Dry Pailing

[Lucky Mummy]

I've recently started using MCN's, and not sure if I'm doing everything right.

Lately they seem to still smell like wee, even after I've washed them. I'm wondering if I've got the idea of dry pailing wrong. Are you meant to rinse the nappies before you put them in the bucket? I haven't been, unless they are dirty. They aren't sitting in the bucket for more than 2 days (usually only 1 day).

Oh, and I'm using Eco Store washing powder, if that makes any difference.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks heaps,
Leah

[BOB]

I found my nappies were smelling and it was due to the size of the load. I'd often wash every 2nd day, or wash with other clothes.

Now i wash every day (only rinse off poo first before dry pailing) and the smell isn't an issue anymore. I think its a combination of them sitting around too long and the load being to big (and i have a 8kg machine)

[MadMel]

The only time i have had smell problems is from cold washing.

I was my nappies, in the 60 degree cycle with NO powder or anything. No stains, no smells, no need to strip wash so far and it's been 8 months. Haven't had any issues with PUL or elastic which people will say from hot washing. The only people I have heard complain about smell are those who use cold or too much powder

I don't rince mine, I roll / scrape the poop off and chuck them straight in the bucket. They sit for up to 2 days but no longer, usually I was every day.

[Ozzy]

It's a bit of trial and error with washing powder. I found that ecostore didn't work for me and DS's nappies were smellier when I used it so I switched back to purity and the smell went away again. You might be using too little powder, also make sure you wash with a maximum water setting so your nappies are getting a really good clean. I don't rinse DS's nappies before I dry-pail even though I probably should with his teething pee. But I do a pre-rinse in the washing machine every night and I wash everyday.
There are heaps of threads on smelly nappies here maybe do a search and read through some of them, that's how I got my tips

[Sandi]

I dry pail Harry's nappies, only rinsing the stuck-on pooey ones before I pop them in with the rest, and have noticed since the weather cooled down & days got shorter, they have been smellier. I put it down to the time they spend on the line. In summer, they stay out all day in the sunshine which helps sanitise & freshen them up, while now they don't spend as long and sometimes in no sunshine at all on cloudy days. If they are not quite dry and I have to put some in the dryer, they come out smelling worse.
I now try to leave them on the line longer, even overnight if needed so they hang in the fresh air longer. I need to make more though as I have just enough at the moment for my 2 day washing cycle.

[Mozzie]

I didn't have this problem until a couple of weeks ago. I usually wash every second day, but as my son gets a little older and experiments with new foods, I'm beginning to think the strength of his urine has something to do with it. In retrospect, I recall this happening at about the same age with Cecilia. So now I'm just going to wash every day. I hope you can work something out - nothing more off-putting than a smelly load of 'clean' nappies!!

[monicat]

I'd try adding either more or less washing powder. I use ecostore too and use 1/4 scoop for a smaller load and 1/2 scoop for a full load. And maybe more sun?

I just drypail and only rinse pooey nappies.

[Lucky Mummy]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I never thought about too much washing powder might make them smell. That seems weird, I would have though I might need to use more!!

Also I never wash in hot water, only cold. So I might give that a go too.

I'll check out the other threads about this too.

Thanks again,
Leah

PS. Hi Bob!! Fancy seeing you here

[cindy]

i don't rinse my nappies at all, just scrape off the poo. i use only cold water and the tiniest amount of powder it probaly isn't worth it! i totally agree with fresh air and sun, sun, sun.
i find if my nappies (particularly night ones) are getting a bit smelly i do a rinse with dettol laundry rinse and they come up smelling roses and quite soft too!

[Sandi]

Yes, I use the dettol laundry rinse as well and I do think it makes a difference also.