- How will I clean my cloth nappies?
- Is it going to take more time?
- Is washing cloth nappies hard?
Prepping Your Nappies
Before using cloth nappies for the first time, you need to wash them. Like any absorbent fabric, this first wash helps wear them in and prepare them for some thirsty work ahead. This doesn’t take long. See our simple 3 step process below. If you want to (or have time up your sleeve waiting for bubs) you can repeat these washing steps 2-3 times with your inserts to maximise absorption.
- Soak your inserts overnight in warm water.
- Wash both inserts & covers with mild detergent.
- Completely (air) dry inserts and covers (in shade).
Washing Routine Basics Here’s how to clean cloth nappies in 4 simple steps.
- Remove solids. Drop poo in the loo and store the used cloth nappy in a dry pail.
- Pre-wash cycle. Run a pre-wash cycle 40-60 degrees with mild detergent daily, no bleach. This removes the majority of soiling and gets your nappies ready for the main-wash. Store nappies in a dry pail until the main wash.
- Main-wash cycle. Run a long main-wash cycle 40-60 degrees with mild detergent every 2-3 days. Do not use bleach, whiteners, boosters, softeners or oxidised bleach additives.
- Hang to dry. Air dry nappy shells in the shade by hanging the centre of the nappy crotch over the line to distribute weight evenly. Leave until they are completely dry. Air dry inserts and boosters until completely dry. If you want more drying tips, check out our 7 simple tips to help you dry cloth nappies, even in winter, here.
A note on poo
Many first-time users of cloth nappies wonder what to do with poo, again, it’s not as bad as you might think - we have written a blog all about dealing with number twos here if you want a little extra guidance. For extra help making number two changes easier we recommend trying our Mess Free Compostable Liners.
Sample Washing Routine
Families have a variety of washing routines to suit their lifestyle and preferences. You’ll soon develop your own rhythm that works best for you. But to demonstrate how easy it is, here’s an example washing routine that many families follow, especially if using cloth nappies overnight.
- Every morning Run a pre-wash cycle containing yesterday's used nappies and last night’s night nappy. Do not add bleach to your pre-wash. Place pre-washed nappies into a dry pail once finished.
- Every second night Run a main-wash cycle containing all pre-washed nappies from the dry pail. Make this a long wash at 40-60 degrees. Do not use bleach, whiteners, boosters, softeners or oxidised bleach additives. Hang to dry (centre of nappy crotch over the line) the following morning.
The Don'ts of Cloth Nappy Washing & Care
Although there are various opinions on cleaning cloth nappies, it's important to note that our washing guidelines are designed specifically for our eco-nappies. It's advisable to avoid following the care guidelines of other brands or organisations, as doing so can potentially shorten the lifespan of your nappies by causing degradation to the elastics and PUL lining. Please be mindful to exclude the following from your care routine:
- Do not use bleach
- Do not use fabric softener
- Do not use whiteners, chlorine bleach, oxygen-based bleaching agent, dyes, perfumes, or essential oils.
- Do not use detergent containing additives (whiteners, chlorine bleach, oxygen-based bleaching agent, fabric softeners, dyes, perfumes, essential oils) or natural soap
- Do not tumble dry
- Do not was in temperatures exceeding 60ºC
- Do not soak
Cloth Nappy Washing Guide (Free Download)
Download our free washing guide to help make cleaning cloth nappies simple for everyone in the household. This free download is designed to be printed and placed near your washing machine for perfectly clean nappies, every time. DOWNLOAD WASHING GUIDE HERE
