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Synthetic cloths and bed-pads are retaining urine smells. We already use Oxy clean along with laundry pods but it’s not doing the trick.

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I use half a cup of vinegar, works every time. I just use half a cup and put in where the fabric softener goes.
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Reply to sillygoose
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Diluted white vinegar in the wash should help
if funds allow disposable ones
Otherwise cheap white vinegar diluted
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Reply to Jenny10
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I find myself washing soaked bed pads more than once to get the smells out.
One time through the washer doesn't really get them clean enough.

I was getting tired of washing so much; too much time, and too much water and electricity spent washing urine-soaked bed pads, along with blankets and clothing.

I started relying more on disposable bed pads. The large ones - 30" x 36".
This started 9 months ago when my husband's hospice provider provided disposable pads, so I started using them more. While I still cover the bed with 2 washable pads, I have a disposable pad on top of that, so it can easily be removed when soaked, and there is still a dry pad under him. I am spending much less time washing bed pads!

As for clothing, my husband voluntarily stopped wearing pants a few years ago.
That works out great for me. One less pee-soaked thing to wash! However, I find the pee often wicks up his shirt in the back. If it still smells after one washing, I will wash a second time. My washer does not have a pre-wash setting, so I use the speed wash to get the urine out, then wash again as normal load. Just think, if you are not pre-rinsing, then everything is just washing in urine-water.

In lieu of pants, he likes to have a blanket over him at all times. I buy lots of throw blankets, so they are easy to wash and store.

Vinegar will neutralize urine. I use about a quarter cup in the washer.
I use Charlie's Soap powder.

As JoAnn pointed out, the heat of the dryer seems to bring out the smell. Another good trick for your smelly items is to hang them outside, if you can, in the sun. The sun's rays actually kill bacteria, and the sun and fresh air will make your laundry smell fresh! If it is too stiff or dusty after hanging outside, I toss them in the dryer for short time to fluff.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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I found drying in the dryer brings out the smell. I would not use bleach on colored clothes. I used to soak Moms polyester slacks in vinegar and water for a while before washing.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Wash everthing in hot water, detergent and bleach. Get the directions on how much bleach from the bleach bottle.
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Reply to brandee
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Hope21 Mar 30, 2026
Agreed! I have found that Tide Hygienic Clean detergent and disinfecting bleach (never knew there were different versions/strengths of bleach until caregiving) in hot water works well!
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