Nappies should smell completely clean and fresh when they come out of the washing machine. If they smell like poo or wee out of the machine, or smell like a cat litter box while in the pail, or once wee’d in, it’s time to troubleshoot.
With adequate agitation/loading, a decent detergent and warm-hot water (40-60⁰C), nappies should come out of the machine smell free.
Use the bleach sanitise option or 90/95⁰C cycle option to neutralise ammonia, the Canesten/Dettol sanitise option will not neutralise ammonia.
- Are you doing a separate pre wash cycle? (see Washing Guidelines)
- Are poo nappies being rinsed within 24 hours? (see Washing Guidelines)
- Is the machine loaded correctly? (see Front Loader Wash Routine, Traditional Top Loader Wash Routine, High-Efficiency Top Loader Wash Routine)
- Are there excess suds in the front loader? (see Front Loader Wash Routine, Why am I getting excess suds in my Front Loader?)
- Is enough detergent being used in both pre and main wash? (see the Detergent Index)
- Is the detergent strong enough to remove poo? (see the Detergent Index, Mainstream Detergents, Plant Based, Sensitive & ‘Eco’ Detergents, Detergents That Contain No Surfactants)
- Is the water temperature at least warm (40⁰) for pre and main wash if using mainstream detergents? (see the Detergent Index, Hot Water Vs Cold Water, Mainstream Detergents)
- Is the water temperature 60⁰ for pre and main wash if using eco/plant based/sensitive detergents? (see the Detergent Index, Hot Water Vs Cold, Water Plant Based, Sensitive & ‘Eco’ Detergents)
- Are night nappies being rinsed in hot water after use? (see Washing Night Nappies)
- Is the pail open with air flow? (see Soiled Nappy Storage)
