Tips for washing fabric nappies
Your baby's reusable nappies must be thoroughly washed to remove all traces of ammonia and bacteria that could cause irritation.
© Jupiter
Special nappy sterilants are available that make this process much easier and less time-consuming. With this method the nappies are soaked in a sterilizing solution for a specified length of time and then only the soiled nappies have to be washed with powder; the wet nappies are simply rinsed out thoroughly, then dried. Whenever you wash nappies use pure soap flakes or powders. Avoid strong detergents and biological enzyme powders as these will irritate your baby's tender skin.
If you have to use a fabric conditioner because the towelling has become stiff, make sure that you rinse it all out; despite manufacturers' instructions to the contrary, this too can cause irritation. Unless the nappies are very stained, or have become rather grey, there is no need to boil them. Hot water is sufficient for both rinsing and washing after using sterilizing tablets. Never add coloured clothing to the sterilizing solution - the colour will run. Even if the clothing has been soiled, just remove the worst of the mess, rinse the item and then wash as normal.
Nappy washing routine
To balance the chores of feeding, changing and nappy washing, try to develop a routine whereby you wash the nappies in sufficiently large loads. The pre-requisite of this routine is a large supply of nappies - I suggest no fewer than 24. In order to sterilize the nappies you will need two plastic bins: one for soiled nappies, one for wet ones. They should be large enough to hold at least six nappies, plus solution, and they must have lids and strong, reliable handles. Don't, however, buy such a large bin that you can't carry it fully loaded to the washing machine or bath. Special nappy bins are sold but any bin of a decent size with a lid is suitable. Bins designed for beer-making are ideal and they are also reasonably priced.
Each morning fill the bins with the required amounts of water and solution. Rinse a urine-soaked nappy in cold water, squeeze out the excess moisture and put it into the bin. Remove as much faeces as possible down the lavatory, then hold the soiled nappy under the water as you flush it to remove the excess. Wring out the nappy and submerge it in the solution. After the required time, wring out both sets of nappies. Rinse the urine-soaked ones thoroughly in hot water before drying them. Wash the soiled ones in a washing machine and dry them.
To reduce the environmental impact of laundering reusable nappies, it's best to wash them in as large a load as possible at lower temperatures.
You might like to consider using a nappy-laundering service, available nationwide, except in very isolated areas. You store dirty nappies in a deodorized bin that has a biodegradable liner. For a weekly fee, the nappy-laundering service takes away your dirty nappies and replaces them with fresh ones. You may need to have a bigger supply of nappies though.
Washing plastic pants
If plastic pants become soiled or wet they should be washed in warm water with a little washing-up liquid. If the water is either too hot or too cold the plastic hardens and becomes unusable. Pat the pants dry after washing and leave them to air before using. One way of softening plastic pants is to tumble dry them with a load of towels.
Tips for washing fabric nappies
- Keep plastic gloves near the bucket for lifting nappies out; alternatively use plastic tongs.
- If you use powder sterilant, always put the water in before the powder. Otherwise the powder spreads through the air when you add the water and you may inhale the powder.
- Both drying in the open air and in a tumble drier keep the fabric softer. If you use radiators to dry nappies they tend to harden the fabric. It's better to invest in a rack that can be placed over the bath or to use a pull-out line if you can't dry outdoors or with a tumble drier.
- Always keep any nappies changed at night in a separate bucket, or in a large plastic bag, and add them to the new day's solution the following morning.
- Some buckets have special holders for air-fresheners. If yours doesn't, hook a piece of wire through a freshener and attach it above the water line.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
Get more on this subject…
