How much more info can you take in???
Washing and caring for your nappies is really easy - but there is always someone who likes HEAPS of info - so this is for you!� (If you are not that person, then click away quick!)
Prefold washing.
All cotton cloth�nappies can be washed this�way.
When cotton prefolds are brand new, they must be washed a few times before they are able to absorb their maximum capacity.
After you�ve opened them up, wash and dry them THREE TIMES.
With each of the washes, use a HOT wash cycle with about 1/2 recommended amount of�detergent.
The detergent removes any residue still on the prefolds from the manufacturing process.
Using the�dryer fluffs the cotton.
For the unbleached prefolds, you should wash and dry them a 4th time in order to remove the natural waxes that did not get stripped by the bleaching process.
After this initial washing process, cotton prefolds do not require any special washing instructions.�
Never use fabric softener�
Liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets both leave a waxy residue on nappies�which causes cotton & fleece to repel urine and decreases the absorbency.
Fabric softeners, soaps, fragrances, and some detergents can cause build up of residues that hamper the nappies� ability to absorb urine and the�cover�s ability to repel it.
If you think your nappies�or covers aren�t working the way they used to or the way they�re supposed to, it may be that they have too much build up of residue.�� You may need to strip your nappies.
You can line dry or tumble dry your prefolds.� Tumble drying can make them softer and fluffier if they feel stiff coming off the line.� Sunlight is a great antibacterial, and also gets rid of stains.
Using vinegar in your final rinse cycle also helps to keep nappies soft - hard water makes them stiff.
If you take your nappies out of the tumble drier and they still have poo coloured marks on them - don't fret - next time you hang them outside the marks will go away.
You can iron your prefolds.� Hot ironing may also kill any bacteria remaining.� Have you got the time or energy?� Really?
Covers
Wraps do not need to be washed after each use, unless soiled.
Just �air out� and use another wrap.
When you do decide to wash your wrap,�SECURE VELCRO tabs.
This helps the Velcro keep its �stick-to-it-iveness� longer, and helps prevent it from snagging other items in the wash.
Hang drying your wraps will also increase their longetivity, although you may tumble dry.
DO NOT use chlorine bleach or other whitening agents on your�covers. Stain removers and 'boosted' whiteners may make your covers leak with continued use.
And avoid all fabric softeners!
Microfibre Inserts
Microfibre is a bit more temperamental to look after than cotton, but all of the tips above for prefolds work too.�
Don't iron!
Microfibre can absorb smells more than cotton seems to.� You can 'soak in' smells by soaking too long in water that doesnt have enough antibacterial agent in it - so make sure you use something if you are soaking your microfibre inserts
Soaking
Keep�a bucket next to your changing table, or by the toilet if you dump and flush.� You might use a small bucket (like the wipes tub) to plop the dirty nappy into on the changing table while you get your baby sorted, and have your main bucket in the laundry (or safe in the bath or shower tub).
Soaking is not really necessary, particularly if you wash regularly (every day or 2) or if you rinse your nappies first.
if you do want to soak, then you can:
1. Rinse your nappies first, then soak in tap water
2. Soak in 1/4 cup baking soda in a bucket of water
3. Use a chemical whitener (napisan original, oxygen whitener)
4. Use 4-5 drops of tea tree oil as an antibacterial agent
Dry Pailing
Dry Pailing is pretty much 'not-soaking'.� Get rid of the poo first by flushing the liner, and rinsing off any extra bits.� Chuck the nappy into a holding bucket/container of some description until you are ready to wash.� Some people use their washing machine as the holding bucket.� (When do they do their normal washing??)
You can use a couple of drops of either lavender or tea tree oil (on a wipe or similiar) to reduce the smell, or sprinkle with baking soda.�
Folding and Storing Tips
Think about where you want to store your nappies and covers.� Make it easy for you by not having to travel around at nappy changing time looking for things.
in the airing cupboard
next to the changing table
in a drawer in the baby's room
It is a good idea to fold them into the pad shape you use straight off the line, to minimise double handling.�
Stinky Cloth Prefolds!
If you find that your�prefolds, or inserts, are constantly stinking despite being washed there are several factors to consider.
You may be using too much detergent. Cloth prefolds are made to absorb and they do a great job! They will also absorb the detergent from the washing process. If you are using too much detergent, it is possible that it is not all being rinsed out during the washing process.
On the flip side, if you are not using enough detergent this could result in extra stinky nappies since you may not be getting your nappies clean enough.
You may need to start using vinegar. Vinegar brings pH levels down, killing more germs and balancing the pH back to a more neutral level. Vinegar works best with hard water; if you have soft water the vinegar may react with minerals in the water and cause an acrid odor in your nappies � especially noticeable every time your child urinates in them!
Do not use apple cider vinegar � it will leave a dingy brown hue to your diapers. White vinegar is cheap as chips in the supermarket or bulk buy store.
How do you know which of the above is the culprit?
Here are a few tests to try:
- First, to test if detergent build-up is the cause of your stinky nappies, wash�as you normally would. Then run a short wash cycle with no detergent. Open the lid (or look through the glass if you have a front loading machine) and see if there are suds forming. If so, you do have a detergent build up that needs to be rinsed away. You will need to� STRIP your nappies.
- If no suds form, then you may need to use more detergent, pre-rinse your nappies before washing.� Adding vinegar, if you have hard water, is another way to get your diapers cleaner.
- If no suds form and you are using vinegar this could be the cause. Vinegar works best with hard water; if you have soft water the vinegar may react with minerals in the water and cause an acrid odor in your nappies � especially noticeable every time your child urinates in them! Even hard water may have trace minerals.
WHAT IS STRIPPING?
Stripping isn't as important to know about with cotton prefolds as it is with fleece.�
Fleece nappies tend to have more of a problem with being�a bit fussy with laundry care.�
The advice about stinky prefolds above is as much stripping as you would ever need to do with cotton.�
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