MCN - what am I doing wrong??

[jackrose]

I have just started using cloth with my 2 year old, getting her ready for TT and building up a stash for the next baby who I plan to have in cloth from the beginning.

So far I have 5 AIO or AI2's and about 5 fitted which are all working very well, I am very happy with them and to be using them. (Thanks for all the advice in this section of the forum )

My problem is that the nappies are coming out of the machine smelling of urine .

I am dry pailing and the nappies are in there for 8-12 hours max, mostly not even that long. I have a brand new front loader with heaps of wash choices, and at the moment I am washing on cold, with an eco-wash function. I use the pre-wash function and an extra rinse also and the machine spins at 1400RPM. I am using the eco store laundry liquid as I can't stand the smell of anything with perfumes in it (pregnancy ) + I do try to use the most environmentally friendly cleaning products I can find.

From what I understand, I am following the instructions that came with the nappies and what has been suggested on here. I am very disappointed when I pull them out of the machine and there is a definite whiff of urine when I hang them.

Any suggestions of what I may be doing wrong or what I can do to avoid this?

TIA

[Livinthedream]

Are you hanging them in the sun or inside?
A good airing outside where the sunlight can kill the bacteria may help.
I wash in warm/hot and sun dry and I dont have a problem.
But I only have an 11 month old, maybe 2 year old wee is much stronger.
Can you try hot water?

[Doing my best]

I wash on 40 or 60 deg. Very occasionaly like every 6 weeks or so, I will do a really hot wash.

I also use the sun to dry them (well the ones that don't go stiff in the sun).

[jackrose]

Oh thanks MLM and Doing my best! That sounds both logical and like it will work!

Unfortunately we live in an apartment without any outside area except for a closed in balcony. The nappies are line dried there so they do get sunshine (through the windows :roll eyes They don't smell of urine so much when I take them down.

Will try a hotter wash. Thanks.

[*TripleJ*]

mine smell a little wiffy if hes had extra poos or smelly pee but when their dry no smell

could just be the leftover smell from the water

[~Kim~]

I found the older DD got, the stronger her wee smelt, but them getting some air and sunshine are key to the smell. Can you open any windows?
I only ever wash in cold water and I use bicarb on my nappies.

[jackrose]

Windows can be opened, just have to hope that the breeze is going in the right direction!

I am grateful to hear that the urine odor is not abnormal and the older the stronger the smell does make sense as they are urinating less frequently...

Kim, how/when do you use the bicarb? I like the sound of that. Any advice for a front loader?

[~Kim~]

I use it instead of washing powder. A couple of tablespoons per wash. SInce it doesn't suds up I reckon it might be the same??? I don't have a frontloader though.

I thought of something else. Do you pre rinse? i find it's less when I do that.

[nicjay]

I use bicarb in my front loader no problem - about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup in the washing powder drawer. You really shouldn't have to use it very often at all once you have yor washing routine sorted. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, but how much of the Ecostore are you using per wash? I use it too and only use about a tablespoon or so per wash and have never had smelly nappies. If you are using too much powder that is often when nappies start to smell - BTDT with DD1 and her nappies

BTW, if you need more info Baby Beehinds have an excellent troubleshooting section on their website. They have covered all the potential problems really well IMO.

HTH