WASHING GUIDE Cloth Nappies

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

Pre-Washing

All items will require washing prior to use. Our bamboo inserts will require soaking and washing before use to increase the absorbency of the material. We suggest leaving in a bucket of water overnight, but if you are in a hurry you can remove the items once they have sunk to the bottom. Maximum absorbency may take up to 8 washes.

Washing Instructions:

 1. Dry pail all soiled nappies after removing solid/loose waste from nappy. Using a soft silicon scraper/brush, dispose of all solid/loose faeces (poo) into toilet and rinse under running water. Squeeze excess water out of nappy and place in dry pail.

* A dry pail is an open basket/bucket with holes in the sides which provides maximum airflow. Do not cover with a lid or line pail with a bag of any sort.

2. Rinse cycle in the washing machine (30-45mins) at 40-60 degrees using small amount of detergent every 1-2 days to remove excess soiling. Use a cycle that drains dirty water prior to rinsing/spinning. Dry pail nappies following this or follow immediately with main 2-3 hour wash cycle (Cottons/Heavy Duty/Hygienic) using a detergent of choice according to recommended instructions on packet/bottle for load size. Refer to your washing machine manual in relation to choosing the long washing cycle. You need to choose the cycle that has a higher water level and longer spin cycle and allows you to program at a defined temperature (40-60 degrees).

3. Hang nappies out on a clothes line in direct sunlight with the inside lining facing the sun (to protect your outer designs from fading). Bamboo inserts may need stretching back into shape when wet, before being allowed to dry as being a natural fiber, they may shrink slightly.

4. If your nappy numbers start to dwindle at wash time, as your baby gets older, provide additional agitation to make sure the nappies are cleaned adequately by adding some smaller laundry items to the load. Avoid adding towels as they impede agitation being so heavy and large when wet.

5. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach.

6. Avoid zinc or petroleum based nappy creams/balms (unless using a nappy liner) as this will coat the nappy fibers and decrease absorbency or worse, make the nappy lining water repellent.

7. We do not recommend using tumble driers to dry the cloth nappies because excessive heat will damage the PUL layer. That said, it is usually OK to finish off drying the nappies on a low heat setting in a drier for a short period of time. Just don't let the covers become too warm. Nappies and inserts dry successfully on a clothes rack in a warm spot inside. Do not place close to direct heat.