Washing & caring for modern cloth nappies

Modern cloth nappies are widely available these days, but it’s still important to take good care of them.

Check out these useful tips on washing and drying modern cloth nappies and how to keep them in tip top condition.
 

Washing & caring for modern cloth nappies

1. Washing modern cloth nappies

• When you first buy your modern cloth nappies, remove the trifold and soak each nappy and trifold in a bucket of cold water overnight, then put them through a wash cycle with a very small amount of washing powder. This gets the fibres ready for use.

• After using a modern cloth nappy, first drop any solids into the toilet then store the used nappy in a dry pail until you are ready to wash.

• Separate the inserts from the nappy when placing them into the washing machine.

• When washing a load of modern cloth nappies, use 1/4 of a scoop of powder and lots of water. Put them on a rinse first, then add the power and do your normal cycle. A cold or warm wash is fine, but cold is better.

• Do not use fabric softener in your wash as this leaves residue on the nappies.

• However do a warm wash with 2 drops of tea tree oil fortnightly or monthly to make your modern cloth nappies last as long as possible.

• Do not use vinegar in the wash. It's acidic and not suitable for the fabrics.

• Also don’t ever use bleach!

• Wash your modern cloth nappies separately from your clothing and towels.

• Cloth nappies, inserts, liners, wipes and wetbags are all suitable to be washed together.

2. Drying modern cloth nappies

• The sun is a fantastic natural bleach and disinfectant.

• Peg your modern cloth nappies so the microfleece (inner) side is facing up towards the sky. If you do your wash load and hang it out in the afternoon or evening, then it can be dry by the next afternoon.

• If it's raining and wet, you may find using your hot water cupboard helpful. You'll be surprised at how some hot water cupboards can dry cloth nappies overnight!

3. Washing soakers & trifolds

• As hemp and bamboo contain natural oils, it can take up to 10 washes to remove the oils, making the insert/trifold more absorbent each time you wash it.

• Inserts can be used from new and washed with your modern cloth nappies, but remember not to use fabric softener.

• They can be soaked in a small amount of oxygen bleach for a very short amount of time (2-3 hours). Rinse well.

• Swimming nappies
• Tips on using modern cloth nappies at night
• Modern cloth nappy guide - before you start