Questions and Tips
USING CLOTH NAPPIES
WASHING AND DRYING NAPPIES
Most nappies can be washed at 60°C or 40°C (40°C is not recommended for babies under 3 months 60°C is best). Some nappies can be washed at 95°C (please check the care labels). Any non-biological washing powder can be used, but you should not use fabric softener, as this will affect the absorbency. If you pre wash your nappies prior to the main cycle (refer to section about nappy buckets) you can add a few drops of lavender or tea-tree oil (Please note: some children can be sensitive to tea-tree oil) .
Most nappies can be tumble-dried low but hanging out to dry in the sun is the most environmentally friendly and cheapest way to dry them. It will also naturally bleach and sanitise your nappies.
Other options for drying your nappies are in the airing cupboard or on a clothes airer (if you are short of space this can be put up in the bath). Tumble drying or drying on direct heat e.g. radiators or a ray burn is not recommended for outers or nappies with elastic in them as this will shorten their life span.
You should wash you nappies at least twice before using them, as this will improve the absorbency.
Some wraps can be washed at 60°C with the nappies but 40°C is recommended for fleece covers or fleece outer pocket nappies. Always check the care labels.
A bit about nappy buckets
A nappy bucket is basically any bucket with a lid. If you are intending on soaking your nappies you can use a variety of different things. Either a table spoon of sodium bicarbonate or white vinegar, or a few drops of tea tree oil (although some babies can be sensitive to tea-tree) or lavender oil in half a bucket of water.
Note: caustic substances and bleaches may deterioate nappies with elasticated leg and waists.
You will probably be best using a nappy mesh inside your bucket as well to help when taking the nappies from bucket to the washing machine. This can then be place opened straight into the machine.
We personally dry pail our nappies (no soaking) and pre wash them prior to the main wash cycle.
Remember a bucket full of water may seem like a fun thing for a toddler, but is very dangerous. If you intend to soak your nappies try to keep your buckets out of reach.
How to deal with poo
Regardless which nappy you use you will have to deal with poo. This should be flushed down the toilet even from a disposable nappy.
If you use a biodegradable liner most of the poo should be caught by this and you can throw it down the toilet anyway. The nappy can then be sluiced by either rinsing down or by using your shower over the toilet then just place it in the nappy bucket.
Isn’t there a lot of work involved?
This is probably the question we get asked the most and in short the answer is NO.
Due to the wonders of modern technology, you no longer have to boil your nappies, even soaking them in a solution before hand is not essential, but can help prevent stains setting.
Simply rinse of any solids in the toilet and keep them in a lidded bucket until you have a wash load then use the pre-wash or rinse program prior to the main wash.
You can prevent heavy soiling on the actual nappy by using a biodegradable liner, which can then be removed and thrown down the toilet.
Don’t cloth nappies cause nappy rash?
No, it is a bacteria in poo reacting with urine that causes nappy rash and regardless of whether you use disposables or cloth nappies you should change your baby the same number of times. A younger baby will need to be changed more frequently than an older child, as their skin is more sensitive.
How easy are they to use?
There are several different types of nappy systems available and they are all easy to use.
Many of the shaped nappies now have Velcro® (Aplix®) or poppers to fasten them and do not need to be folded prior to putting them on; you simply add a washable or disposable liner and fit it like a disposable nappy then add the outer pants (of course, these are not needed with an all–in-one or some pocket nappies).
Traditional terry nappies need to be folded but after a few times you will soon be doing this as if you have been doing it all your life and thanks to the wonderful invention of the nappi nippa (a hooking type item that holds the nappy on) you don’t even have to use sharp pins anymore.
How often do you need to change them?
You should try to change a baby as often as is practically possible. As a new baby wets so often it is almost impossible for them to be dry all the time and a stay dry or fleece liner may help in these circumstances. You should always change a nappy as soon after a poo as you can. (this will help prevent nappy rash).
Don’t cloth nappies leak?
Containment in a cloth nappy will depend on the absorbency and fit of the nappy.
Initially the more they are washed the more absorbent they become. You should always try to wash new nappies at least twice before using them and you should never use fabric softener on them, as this will effect their ability to absorb liquid.
As for poo, if the nappy is well fitting there should not be too many explosive incidents and significantly less than with disposables.
A breastfed baby will have a less solid poo and a well fitting good quality nappy and outer cover is always recommended. Once your baby is sleeping through the night you will probably need to add a booster* to the nappy to make it more absorbent.
It is important to make sure that the entire nappy is tucked neatly into the wrap to prevent any leaks onto clothes.
*You can use any absorbent material folded into a pad and placed inside the nappy under the liner or between the nappy and outer, as a booster. A small terry nappy or prefold is ideal, but you can also buy specially shaped boosters.
If you have a shower head that reaches your toilet this is a good way to rinse off you nappies and washable liners into the toilet should they become soiled. If this is not possible rinse them off with the shower into a bucket and then throw the water into the toilet.
Running your washing machine without a wash load with a cup full of white vinegar or washing soda occasionally will help prevent any build up in your machine.
If you tumble dry your nappies check the filter once in a while. Please be aware that tumble drying your nappies will shorten their life span and deteriorate the elastic in them.
If you find that your nappies feel hard when they are dry you may have a build up of washing powder on them. Try washing them a few times without powder/liquid. If there are suds in the final rinse then this is often the case. Tumble drying them for a short period prior to line drying then can also help soften up you nappies.
If you baby has a bad case of nappy rash, a liner soaked in a solution made from a camomile tea bag and a tea spoon of honey may help. Raw silk liners are ideal for this. Make sure the mixture is cool before doing this. There is no need to wring out the liner just let the excess drip off then place the liner inside the nappy next to the babies skin.
Changing your baby regularly and letting the air get to your babies bottom for a period of time each day will help prevent nappy rash. We also stock a great range of natural barriers and ointments to help prevent and relieve nappy rash.
When putting on your nappy make sure that the nappy is completely inside the outer pants and all the labels are tucked inside. This will help prevent leaks.
If you baby is a heavy wetter add additional booster between the nappy and the cover. You will need suitable covers for this.
