- Before using cloth nappies
The nappies need to be pre-washed at least once before use. If you are using hemp nappies, you will need to wash them alone several times before the first use to remove the natural plant oils.
Care instruction: It is always best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Before washing machine
You do not necessarily need to wash the nappies every day. Every two or three days is enough.
1- Remove as much solid matter as possible. It’s better if you use a flushable biodegradable liner. The liner which contains the poo can then be hygienically flushed down the toilet into the sewage system.
2- Place soiled nappies in the nappy bucket.
They can be stored in a nappy bucket until there is enough nappies for a full wash load.
There are 2 basic methods for storing wet and soiled cloth nappies:
- Wet pailing (cloth nappies are placed in a bucket filled with water.) You can put 5 drops of tea tree oil, which has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- Dry pailing (placing dirty nappies in a nappy bucket without water). You can put 5 drops of tea tree oil, as well.
This method seems to be the preferred method, is safe and easy.
3- When the bucket is full you simply empty it into the washing machine and wash.
- Wash the nappies in a washing machine
- If your nappies were stored in a ‘wet pail’, dump the nappies and the soak water in the machine and run a spin cycle to remove the water. ( Or like me, you can do it by hand
- If your nappies were stored in a ‘dry pail’ , run a cold cycle.
-Start with a cold rinse.
-Wash in hot water.
-Use 1/4 the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer.
-Rinse in the warmest water possible.
-Do an extra final rinse.
To dry your nappies, the best option is to line dry, sunlight is a natural bleach.
I know! We don’t have a lot of sun here in England.. so i am using my cloth dryer
You can: Wash your nappies/covers at 40 or 60 depending on the wash care label.
Wash them with other clothes if the solids have been removed.
Do not: Fabric softener can reduce the absorbency of the nappies.
-Do NOT use bleach, or fabric softeners.
-Do not regularly soak your nappies in chemical sanitizers.
-Do not use nappy sanitizer when washing your wraps.
-Do not wash or dry your wraps at high temperatures.
-Do not use too much washing powder when you wash your nappies.
-Do not use nappy rash cream on your baby unless you place a paper disposable liner between your baby’s bottom and the nappy.
These creams can affect the absorbency of the nappy by coating it with a waterproof film.
