Washing 2nd hand real nappies

[Wanderer1]

I'm looking for advice on how to clean and refresh the second hand real nappies I've been given by a friend. A mix of all in ones, nappies and wraps, and boosters. All the towelling is very stiff/rough and some are a little smelly.
I read something somewhere about removing detergent build up but I can't find anything from google search.
Thanks in advance.

If they're smelly they are dirty and have a build up of ammonia and muck rather than detergent. Follow the Clean Cloth Nappies advice for how to strip and sanitise them which will make them completely clean for baby and then use their wash advice to keep them clean. They have a website and also a Facebook page for advice and troubleshooting. UK websites often talk about sunning out poo marks and stains but following CCN wash guidance I've had maybe 2-3 nappies in ten weeks of newborn poo explosions that have had any sort of mark after washing, and those that have are chucked back in for another wash which sorts them out. I've become a bit evangelical about it and get far too much joy from my bright white fresh nappies ☺️

cleanclothnappies.com/strip-sanitise-instructions-uk/

Thank you so much, that's exactly what I needed!

I second the Clean Cloth Nappies advice - it's all science based and tested! I tried following some other popular advice and got smelly nappies. Now I do a CCN routine with my DS that poos 5 times a day and my nappies are beautiful (even my MIL commented on it).