HE (front load) washers and washable pee pads
 

I just had to throw away four beautiful calico-covered pee pads that I had purchased from two different vendors who frequent this site. I had owned some of the pads for almost three years, and until a month ago, I could keep all of them in the linen closet with absolutely no detectable odor. So what happened? I moved into a new apartment with a VERY expensive European HE washer, and the washer ruined all of them. The smell in them became so bad that nothing would get it out. I even took them to a laundry to wash them in a traditional washer, but no joy -- they still reeked and I had to throw them away. So here is my question: Has anyone had any luck washing similar items in an HE washer? I'm guessing I need to rinse them multiple times in a bucket before I somehow managed to move them into the washer. Does anyone wash them that way? Any other ideas?

While I try to figure out a solution, I've purchased some very inexpensive adult incontinence pads to replace my beloved fabric covered ones. I think I will try to find a bucket somewhere to pre soak them prior to washing and see if that helps, but it sounds like a lot of work! Even if I go back to disposable pads, I'll still need washable ones as a "safety liner" for days when Goldie does her business too close to the edge of the paper, so I really will need some kind of method to clean these things. Thanks in advance for any ideas. ;)

You should contact the vendors. I am one such vendor here that sells washable pee pads. We haven't received any complaints. I would say three years of pad usage is a pretty long life. I'll also say that I have pads that are washed in an HE washer only and they don't smell. I don't know if you're our customer or not. Either way, I'm happy to try to give you some washing tips to see if you can remove the odor. Send me a PM and I'll try to help.

I have a front loader and have not had a problem with odor with clean clothes. Make sure you are using an HE detergent. I use Tide HE.

And try running an cleaning cycle on the washer. Front loaders need to be cleaned more often than top loaders. They can get smelly but that is usually a mold or mildew smell. There are commercial cleaners you can buy, but I usually use bleach and the hottest water. I clean it about every other month.