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Original poster

I want to stop using vanish on nappies....

24 replies

alkar · 27/09/2008 19:32

I dry pail the nappies and have been using vanish spray on the dirty bits but am now thinking its not exactly environmentally friendly. I have now bought some soda crystals and put these in with each wash which work well but I'm not sure if thats any good either. Any advice????

OP posts:
MadamAnt · 27/09/2008 19:34

I've never used either on my nappies and they are still v white. Hanging them outside gets rid of stains. Do you actually see stains, or is the Vanish a pre-emptive thing?

onepieceoflollipop · 27/09/2008 19:34

Is it just the stains that you are worried about? They are clean as long as you put them through a 60 wash regularly even if the odd stain remains.

Sunlight is good (ha ha). Even in Autumn try hanging out in the middle of the day. Or sometimes the stain will come out after a few washes.

I have no idea if soda crystal are good/bad/or terrible for the environment.

Original poster
alkar · 27/09/2008 19:35

pre-emptive really, didn't quite believe just a wash would do

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georgimama · 27/09/2008 19:36

try fairy soap bars, they shift most stains.

Sunlight is by far the best bleach, even in the winter as long as it is not raining, it doesn't even have to be particularly sunny, my nappies always came up sparkling white.

sarah293 · 27/09/2008 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

onepieceoflollipop · 27/09/2008 19:36

Also even if you dry pail try swishing the nappy in the loo/bath/sink if there is poo on the nappy. Or use liners - either fleece or flushable. If you have newborn (ime) sometimes the stains seem quite long lasting but eventually everything washes out.

No one inspects the insides of the nappies.

Original poster
alkar · 27/09/2008 19:38

onepieceoflollipop I never even thought that no-one else sees them

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 27/09/2008 19:39

No one checks if you dust either.

(well probably my mil does)

Your standards may well slip once weaning starts (if it hasn't already) carrots and tomatoes are particularly tricky to shift (on clothes and at the other end!)

nappyaddict · 27/09/2008 19:41

oxy bleach like vanish actually damages nappies. wet pailing in cold water and a few hours in the sun will get rid of stains just aswell.

TheProvincialLady · 27/09/2008 19:45

Come on woman, this is not 1935 and no one inspects your nappies on the line to judge whether you are a good housewife DS nappies are now 24m old and have never seen Vanish or any other stain removing product, and they have hardly ever been used with liners, yet they are surprisingly white and unstained just from washing regularly and drying on the line as often as possible.

I wouldn't use anything except the mildest products on nappies because they are next to sensitive skin and I would not want to risk a rash. Soda crystals are ok, in fact if you use them you can halve the amount of washing powder you use, and they are environmentally friendly too so extra bonus points

onepieceoflollipop · 27/09/2008 19:48

TPL where do you get soda crystals from please? Have looked in supermarket but obviously looked in wrong place. Am keen to try the tip of cutting washing powder amount in half. What quantity of soda crystals do you use?

Original poster
alkar · 27/09/2008 19:49

Well onepeiceoflollipop I very rarely dust and am not bothered about stains on clothes so now I'm wondering why I was bothered about the nappies .

Glad the soda crystals are ok but after this I don't think I'll be bothering.

OP posts:
Original poster
alkar · 27/09/2008 19:50

Got the soda crystals from a local somerfield and just use about half the amount of washing powder I guess

OP posts:
noonki · 27/09/2008 19:51

we get nappy soak - some environment stuff - and have never used any staining remover on them

wash always on a 40degree wash with only a tablespoon on nonbio powder

dry outside when poss if not on radiators

no stains - but if so who cares?!

onepieceoflollipop · 27/09/2008 19:53

If the soda crystals are cheaper than the washing powder then why not continue using them? I have seen this tip on mnet before and will be getting some myself.

TheProvincialLady · 27/09/2008 21:09

Remember it's washing soda you want, not caustic soda There is a BIG difference (one is for drains and the other one is for, erm, washing). I get mine from the old fashioned hardware shop round the corner but I have seen it in Boots. It is dirt cheap so it does save money as well as being environmentally friendly. I use about a heaped tablespoon I suppose. They are supposed to be better for your washing machine too (a la "Washing machines live longer with Calgon" which is my favourite advert ever[sad woman]).

onepieceoflollipop · 27/09/2008 21:17

Thank you.

nappyaddict · 27/09/2008 23:13

do you use washing soda instead of washing powder or as well as?

TheProvincialLady · 28/09/2008 08:38

As well as.

nappyaddict · 28/09/2008 12:03

oh i shan't bother with that then. i already use 1/4 of the recommended amount of powder for nappies.

TheProvincialLady · 28/09/2008 14:08

Doesn't have to be just for nappies - you can do it for any washing to save money.

nappyaddict · 28/09/2008 23:09

probably wouldn't be worth it. i use 1/2 amount for full loads and if i have to do smaller load i only use about a 1/4 of the amount.

BecauseImWorthIt · 28/09/2008 23:11

Every time I see this in Active Convos I read this as 'I want to stop using varnish on nappies'.

Sorry. As you were.

nappyaddict · 29/09/2008 00:07

do soda crystals contain bicarb? if so you shouldn't really use them anyway cos they will weaken the fabric.

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