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washing instructions are enclosed with your nappies.
Why do I have to wash the nappies before I
use them?
We recommend to wash new nappies three times
before use to improve absorbency. When the fabric is made,
the cotton thread is coated with sizing to allow it to run
freely through the machinery. Wash as hot as you can at least
three times to remove this, it isn't necessary to dry between
washes.
Your nappies will reach peak absorbency after
perhaps a dozen or more washes, often more for hemp fabrics.
You don't have to wash the wraps before use though many prefer
to. With any deep coloured nappies (Rainbow Bots, Bright Bots),
fleece liners or wraps, especially red, also with a deep or
bright coloured liner to a Fuzzi Bunz, it is advisable to
wash the wraps separately before use to remove any excess
colour.
If in doubt about your purhases, please wash
only one or two to try out as we are unable to accept worn/washed
nappies for return for refund.
What will I need?
You will need a nappy bucket or bin with
a tightly fitting lid such as a brewing bucket. Some (trash
can style) have clips that clamp the lid on Look in your local
DIY or cheap shop eg Poundstretcher. You may prefer to get
a large one, sufficient to hold around 12-5 nappies. Some
people have two smaller ones - one upstairs and one down,
others have two, one for wet nappies and one for soiled ones.
As nappies are next to your baby's skin a
non-bio powder should be used, and fabric conditioner should
not be used as this will reduce absorbency. Some wraps can
be washed at the same temperature as the nappies (60ºC)
others, especially wool wraps, require a cooler wash. Nappy
washing becomes easier once you have established this as part
of your routine - some people wash every day, some every two
or three days.
You may also find that a few additional nappies,
especially for a newborn, will ease the burden of frequent
washing and drying.
What do I do about soiled nappies?
Use a flushable biodegradable liner, these
are made from paper. The liner which contains the poo can
then be hygienically flushed down the toilet into the sewage
system. If any poo remains on the nappy, this can be rinsed
in the loo by holding tightly on to a corner and flushing.
The nappy can then be placed in your nappy bucket.
These liners can be used with a cess pool,
I haven't had to empty mine since the day my daughter was
born so can testify they do not block the system - provided
your plumbing is in good order ! You can also wash any wet
only liners and re-use, generally they will last through about
4 or 5 washes. You may choose to use fleece liners, these
are non absorbent, and dry quickly, so they allow wee to pass
straight throug to the nappy, and leave a dry barrier between
baby and wet nappy.
They can be used in conjunction with a flushable
liner, however you will find the flushable liner once wet
stays wet. Fleece liners can be 'emptied' into the loo, usually
by stretching or by holding a corner and flushing, then washed
with the nappies.
Do I have to soak my nappies?
Not if you don't want to, many people don't,
although soaking may extend the life of your nappies if you're
looking for them to last several babies by diluting the urine
and reducing damage to the fabric by the urine compared to
dry storing them. Alternatively, you can rinse the wet and
soiled nappies in clean water to remove the urine before putting
them in your nappy bin, or .
If you do soak, I recommend a few drops of
tea tree oil which has excellent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
properties, OR a few ml of white vinegar OR a teaspoon or
two of bicarbonate of soda in a large bucket of water with
a tightly fitting lid or locking lid. It is important not
to overdose on bicarbonate of soda as this can attack the
structure of terry pile fabric.
It is not necessary, and indeed not suitable
for some nappies and waterproof covers, to use a nappy sanitiser
eg Napisan: this can make Velcro fastenings stiff. A 60ºC
wash in a modern machine will adequately cleanse your nappies.
If you don't soak, it is often a good idea to do a rinse or
pre-wash cycle without detergent prior to your main wash at
60ºC, as this removes the urine and any remaining 'bits'
from your washing before the wash cycle.
Some people keep their soiled nappies separate
and soak just these. If you wish to soak and are worried about
the bucket getting tipped over, try standing it in the bath
or shower tray, and use a minimal of water if it is likely
that toddlers are around, topping up as more nappies are added.
What do I wash my nappies with, and how do
I keep them soft?
It is advisable to use a non biological powder,
as these are less likely to cause a skin reaction. You'll
also discover that you don't actually need the amount of washing
powder the manufacturers recommend.
If you watch your rinse cycle you'll probably
see plenty of suds as the excess powder is washed out. By
using less powder you'll find you have slightly softer nappies
too. Experiment - you'll probably find using between 1/3 and
1/2 of your normal amount of powder will suffice.
Unless you live in a soft water area, or have
a water softener you'll find your nappies will tend to go
hard, however you should not use a fabric conditioner as these
will coat the fibres of your nappy and significantly reduce
its absorbency giving leaks.
Tumble drying will leave your nappies soft
and fluffy, even just a 10 minute burst will do. If you pop
your nappies in for 10 minutes after washing and remove whilst
steaming you'll find this accelerates drying too without costing
too much. However if you don't have a tumble drier, a dosh
(about a tablespoonful) of white vinegar in the conditioner
compartment will help remove the limescale and detergent residues
giving softer nappies, as will giving them a good shake and
rub together when almost dry.
Surely washing is hard work?
Once you have established a routine, washing
should only take you a few minutes. Your machine will do the
rest of the work. If you wash every second or third day it
will only take you a few extra moments each week to load the
machine, and just a few more to hang nappies out or put them
in the tumble drier.
You'll save time in the supermarket, and you
won't have lots of bin bags to put out for the dustman. Washing
nappies is actually very easy if you have an automatic washing
machine - and you won't need to iron!
Won't it be expensive to put the washing machine on just for
a few nappies?
Wash at a lower temperature, and when replacing
your machine choose an A rated machine for best economy. Washing
machines are generally designed to be most energy efficient
when operated at 40ºC or 60ºC. You can also wash
your whites and other items at the same time so you have a
full machine.
Generally 60ºC is considered best for
pooey nappies, though many do wash at 40ºC, particularly
if the nappies are just wet. I do know folks who wash their
nappies at 60ºC, then stop the machine as it moves on
to the cooler cycle, add in the rest of the 40ºC wash
and reset the machine to carry on at 40ºC. However I
think this is taking economy a little far! Avoid tumble drying
to kep the cost down.
I don't have a drier, and don't have room
to dry nappies around the house?
If you set your machine to go on in the early
evening usually when baby has gone to bed (or is that wishful
thinking?!), then you can hang them on airers and by radiators
or boilers overnight. You'll find flat nappies in particular
will be dry by morning most days, the remainedr can be hung
in the airing cupboard if you have one to finish off. A bathroom
or spare bedroom is often the most suitable place to dry your
nappies - an airer can be placed out of the way in or over
the bath provided you have suitable ventilation, keeping the
rest of the house free; you might also like to keep your nappy
bucket there too. Also try to choose quicker drying nappies
without a waterproof layer.
These can then be dried quickly overnight
on or by a radiator, leaving your house nappy free during
the day. For speeding up drying indoors, try pointing an electric
fan (no heat required) at your airer, the draft will speed
drying considerably. We have a ceiling fan in our kitchen,
and it seems to dry in about 4 hours! Wraps may be hand rinsed
and hung to dry.
How do I make my nappies and wraps last through
more than one child?
The majority of nappies will usually last
more than one child depending on wear and tear, though wraps
in particular the larger sizes which may be worn for a considerable
time may need to be replaced. You'll find that nappy elastic
may give and patches may wear round the legs, but generally
most brands will still be servicable, sized nappies will obviously
fair better than one-sized nappies as they will receive less
wear and tear.
Avoiding tumble drying will extend the life
of nappies, and in particular of wraps (although with a polyurethane
laminate wrap a quick 10 minute blast in the tumble drier
can often help re-align the molecules and re-seal a slightly
leaking wrap where the waterproofing properties are just beginning
to go and the outside feels slightly damp).
If wraps that can withstand a 60ºC wash
are washed at 40ºC or hand washed where possible, this
again will prolong their life. Direct contact of wraps and
All-In-Ones with radiators should also be avoided, particularly
PVC ones (Kooshies). If you want to keep the nappies white,
wash on a higher temperature (see instructions provided with
your nappies for maximum recommended temperatures), although
this will reduce their life span, but avoid bleach as this
can damage the fibres, although a dab of Vanish may help shift
a persistent stain particularly of breatfed poo.
Line drying is free, and the sun's action
will naturally bleach your nappies. Rinsing and soaking of
soiled and wet nappies and wraps will neutralise the urine
and thereby reduce damage to the fibres of the fabric and
prolong life.
Real
Nappy Article | Nappy
Changing—What to Expect! | Washing
& Care Instructions |
Terminology—what
is what in the nappy world? | How
do I assemble a cloth nappy? |
Nappy
creams, barrier creams and nappy rash | Why
Choose Cloth Nappies 1 |
Why Choose
Cloth Nappies 2 | Why
Choose Cloth Nappies 3 | How
do I choose which nappies to use? |
How many
nappies will I need? | Washing
- Frequently Asked Questions | What
are Real Nappies |
Real
Nappy Project
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