Reusable cloth nappies and their covers can get a bit whiffy and the smell can start to stick around. Embedded smells creep in over time, even with the best intentions, especially in reusable covers. The good news? There are solid strategies to sort them out and keep your nappy stash fresh, soft, and stink-free.

Why cloth nappies and covers start to stink

Cloth nappies' smell usually comes down to a mix of bacteria, leftover residues and the fabric. Urine and waste can cling to synthetic fibres, particularly if nappies aren't washed with care or dried with attention. Over time, even trace amounts build up, and the smell intensifies.

One of the sneakiest culprits is detergent residue. Too much detergent—or the wrong kind—can leave a film on your nappies that locks in those smells. Some harsh chemicals can also mess with fabric fibres, making it harder for nappies to stay fresh between washes.

If you use nappy covers with waterproof layers, they can hold onto odours. This happens because of how synthetic material interacts with residues bacteria leave behind after breaking down organic material. Popular Science wrote a great article explaining how this happens with stinky gym clothes, though it applies with synthetic nappy covers too. That's where an odour-targeted additive like Garame Cleaning Co. Gear Guard can help break down the odour without damaging the fabric.

How to wash cloth nappies (so they don't smell)

Getting your wash routine right is everything. Here's how to give your nappies the best chance of staying clean and smell-free:

Pre-soak like a pro

Pop dirty nappies into a cold pre-soak with a splash of white vinegar or baking soda. It helps loosen buildup and takes the edge off strong smells.

Choose the right detergent

Go for something fragrance-free and gentle—no dyes or softeners. And for particularly stubborn stink, add a cap of Gear Guard to your wash cycle. It's designed to target the type of smell molecules that get caught in reusable fabrics.

Stick to a solid routine

Begin with a cold rinse to clear away waste. Next, use a hot wash at around 60°C. Avoid overloading your machine. Nappies need space to move, allowing water and detergent to clean the surface thoroughly.

Dry with purpose

Whenever possible, sun-dry your nappies. The sun helps lift stains and lets any leftover dampness air out properly. If you use a dryer, stick to low heat to avoid damaging the waterproof layers.

Sunlight: helpful, but not a replacement for washing

Sunning your nappies is an old-school trick, and it does have real benefits—sunlight fades stubborn stains through natural bleaching, and airing nappies outdoors lets a lot of surface odour simply evaporate. But it's worth being clear-eyed about what sun exposure can't do. The UV wavelength that actually kills bacteria is filtered out by the atmosphere before it reaches the ground, and whatever UV does get through doesn't penetrate deep into nappy fibres, where the bacteria and residues causing lingering odour actually live. So sunning is a great finishing touch after a wash, not a substitute for one. For the smell that keeps coming back no matter how much sun you give it, that's exactly the residue Gear Guard is built to break down. Don't overdo the sun either—too much harsh Aussie sun can weaken some fibres over time. A few hours in direct light is usually plenty.

Keeping nappies fresh between washes

Between-use freshness matters as much as your wash routine. Here's how to manage it:

• Breathe easy: Store used nappies in a breathable wet bag or open-lid pail. Avoid anything airtight—trapped moisture equals stink central.
• Quick rinse and air out: Rinse off solids immediately, then give the nappy a spritz with diluted vinegar if needed. Hanging them in a breezy spot for a few hours helps knock the edge off any odour.
• Don't let them linger: Try not to leave nappies sitting for more than a day or two. The longer they're damp, the harder they'll be to clean properly and smell starts to embed.

Final thoughts: keep it simple, keep it clean

Keeping your clothes, nappies and covers fresh doesn't need to be a science experiment. It's all about the basics: rinse, wash, dry, and store carefully. Use the right products (a little Gear Guard goes a long way), and let the sun do its thing when you can. Stay on top of it, and your nappies will stay in great shape—clean, comfy, and always ready for the following change.