How to wash & care for real nappies

A new nappy or booster will need to be washed around 4 times before it will reach full absorbency. It’s normal for them to shrink slightly!
 

Changing & dry pailing nappies

Nappies can be lined with either a flushable or fleece liner, flushable liners can be disposed of down the toilet and fleece liners will need to be shaken out and put in your washing pile with the rest of the nappy.

It is best to store used nappies in a nappy bucket, lined with laundry mesh. On wash day, you can simply pick up the mesh bag and put it straight in the machine without having to re-handle the used nappies. Don't worry, the nappies will always find their way out of the mesh bag during wash cycles as long as the bag is left open.

A few drops of lavender or tea tree oil on a tissue in the base of the bucket will keep it smelling fresh. Wraps can go in the bucket too, but don't soak them. See caring for wraps below. It’s not necessary to wash nappies every day, every two or three days is fine just make sure you have enough nappies to last.

Tips on soaking nappies (If you choose to soak)

With soaking you do exactly the same as with dry pailing, except that you store your nappies in a bucket of nappy soak instead of in a dry bucket. You may also choose to wash cooler at 40ºC as the nappies are sanitised by the nappy soak solution. Nappy soak powder is available in some high street shops, although this is often the less gentle option. More eco, nappy, and skin friendly options include tea tree oil, lavender oil, or nappy fresh.

Make up a bucket of nappy soak solution (follow the instructions) and put your used nappies in. If using tea tree or lavender oil you only need a few drops for a normal household bucket or nappy bucket so one bottle tends to last for ages. Take the bucket to the washing machine and to avoid drips when transferring to the machine, put an old towel down on the floor to catch any spills. This can then be washed with the nappies.

***Important Safety Tip ***
Always remember to keep any buckets of water away from mobile babies and toddlers because of the risk of drowning. If you soak your nappies, putting the bucket in the bath will keep them inaccessible; just make sure your child can’t climb into the bath.

Washing

Wash at 40ºC or 60ºC with non-bio powder. (Just check it doesn't contain any bleach). 60ºC is hot enough to sanitise your nappies, alternatively you can wash at 40ºC and add a spoon full of napisan. If you do not have a full load of nappies you can put your nappies in with other colour fast laundry items at 60ºC. (Just remember NOT to use fabric conditioner).

You will only need 1/4 of the recommended amount of washing powder, if you use too much this will overload the nappies and may cause them to leak... Do not use fabric conditioner as it will reduce the absorbency of the nappies, in place of this you can use a cap full of distilled (clear) malt vinegar this will neutralize any urine smells and prevents a build up of any residues of powder.

If required you can sanitize your nappies with napisan, just a spoon full in the powder, before putting on a pre wash cycle. This is not expensive and can be brought from most supermarkets.

Every so often it’s a good idea to do a final extra rinse, this gets rid of any excess detergent from the nappies.

Ammonia

Ammonia is a natural breakdown product of urine. But it should not form on a nappy in such a short time as overnight. If this happens its likely to be because there is something left in the fibres of the nappy causing the urine to break down to quickly i.e. washing powder or stale urine, or bacteria. Babies can be sensitive to ammonia and it may slightly burn the skin. To stop this from happening make sure your nappies are really clean and well rinsed.

Either soak in a chemical nappy sanitizer like nappy fresh (according to directions) or wash on hot (90 degrees) if your nappies will take it. Then wash on a cold/warm cycle without any detergent. And finally rinse until there are no suds.

This should get your nappies really clean and prevent ammonia forming. To prevent this happening again make sure you're not overloading your machine, that it is rinsing properly, and that you are not using too much detergent.

Nappy Rash

Whatever nappies you use, (real or disposable) most babies are likely get nappy rash. It’s a good idea to wash your nappies (but not wraps or PUL outers) on a 90ºc cycle if your child has persistent nappy rash or thrush until a few days after it has cleared up.

Alternatively use the method above to make sure that no microbes or excess detergent is left in the nappy.

As long as you have a liner, most barrier creams are ok to use, however it is important to ensure a liner is in place to protect the nappy.

Keeping nappies soft

In hard water areas some natural fibre nappies can become a little hard. If your nappies get 'hard' here are a few things that will help:

• Rub the nappy fabric together
• Add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar to the rinse
• If you normally hang dry, tumble dry for the first 10 minutes before hang drying

Don’t…

• Don't use bleach
• Don't use fabric conditioner (it will reduce their absorbency and causes leaks)
• Don't regularly use chemical sanitizer, it is not necessary
• Don't use nappy sanitizer or high temperature washing/drying with your wraps

How do I deal with stains?

There are a number of ways to deal with stubborn stains or smells. Drying your nappies in the sunshine is great to 'bleach' out stains and it will also help with smells too, also the most 'green' way to do it. It even works with indoors sun (i.e. leave on a window sill).

Although as we live in the UK we sometimes have a lack of sun, you could try soaking or rinsing your nappies in water with a dessert spoon full of bicarbonate of soda. However, if this does not shift the most stubborn stains or smells you could try the occasional soak in a nappy sanitizer such as nappy fresh. It does contain a bleaching agent (though non chlorine-based) and is very effective for the most stubborn smells.

Drying

Line drying your nappies will prolong their life and is much better for the environment. But tumble-drying will soften the nappies. You could tumble dry for the first 10 minutes then finish off on the line. Putting a clean dry towel in the tumble drier reduces the drying time as it absorbs some of the condensation. You could also dry your nappies somewhere warm with decent air circulation, near your boiler, or a radiator is good. Drying directly on a radiator will make your nappies stiff, you could use an airer in front of or above a radiator this might be better.

***Do up velcro before washing to reduce damage to the nappies and other laundry***