I have a chewer. I'd come home & it looked like it snowed all over my house
My husband is weirded out by the washable pee pads too. But I'm the alpha in that relationship. LOL
After all, I am the one vacuuming up the mess & I am the one who does the laundry. The washable pee pads saved HOURS from day. Plus, they look sooo much better!
I rinse them in a bucket & soak them in unscented detergent and warm water before I put them in the washer. I suppose you could use that washing machine cleaner after you wash them if it would make your husband feel better.
I tried pad holders & the litterbox thing with grass. But the washable pads were the only thing that worked. I didn't have the patience to wait for my pup to outgrow the chew stage. The washable pads are more maintenance than just throwing a pad into the garbage or a diaper genie. But for the looks alone, I wouldn't go back to disposables.
Good luck!