Strip washing

[ZoeH]

... sounds exciting, doesn't it ?

I'm finding that my pockets with suedecloth inners are stinky! I understand that I might be able to resolve this by doing a wash with full/normal amount of detergent, then doing a strip wash.

Could someone please clarify the following for me:

1. should the full detergent wash be hot or cold?
2. should the strip wash be hot or cold?

If cold, how cold is cold enough? Our super frontloader only goes down to 20 degrees ...

3. is one strip wash enough?

Oh, and in case it's relevant, we're using eco store washing powder, normally half the recommended amount. The recommended amount is about half the amount of a regular washing powder. Does that make sense?(!)

Thank you - I can't wait until I know enough about MCN to be able to answer someone else's questions! I appreciate the help I've received in this forum very much!

Zoe

[monicat]

Hi I haven't actually done a strip wash yet, but i think you use really hot water and a squirt of dishwashing detergent? and then heaps of hot washes till there are no suds?? Someone who has done one will let you know, or if you search for it i'm sure there will be instructions in a previous post on NC....somewhere!

I use ecostore too, and i usually only use 1/4 scoop or less for nappies, they still come out really clean!

[littlesox]

I don't know that it matters what the temp of the normal wash is, although it's generally recommended that you pre-rinse pockets in cold before you wash in warm/hot (something about not setting the smell). I've skipped the pre-rinse in the past in a bid to save water but I do agree that it makes the nappies smelly.

Yes, most people seem to suggest a hot wash with a squirt of regular dishwashing liquid followed by lots of rinses until there are no more suds.

Personally I've found that stripwashing by hand is most effective (especially when it's because your nappies are repelling wee, which isn't why you're doing it, so it's probably irrelevant!). I just kind of figure that if I'm going to use the extra water resources for the stripwash & rinsing that I might as well do it properly and rub the d/w liquid into the suedecloth where it needs to be. (Bit unusual for me to create more work than may be necessary!! ).

[ZoeH]

Thank you! Will give it a shot.

Zoe

[Leah]

I was also just thinking I should do this asmy Magicalls and some Ittis are getting a bit whiffy. Seems to be the ones with microfibre get worse for us.

I have done it before with a 60 degree wash, use a prewash cycle and an extra rinse. If you have a top loader you could probably use diswashing liquid but don't if you have afront loader or you will have suds for about 3 years

If a front loader I have used a different detergent to the one I normally use at full strength on the long cycle then do another wash with no detergent and a 1/3 C vinegar in the rinse.

Good luck and thanks for prompting me to do it as well!

[ZoeH]

ooh - just in time Leah - we do have a frontloader and don't think my husband would forgive me if I sudded the whitegoods!

Here's to un-stinky nappies!

Zoe