaaaaaaad news for your nappies. I have my MIL to thank for trashing my tos

Good fgrief I've only had one glass and IO can't type anymore!

I've had the same problem with nippas coming un-nipped, and find them difficult to use on a "kite" folded terry nappy which needs fastening each side. I prefer good old fashioned nappy pins with lockable heads, which don't come undone. Does anyone else use them?

How did last night go?

I had these problems in the early days.
Squelchy poos are a pain, which is why I like bumbles because the fleece liner is sown in.

Hopefully pulling the nippa tighter has worked for you, that's what I would suggest too.

As for stains. Vanish works brilliantly but it knackers the nappies, been there. Your unbleached nappies will beach very quickly this way as will those rainbow bots.
I would suggest white vinegar and soda crystals both very cheap and effective.
Also, I dry pail, but put the nappies on a rinse cycle before starting the wash. And wash at 60 when you have lots of pooey nappies.

Good luck!