How to Wash Reusable Nappies and Wet Bags Without Smells
By LittleLamb | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
A practical wash routine for reusable nappies and wet bags that stops ammonia build-up and lingering smells, with checkpoints at every step.
Quick answer
Wash reusable nappies every two to three days on a long cycle at 40–60°C with a full-dose detergent, then dry thoroughly. Wet bags only need a wipe between washes and a full machine wash weekly. Smells come from trapped bacteria and detergent residue, not from the fabric itself.
Why smells build up (and what actually removes them)
Ammonia and sour smells are a sign that bacteria are still alive in the fabric or that detergent hasn't rinsed out. Two fixes matter more than any special product: use enough detergent for your water hardness, and give the machine a long enough cycle to flush residue away. Short, cool, low-detergent washes leave behind the perfect environment for odour.
Water hardness is the hidden variable. If you live in a hard-water area, you may need to add a water softener or increase detergent dose. If you use too little detergent in soft water, urine salts won't fully break down and will cling to the fibres. Adjust based on how the nappies smell after drying, not on a fixed rule.
Setting up your nappy bucket and wet bag system
A dry bucket works better than a soaking one. Soaking in water can degrade waterproof PUL over time and creates a heavy, smelly liquid to deal with. Instead, store used nappies in a dry, breathable bucket or a large wet bag, and wash every two to three days. If you use a mesh bag inside the bucket, you can lift the whole load straight into the machine without touching the nappies.
For outings, a double-pocket wet bag keeps clean and dirty items separate. LittleLamb's Double Pocket Reusable Wet Bag - Small fits 20 reusable bamboo wipes or 10 cloth sanitary pads, so it doubles as period-pad storage. The large version fits ten pocket nappies or five fitted nappies with wraps, which makes it a practical daycare bag. Both have two zipped waterproof compartments, so you can keep clean nappies in one side and dirty ones in the other without mixing them.
What to do between washes
Don't let wet nappies sit sealed in a plastic bag for days. Air circulation slows bacterial growth. If you use a wet bag, leave the zip partly open at home. Rinse poo off nappies into the toilet before storing, and use a liner if you prefer to shake solids away. Wet bags themselves rarely need more than a wipe with a damp cloth between washes unless they've held soiled items directly.
The step-by-step wash routine
- 1. Empty the bucket and check pockets: Take the mesh bag or wet bag straight to the machine. Check that no nappy liners, wipes, or boosters are left inside pocket nappies. Common mistake: forgetting a liner in a pocket, which then wraps around the drum and leaves a residue. Checkpoint: shake out each nappy before it goes in.
- 2. Run a pre-wash or rinse cycle: Use a short cold rinse or pre-wash to flush away urine and solids. This stops the main wash from becoming a soup of waste. Common mistake: skipping the pre-wash and going straight to a long cycle, which can set smells into the fabric. Checkpoint: the water should run clear before the main wash.
- 3. Wash the main load with full detergent: Use a long cycle (at least two hours) at 40°C for day-to-day nappies, or 60°C if you're dealing with illness or heavy ammonia. Use the full detergent dose for your load size and water hardness. Common mistake: using half detergent to 'be gentle' — that leaves bacteria behind. Checkpoint: if nappies still smell after drying, increase detergent or temperature next time.
- 4. Rinse and check for suds: Run an extra rinse if your machine allows. After the cycle, look for bubbles in the drum. Suds mean detergent residue, which can irritate skin and trap odour. Common mistake: assuming one rinse is enough in soft water — it often isn't. Checkpoint: no visible suds means the rinse is done.
- 5. Dry thoroughly — air or tumble on low: Line dry nappies and wet bags in the sun when possible; UV light helps kill bacteria and bleach stains. If you tumble dry, use low heat and remove while slightly damp. Common mistake: putting wet bags in a hot dryer, which can damage the waterproof coating. Checkpoint: everything must be bone dry before storing.
- 6. Wash wet bags separately or with nappies: Wet bags can go in with the nappy load if they're not heavily soiled. Turn them inside out and zip them closed to protect the waterproof layer. Common mistake: washing wet bags with fabric softener, which clogs the waterproof membrane and reduces their life. Checkpoint: never use fabric softener on any waterproof item.
- 7. Store clean nappies and bags dry: Keep clean nappies in a dry basket or shelf, not sealed in a plastic tub. Store clean wet bags flat or hanging. Common mistake: putting away slightly damp items, which starts the smell cycle all over again. Checkpoint: if you smell anything sour when you open the clean stash, rewash.
Products that make the wash routine easier
- Double Pocket Reusable Wet Nappy Bag - Large: This double zipped wet bag fits ten pocket nappies or five fitted nappies with wraps, and has two waterproof compartments. You can separate clean from dirty nappies on the go, which reduces the chance of cross-contamination and makes wash day sorting faster.
- Double Pocket Reusable Wet Bag - Small: This small double zipped wet bag fits 20 reusable bamboo wipes or 10 cloth sanitary pads, with two waterproof compartments. It's a good size for storing damp wipes separately from dry ones, or for keeping clean and used cloth pads apart until wash day.
- Reusable Sanitary Pads Discovery Set: The Reusable Sanitary Pads Discovery Set includes 2 panty liners, 6 day pads, 2 night pads, and 1 small double wet bag. The included wet bag gives you a dedicated place to store used pads before washing, so they don't sit in a bathroom bin or get mixed with regular laundry.
