Cloth nappy care

Nappy Care


During nappy fabric manufacture a substance similar to
fabric conditioner is added so the fabric moves smoothly
through the looms, this is why you need to prewash new
nappies.

With modern conveniences combined with fabrics chosen
specifically for their ease of cleaning, cloth is not the
chore it used to be. Simply empty any solid waste into
the toilet and then put the nappy in the bucket. When you
are ready to wash, throw them in the washing machine!
Nappies only require a 60 degree regular wash, no special
powder or work involved, and definitely no boiling!

1. No need to soak (unless you want to). Your nappies
(once the poo has been dropped off into a toilet)
can be stored in a bucket/bag and just put in the
wash when you're ready.

2. Fleece liners keep your babies bottom just as dry as a
disposable would. Once your baby is weaned, the poo tends
to just 'roll' off fleece into the toilet, it washes
remarkably well (despite your babies best attempts at
staining them) and are incredibly cheap.

3. Use ½ the amount of soap powder as you would use with
your normal clothes. Your nappies will still be as clean.

4. DON'T use fabric conditioner on your nappies or liners.
It coats the fabric and makes them less absorbent.
Try clear distilled vinegar in the fabric conditioner
compartment to keep your nappies soft (& they don't
come out smelling pickled).

5. Should any stains appear on your nappies, just stick
them out on your washing line in the sunshine and the
sun should gently bleach those stains away.

FIRST STEP:

After removing a nappy, carefully separate the liner
from the nappy and cover. Try not to get poo on the cover
whilst separating from nappy. Covers are changed when
necessary (if soiled or smelly), not at every nappy change.

SOILED LINERS:

Flush down WC; wet ones can be washed 2 or 3 times.

Soiled washable liners need to be sluiced (by holding
in WC whilst flushing) before washing.

The liner should catch the soiling, but it may be
necessary to deal with soiling on the nappy too,
and sometimes even the cover.

SOILED COVERS:

Soiled covers should be rinsed, then washed gently by
hand or machine (usually 40°C); covers need care to
keep them waterproof.

FABRIC DAMAGE:

Soaking, bleach and some commercial nappy sanitizers
all damage Velcro and waterproofed fabrics.

Soiled nappies should be sluiced in the toilet and rinsed
as for covers if necessary.

Nappies can be dry pailed or soaked before washing at
60°C. Boiling will reduce their lifespan. Nappies can be
washed with other whites; some parents machine rinse them
first. Bleach and biological detergents will damage
nappies. Fabric softeners reduce absorbency.

DRY PAILING:
Collect nappies in a dry bucket until ready to wash, for up
to 48 hours. A dry pail smells no worse than a bin full
of used disposables.

SOAKING:
Allows for less frequent washing; soaking solution must be
changed daily. Do not soak waterproofed fabrics or Velcro.
Bleaches and nappy sanitizers damage elastic.

SOAKING SOLUTION:
To half a bucket of water add 50ml distilled white vinegar
OR five drops of tea tree oil OR one tablespoon domestic
borax OR one tablespoon nappy fresh (eco-friendly nappy
sanitizer).

Nappies soaked in borax or nappy fresh do not need to be
washed, they can just be machine rinsed, but this may
lead to staining. Soaking covers is not recommended
as this may cause damage.

DRYING:

Outdoor drying is free; sunshine gives natural bleaching
and freshening. Indoor drying on an airer needs good
heating/ventilation. Most covers dry quickly indoors.
Most nappies can be tumble dried; some covers can't.