Modern Cloth nappies are very easy to care for!

Before use

Before you first use any of your nappies it is necessary to do a prewash. Covers and pockets only need one wash to remove any manufacturing residue, all inserts, boosters and all-in-ones need about 3 pre-washes. This is to increase initial absorbency. Most nappies won’t reach full absorbency till 8-9 washes. It is not necessary to dry nappies between each wash.

After use

When a nappy is soiled simply dispose of solids in the toilet (flushable liners or a ‘little squirt’ toilet attachment make this easier) and give a quick rinse if necessary. Some people like to rinse both wet and soiled nappies to dilute urine as this can lengthen the life of the nappy, however this is not vital. You then ‘dry pail’ your nappy which basically means popping it in a lidded bucket or large wet bag. I like to use a flip top kitchen bin next to the change table because they are easy to access and contain smells really well. It is not recommended that you soak your nappies at all.

Once you have a full load of nappies simply empty the bucket into the washing machine and wash! It is generally not recommended to leave nappies any longer than three days as urine can corrode fabric, especially potent teething wee. Some people like to do a cold rinse cycle or pre-wash first, but this is up to you. I like to do a rinse cycle so I can then add clothing to the main wash once the rinse is finished.

A gentle cold wash is recommended, however if you prefer a hot wash it must be no hotter than 60 degrees. It is essential that you use as little powder as possible, some people use none! You only need a half to a quarter of the recommended amount. This is because powder builds up and can eventually affect absorbency. If you do find this happens, you can do a strip wash (explained below). We recommend using eco-friendly powders however normal powders may also be used.

Fabric softeners, bleach, napisan and vinegar must NEVER be used on your nappies as they can wreck them. You can use an antibacterial or antifungal rinse such as canestan or dettol laundry rinse (available in the laundry section at most supermarkets) if you wish, however this is also not vital. Simply putting your nappies on the line or in a warm dryer is enough to kill any germs. UV rays in the sun are the best for killing germs as well as naturally bleaching any stains.

Naturally we recommend line drying your nappies as this is much cheaper,  better for the environment, and the sunlight has its natural sterilising and bleaching affects, however if you find you need to use a dryer it MUST be on a low setting. If the temperature is too hot it will damage the waterproof layer of the nappy and can cause the bamboo to shrink. If you find your nappies a bit ‘crispy’ after being line dried, you can pop them on LOW in the dryer for about 10 minutes to soften them up.

When line drying nappies, try and ensure the inside of the nappy is facing out to get the best out of the UV rays. If the weather isn’t great, you can pop your nappies on a clothes horse in front of a window.

Ensure nappies are dry before use, if they are still cold or damp to touch they will not be as absorbent.

Each brand of nappies we stock here at ecocubs will come with their own set of wash and care instructions. It is important you read these as well.

Strip wash

Sometimes washing powders can build up on nappies affecting their absorbency (you may have some sudden leaks), or you may find your nappies are starting to smell, particularly when your baby is teething, and this is when we recommend a strip wash.  A strip wash is basically popping all your nappies in the wash with a few drops of cheap regular dishwashing detergent. You then do regular, repeated wash cycles (we recommend one of them being a warm wash) until NO MORE suds can be seen.