How to use Real Nappies
Before you start using real nappies
All nappies require a pre-wash before using them for the first time.
This will make them more absorbent. Some nappies for example hemp, may take
around 5 washes to get them up to their maximum absorbency.
How to put a real nappy on
- Put a liner inside the nappy (unless the nappy has a built-in liner).
Make sure the liner is the right size for the nappy. The liner can either
be fleece or flushable paper.)
- Fasten the nappy securely around baby.
- Cover with a wrap (wraps can be reused unless dirty or if they have
been in use for a day).
- Check that none of the nappy or liner is sticking out of the wrap otherwise
wicking can occur.
How to take a real nappy off
- With baby lying on the changing mat, undo the wrap. If it's not dirty,
you can use it with the next nappy.
- Undo the nappy. Unless it's very dirty, you can leave it in place while
cleaning baby's bottom.
- If using a fleece liner and there is no solid waste on it, leave it
inside the nappy. If it has solid waste, remove and place solid waste
down the toilet. If using disposable liners, remove and dispose.
- Wipe the baby (you can use cloth wipes
with water and wash them with the nappies).
- If the nappy is dirty and you have used a flushable paper liner, then
flush the liner and solids down the toilet (provided your sewage system
can cope with this, and that the liner is flushable.
- If the nappy is dirty and you have used a fleece liner or if your sewage
system cannot cope with flushable liners, then hold the liner over the
loo and let the solids drop off. If that does not work, then flush the
toilet over the liner, hold on to the liner, and this should remove enough
of the solid waste prior to washing.
- Put the wet or dirty nappy into your bucket or bag.
Nappy buckets and soaking
- Follow the nappy manufacturers instructions for washing and soaking
nappies. Certain nappies and wraps should only be washed at 40 degrees,
some coloured nappies can be affected by soaking in tea-tree - please
check manufactures instructions first. If in doubt, ask us.
- Any bucket with a lid will can be used as a nappy
bucket.
- A nappy mesh is a mesh bag that hangs
inside the bucket so that you can lift out all the nappies together when
you come to wash them. This is very handy, and saves you having to touch
the nappies.
- Nappies no longer need to be soaked. You can place the dirty/wet nappies
inside the mesh in the bucket until they are ready to be washed. If nappies
are particularly dirty then they can be put on a rinse cycle before washing.
If nappies are not soaked, then a nappy sanitiser should be used in your
detergent drawer of the machine along with the detergent.
- If you choose to soak nappies then this will remove some of the waste
before washing. If nappies are soaked in a solution of nappy sanitiser
or tea-tree and water, then no sanitiser is needed in the machine.
- Wraps should not be soaked.
Washing
- Check that velcro fastenings are folded down before washing, to prevent
them catching on the nappies.
- Nappies should be washed at the temperature recommended by the manufacturers.
Some manufacturers are stating nappies should be washed at 40 degrees
now, rather than 60. This will reduce the wear and tear on them. Nappies
no longer need to be boiled, this will damage them.
- Fabric conditioner should not be used as it makes the nappies less absorbent.
- Washing powders with bleach in them will affect the colour in coloured
nappies.
- It's best to use a non-biological washing power, as this is more gentle.
Also, use around 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of detergent that is recommenced
by the manufacturer as you do not want a build up of detergent on the
nappies.
- If you find that the nappies are a bit hard, then fill the conditioner
part of the machine drawer with white vinegar and this helps soften nappies.
- It is worth washing clean nappies without detergent once in a while
to remove any detergent that has built up...watch the bubbles, you'll
be surprised.
- You might find a rinse or pre-wash helps keep the nappies looking bright,
especially if you don't soak the nappies before washing.
Drying
- It is best to dry nappies on the washing line when you can, this is
free, good for the nappies, and the sunlight helps remove stains from
nappies, and from clothes - try it next time you have tomato stains on
babies top!
- Most nappies can be tumble dried on a gentle setting - check manufacturers
instructions first. Try to minimise the amount of tumble drying as it
will cost money, use more energy and can shorten the life of the nappy.
- Wraps must not be tumble dried or placed on radiators as this can damage
them, they will dry in minutes on a clothes horse,
- Ten minutes in a tumble drier will soften up nappies that have been
hung up inside.
- Your drying facilities are a major part in deciding which nappy system
to choose, and how many nappies you will need.
