Follow
Share

So my dad wets his trousers on a regular basis. When I put them in the machine I put a washing capsule, softener and add baking soda too but they still come out smelling of urine. I set the machine at 40 and with a pre soak. Not sure what else I can do. Any advice welcome 🇬🇧

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
This is going to sound stupid, but bear with me. I don't know how well it would do with human urine, but my one cat had a habit of urinating on our bath mats or towels left on the bathroom floor. After much trial and error, I found that running them through a rinse cycle of COLD water and then washing them in COLD water (with the baking soda and detergent) eliminated the smell. Previously, when I used warm or hot water, it seemed to actually enhance the odor. It could be worth a try.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report
Cappuccino42 Dec 2021
I do the same, except I first run a cold rinse with clothes antibacterial / odour removal liquid AND then I wash a normal cycle with detergent and softener. I also find lavender softener is best for countering.
(2)
Report
Clorox makes a Urine Remover that works well.
OdorBan works very well also. The OdorBan mixed in a higher concentration is also a sanitizer not just an odor remover. (and it is enzyme based so it removes odor does not cover it up)
Is dad wearing incontinent underwear? Either Pull up or tab type?
If not you need to remove all his cloth underwear and have him use disposable underwear.
If he is currently wearing incontinent underwear and it is leaking through there are pads that you can use they will absorb a bit more. Do not double up on the incontinent underwear as the water / moisture resistant lining will prevent the other one from absorbing all it can.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
GAinPA Dec 2021
There are special booster pads that do not have a plastic liner. Tranquility top liner are what I found online. They come in different widths and also a type with a wider posterior portion for fecal incontinence. The pink core is a substance that both draws liquid and as well as acts to neutralize. It handles excess caused by sudden volume by allowing travel through into the pull-up. If you can only find menstrual pads, the plastic lining can be slit to allow overflow.
(3)
Report
It’s not about the type of soap or washing machine setting.
Does he wear pull-ups or diapers? He’s incontinent, so he can’t wear regular underwear. & needs to be reminded &/or taken to bathroom. He’s needing help in bathroom too. He will have #2 in trousers soon…get him in disposable pull-ups or diapers Hugs 🤗
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
karenchaya Jan 2022
I have incontinence and I can attest to the fact that my "diapers" PLUS extra pads don't always keep clothing from being soaked with urine. Not as much, but yes. Soaked.
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
Get him to start wearing incontinence underwear. That's first.

Have you tried using a different detergent? My girlfriend swears by arm and hammer with oxyclean, she even cleans her carpets with it. I have never smelled urine in her house. She uses vinegar to rinse and no fabric softener of any kind.

No high heat drying either.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

If it’s a front loading machine, unfortunately they don’t use a lot of water either during an actual cycle.

For any soiled items I cold rinse first, sometimes twice with odour / antibacterial removal (without other clothes in there for maximum water), followed by normal cycle (can add other clothes at that point). I find lavender softener the best counteractive scent.

Also has he had a urine test?
Urine can smell extremely potent if there’s an infection! I know Mums urine smell hideous when she’s getting a UTI and those times her clothes / surroundings smell worse until the antibiotics take over.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Incontinence underwear and disposable incontinence pads where he sits or under him when he sleeps are the best prevention. Good luck with the other cleaning suggestions. All the best to you both!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
MaddieMae Dec 2021
We changed my mom to incontinence products and told her it was new underwear. It went smoothly. I just have to be careful not to toss the used ones in her presence as she thinks I’m throwing out her underpants. Her lingerie drawer now has Depends in place of underpants.
(1)
Report
Use 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster, Powder in the wash, and 1/2 cup of vinegar in the extra rinse cycle. Works great.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Go to the pet dept at the grocers. Get Nature’s Miracle or something similar. Works on rugs etc. fairly well. I also use OxyClean
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

White Vinegar in the wash - just dump some in with the detergent - works well.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

That happens when you convert a regular home into a nursing home. It's admirable what some people do to care for their sick old-relatives. My deepest respects to those caring souls. I certainly won't let my daughters go through that.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
BurntCaregiver Jan 2022
You're a great parent and your daughters will thank you. God bless.
(0)
Report
See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter