Care of your Cloth Nappies and Wraps:

Contrary to what some believe, caring for your nappies is really easy.

Your nappies will need to be sanitised and that can be done either with Heat (washing at 60deg is sufficient), with a Sanitising agent (e.g. Nappy Fresh) added either to your soaking bucket or to the washing powder if dry pailing, or by using Tea Tree oil (a powerful natural sanitizer) in the soaking water or conditioner compartment of the washing machine.

1. Storage

2. Washing

3. Drying

Storage

There are 2 methods of storing your dirty nappies until washday.  Nappy buckets/bags can be kept anywhere really, but personally I recommend keeping the in the bathroom – actually stood in the bath is a good way of keeping them out of reach of little hands.

Dry Pailing –

You will need a Nappy Bucket & Mesh liner (optional – but makes life easier), or a large waterproof storage bag with closable top.

• Empty solids down toilet.  If the nappy itself is soiled you can hold it in the toilet and ‘flush’ – don’t forget to hold on to it tightly though!
• Place nappy & wrap in bucket.
• Store until wash day.
• A few drops of Tea Tree or Lavender oil can be added to the bottom of the bucket to help with smells – but basically once the lid is replaced there should be no smells.
• A muslin square soaked in water and a few drops of Tea Tree oil, placed over the bucket will make your bathroom smell great!

Soaking –

You will need a Nappy bucket and Mesh liner, Soaking Agent (if using one).

• Line the bucket with the Mesh.
• Fill bucket ½ to 2/3 full with cold water.  If using a soaking agent add it now (nappy fresh, tea tree oil etc – avoid chemical sanitizers as they will eventually ruin the elastic in the nappies).
• Empty solids down the toilet.  If the nappy itself is soiled you can hold it in the toilet and ‘flush’ – don’t forget to hold on to it tightly though!
• Place nappy in bucket.
• It’s best to avoid soaking PUL wraps/pocket nappies as soaking may affect their waterproofing.  You can store these with your normal laundry or keep them in a dry bucket or bag.
• Don’t soak Fleece wraps either, store as above, washing with nappies may make fleece wraps ‘bobbly’ – you can avoid this by washing with normal laundry.
• Soaking water should be changed daily if washing less frequently.  Old water is best poured down the toilet – do up the draw-string on the mesh before pouring it out so as not to loose any nappies!

Washing

• Transfer your nappies from the bucket to your washing machine, if soaking empty water down the toilet first closing mesh drawstring first.  Re-open mesh when it’s in the machine.
• No need to empty the mesh – contents will tumble out during washing.
• If may be useful to do a rinse cycle (or a spin cycle if soaking) before actually washing the nappies – it helps prevent stains setting.  This stage is optional.
• Wash at 40 or 60 degrees – 40 will be sufficient if you’ve been soaking with a sanitizer, or if you’re adding a sanitizer to your washing powder.
• You will only need ½ the amount of your normal washing powder (non-bio usually recommended).  Or use Eco-balls or Soapnuts – however follow manufacturer’s instructions for these.
• Don’t use fabric conditioner – it coats the fibres of the nappy and stops it absorbing water.
• Adding regular Vinegar to the Conditioner compartment of the drawer can help to keep nappies soft, try adding a couple of tablespoons!
• Make sure the water is running clear at the end of the rinse part of the wash.  If not you may want to do an additional rinse cycle as detergent build-up will affect the performance of your nappies.
• An occasional Pre-Wash will help any staining.

Drying

• Line drying is the best method as it’s free!  The sun bleaches out any stains and acts as a natural sanitizer and freshener.  However we don’t always have the weather for it in this country.
• Using an Airer inside is the next best option.  Make sure the room is well ventilated though.
• Next to a radiator is good too.  Make sure your nappies are not ‘on’ the radiator as this direct heat may damage the elastic – defiantly don’t put wraps ‘on’ radiators.
• Tumble drying.  Uses more energy and may shorten the life of your nappies (elastic).  Don’t tumble wraps or pocket nappies, although some care labels will say you can tumble on low I would only do this in an emergency as it will shorten the life of the PUL in these items.  Wraps & pockets quickly dry on the line/airer.
• A short tumble (10-30mins) will ‘fluff’ up your nappies and get them really soft.
• Fleece wraps should not be tumbled.