Preparing your new nappies

Soak your new nappies over night in a bucket of cold water before washing two or three times on a regular wash cycle.  You do not need to dry between washes and need only use detergent for the first wash.  As it can take up to 6 washes for the fibres of your nappies to reach full absorbency you may need to change a them a bit more frequently the first few times you use them.

Day-to-day nappy care

It can take a bit of trial and error to discover what washing routine works best for you, but in short it should go something like this;

Cleaning: Deposit any solids into the toilet and rinse your nappy as soon as possible (even if it’s just a wee).  This will minimise staining, cut down on smell and stop potential fabric damage from acidic wee.

Storing: Place your nappies in a dry bucket, bin or wet bag (you can soak in water but we recommend dry pailing).  NEVER use bleach or soakers, including Napisan, as they will compromise the waterproofing, elastic and bamboo in your nappies, can cause rashes and will void your warranty.  During humid weather you may find a swing top bin or bucket without a lid is a less ‘sweaty’ way to store your nappies.  If you have a front loader you may find it easier to load your nappies into the machine by storing them in a wet bag.

Washing: Empty your nappies into your washing machine every day or two and wash in cold or warm water (max 60˚) using an ‘eco friendly’ detergent.  Earth’s Choice, Planet Ark, Eco Store & Tri-Nature are all great. Ensure you avoid detergents high in citrus, perfumes or phosphates.  Use the amount of detergent specified on the box for the load size you are washing. DO NOT use fabric softeners or soap-flakes, as they will make your nappies water repellent.  If using a front loader, we recommend you run an additional rinse cycle at the END of your wash to avoid smelly and/or leaking nappies.

Drying: Sunlight is the most economical way to dry your nappies.  In addition UV light will eliminate bacteria and bleach any stains out of your nappies.  Try to avoid leaving nappies in direct sun for long periods as intense heat can perish the elastic and make your nappies stiff. Hang nappies with as much fabric exposed to the air as possible and avoid putting too much stress on the leg elastic and internal absorbency by hanging horizontally rather than from the front or back of the nappy.  Absorbent inserts, fitted nappies and pre-folds can be tumble dried on a medium heat.