How to wash cloth nappies

Want to know more about how to wash cloth nappies? Read our top tips:

• When the nappy is dirty put it into a nappy bucket.
• You can soak your washable nappies if you want to, but most people find it easier just to dry pail their cloth nappies.
• If your bucket gets a bit smelly then a drop of lavender, tea tree or similar oil on a sanitary towel stuck to the lid. Or on a piece of cloth in the top of the bucket, works wonders.
• You don’t need to buy a specific nappy bucket. Any large plastic container with a lid will do the job, and will probably be a bit cheaper than a bucket sold as a nappy bucket.
• Try to wash cloth nappies at least every other day, so that they are not sitting dirty for a long time.
• Check out our Guarantee page for what not to do.

How to wash cloth nappies

• It’s not necessary to boil wash cloth nappies. A warm wash should be enough. If you use a nappy sanitiser, you can even wash them on cold.
• Don’t use fabric conditioner, as this will make your nappies less absorbent, and build up in the fibres.
• The water in New Zealand is generally fairly soft, so stiff nappies aren’t usually a problem. If you are finding that they dry a bit stiff then give them a bit of a rub before and after you dry them.
• Use a full scoop of powder to wash cloth nappies.
• The key thing is to check that all suds are rinsed out when you wash them.
• In some cases, people find that they need to use a little more powder. Don’t be afraid to experiment and get the right amount for you and your water type.
• You do not need to buy a special type of washing powder. Avoid those with softeners in them, as these can cause build-ups and smelly nappies.

 

Dealing with stains

• If you have any stains on them, particularly the yellow, newborn poo stains, which generally won’t come out in the wash, the best way to clear them is to hang them in the sunshine, it really works!!
• You shouldn’t need to rub or scrub your nappies in order to get them nice and clean.
• If you rinse your nappies either before putting them in your nappy bucket, or in the machine before washing, it can help to remove stains and stop smells from building up.
• Some stains may take a little longer to come out, but after a few washes, they should look nice and clean again.

Is washing cloth nappies hard?

No, once you start using cloth, it’s easy to get a routine. It doesn’t need to be hard work and most people find that it’s fairly easy. You don’t need to do anything complicated or special to make sure that your washable nappies are at their best.