Tots bots stink of ammonia

[MilkManiaMama]

Hi everyone,

I'm using tots bots easy fits and they are working wonderfully for us apart from the fact that they suddenly stink of ammonia and I can't get rid of the smell! When dry they smell fine but as soon as my little girl is even slightly wet she stinks of ammonia and the overnight nappies smell really vile when I take them off in the morning. I've tried washing at 60 degrees with no detergent, didn't see any bubbles coming out of the machine and we are living in a caravan, with the washing machine rigged up outside, so I can see the water running away clear. I've also washed with no detergent at 30 and 40 to see if it makes a difference but no joy. Help, I can't bear the smell anymore!

Try a cup of bicarb in with them

then

Try a cup of vinegar.

Hang them out in the rain. Not sure if that's possible for you just now.

Thanks, there's no rain so I'm trying bi-carb and vinegar today. I've also soaked them for a few hours in clean water that I've changed three times before putting them in the machine. Hope this sorts things because the smell is so bad I can hardly bear to breastfeed her at night! Really don't want to change to disposables as I love the tots bots, but aside from the horrendous stink I also worry about all the ammonia on her skin.

Soak in Napisan

What do you mean by no detergent? As in you haven't been using washing powder/liquid? I have had a set of second hand Lollipops in constant use for the last 5 years (on my third baby now) and I've always used detergent. It hasn't harmed them at all. I use whatever is to hand: liquid, bio/non bio, powder, ecover etc. I used Ecoegg for a while but it didn't really work for me. Is there a reason you're not using detergent?

are you sure it's the nappies and not her pee that smells?

AlecOrAlonzo I was told that the smell was most likely caused by detergent build up and to wash a couple of times without soap until you see no bubbles bit as I said, I did this and there were never any bubbles, so don't think it was detergent build up.

BikeRunSki - I'll try this next as vinegar, bi-carb, dishwasher tablet, pre soak, cold wash, hot wash, no detergent and double detergent have all failed!

MsHomeSlice - that thought has crossed my mind, especially as I read that when teething pee can smell very acrid. The nappies now have a faint smell of ammonia straight off the washing line or put of the tumble dryer though and it just seems to get worse after she wees. Overnight ones are by far the worst.

I'm also trying wet pailing to see if that helps. So annoying because everything else is going so well with them but not sure I can continue using them overnight as the smell is literally keeping me awake at night as we are often cosleeping!

I had to do strip wash earlier this week for this reason - never had the problem until we started using cloth overnight.
I did a pre-rinse, then used a full measure of bio powder (I usually use half measure of non bio) & nappy fresh powder and long wash at 60. Followed immediately by another long wash with no detergent.
Worked for me - nappies are now lovely and fresh again.

I’m not a cloth user myself, but friends involved in the “community” have told me about the competitive under-washing that goes on in cloth nappy groups, and the demonisation of detergent and detergent build up being cited as a cause of problems...

...whereas I’m inclined to think that your nappies smell because they aren’t being washed properly. A rinse in hot water obviously isn’t getting rid of the urine.

Not sure I get your point. I normally wash with non bio on a standard 40° wash but have tried several 60° washes, a 30° wash, pre soaking, not pre soaking, lots of soap powder no soap powder, vinegar, fairy liquid, scrubbing with a nail brush.... pretty sure they are being washed properly!

Also I've been using them for 7 months with no problem until now.

Ooh, thanks stargirl17. I'll try that magic routine next. Glad it worked for you. Fingers crossed mine follow suit :-)

You possibly need to switch to a biological washing powder to get rid of the smell

I'd definitely switch to a bio liquid with a capful directly in the drum.