Have I ruined my nappies?

I often come across people one line asking “have I ruined my nappies?” when they find out that they (or someone else) has done something to their cloth nappies that isn’t recommended.  If you’ve been wondering “have I ruined my cloth nappies” and want to know how to fix things, then here we’ll look at some common cloth nappy issues.

Washing with fabric softeners

Back when my oldest son was tiny we went to stay at my parents for Christmas, my Mum very kindly washed his nappies and used fabric softener.  The next time I used them, they all leaked, my first thought was “have I ruined my nappies?” When it comes to cloth nappies, fabric softeners are a no no, because the softeners coat the fibres and stop the nappies from being absorbent.  It’s also important to make sure that you don’t use a washing powder that has a fabric softener in it, as this will have the same effect.  If you have used fabric softeners on your nappies, then don’t panic, this is reversible.  To get rid of the fabric softeners, a good soak, followed by a wash in your normal powder or liquid (that doesn’t contain fabric softeners) and then make sure that you rinse well afterwards.  You should be able to remove all traces of fabric softener by doing this.

Using baking soda and vinegar

Often in the past, the advice given to parents about washing their cloth nappies to get them really clean was to use baking soda and vinegar.  When it comes to day to day cleaning, I often use baking soda and vinegar, but for cloth nappies, it’s not such a good idea.  If you have used baking soda and vinegar, you may be wondering, have I ruined my nappies?
The main problem with using baking soda, is that it can cause bamboo nappies in particular to break down, it reacts with the fabric and starts undoing the chemical processes that were used to create the fibres in the first place.  If you have used baking soda on bamboo nappies, then stop, and with any luck you won’t have done it enough to cause any real damage. Vinegar can help remove powder built up, and soften nappies.  It can, however, sometimes react with the minerals in your water and cause smelly nappies.  If you are using it without any issues, and as long as the manufacturers of your nappies don’t suggest that you don’t use it, then there’s nothing to worry about and you can keep using it.  If it is causing smells, then again a good rinse is probably the best way to fix the issue.

Using ordinary washing powder

Lots of people use specialist cloth nappy washing powders on their nappies, then one day they have to wash using an ‘ordinary’ powder or liquid and then they begin to wonder have I ruined my nappies?  Most nappies don’t need a specialist cloth nappy laundry powder, you can of course use it if you want, and it won’t do any harm.  Using an ordinary washing powder shouldn’t do any damage either, and lots of people always wash their nappies using them.  If you avoid powders that have added fabric softeners then you should be ok.  Optical brighteners can damage your nappies over time, and some manufacturers recommend that you don’t use powders that contain enzymes.  You may need to play around with the amount of powder that you are using, if you still see bubbles at the end of the rinse process, then try using extra powder and/or adding an extra rinse until they are all gone.

Hot washing or tumble drying

Cloth nappies always used to be boil washed, but these days most people use cold or warm water to wash their nappies.  Hot washing isn’t necessary to properly wash nappies, and water that’s too hot can damage the PUL, snaps and elastics.  A one off hot wash will probably not do too much damage, but it’s best to avoid doing hot washes if you can.  Nappies that are regularly hot washed or tumble dried on high will often de-laminate, and the snaps can get damaged.  If you do want to hot wash your nappies for some reason, then try to just wash the inserts, rather than the shell or cover, as you are less likely to do damage that way.

Using barrier cream

Cloth nappies generally result in less nappy rash than disposable nappies, but most babies will suffer at least a little at some point, teething and illness can often result in a dose of nappy rash.  Barrier cream is often the best way to avoid nappy rash, and most treatments involve some type of cream.  These creams can build up in the fibres of the nappy, and often the result is a nappy that leaks and that liquid just runs off.  The best way to avoid this is to use a liner when using a barrier cream.  If you have got barrier cream onto your nappies, then giving them a rub with a laundry soap and warm water, followed by a warm wash should remove all traces.

Leaving too long between washes

Ideally you need to wash your nappies at least every other day, and leaving them longer can cause them to become damaged or have smells build up.  Ammonia smells in cloth nappies can become worse if you leave the nappies too long between washes.  If you have left your nappies a long time between washes, it might be worth giving them a long warm soak, before giving them a full wash.  If you can’t avoid going a long time between washes, then giving the nappies a good rinse as soon as you take them off your baby, should help to stop too much damage happening.

Have you ever wondered “have I ruined my nappies?”