WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH REAL NAPPIES
Whatever make or type of nappy you have, you will need:
- Something draw wet away from baby's bottom and catch poo
- Usually called a LINER
Varieties of materials include:
- Flushable paper liners
- Fleece liners
- Silk liners
- Something to soak up the wetness
- This will be the NAPPY
Different nappies include the following and each have their pros and cons:
- Flat Nappies include; Terries, Muslins or Prefolds
- Shaped Nappies; Many different shapes sizes and materials with different fastenings
- Boosters can add extra absorption to some nappies
- Something to keep all the wet enclosed
- Usually called a WRAP
- Materials include the most common Polyurethane Laminate (PUL)
- Fleece and Wool Wraps are also available
- Fastening is usually velcro or popper
WASHING REAL NAPPIES IS EASY
- Wash new nappies a couple of times before you use them to make them more absorbent
- A 60º C wash in our modern machines is all you need to wash and sanitise nappies
- Clean wet nappies can go in a wash with other items at 40º C
- No need to soak - store in a dry, lidded bucket.
- If you wish to soak soiled nappies use a non-biological pre-soak such as napy fresh or a few drops of tea-tree oil
Please note an extract from Fuzzi Bunz regarding using Tea-Tree oil with their nappies:
"You can use a few drops or sachet of tea tree oil on an occasional basis to control odors in your diaper pail, but we strongly discourage the overuse of tea tree oil (i.e., only use a FEW drops every so often). We do not recommend using tea tree oil when washing your Fuzzi Bunz diapers. Such oils can cause build up on your diapers, which can result in the diapers repelling liquids and causing them to leak".
- Pre-soaked and sanitised nappies can go in the wash with other clothes or be washed at 40º C
- Sunshine deodorises, sanitises and naturally removes stains
- Most nappies can be tumble dried, remember tumble drying can 'wear nappies out' quicker and add to the environmental impact, tumble dry on cool setting if tumble drying.
- Use your normal washing powder that you are using for your baby's clothes. Be aware that nappies are in contact with very sensitive skin and if they are suffering from any reddness the washing powder may be a contributing factor.
- The Eco-Balls and environmentally friendly washing powders such as Ecover and Bio-D have proved as effective as the big brands at washing real nappies. (Please contact us if you need more information on this and where to get them from).
- Do not use fabric conditioners in the wash.
- Do not use any bleaching agent or stain remover.
- Real nappies usually do not smell but a build up of ammonia from the urine can occur which sometimes leaves nappies smelly. If this is the case soak in a bucket with a few drops of tea tree oil, or wash nappies on a cold cycle to get rid of the urine and then put them through the usual wash. Half a lemon in the wash can also help.
- To keep nappies soft; Tumble dry for 5 / 10 mins when they are still damp, or give them a good shake before putting them on the line, you will notice nappies dried on a very windy day will be softer, or when dry rub the nappy together in your hands to break up limescale build up.
- To remove stains; Sunshine is the best stain remover. If stains are stubborn squirt with some lemon juice before storing, or soak in a bucket of water with with a small cup of bicarbonate of soda.
- If you do a wash cycle with no washing in on the hottest setting on your machine will help keep the machine clean and remove any odours. A cup of clear vinegar in the drawer when doing this will also help.
- Using softening agents such as Calgon could cause extra wear and tear on the elastic in your nappies.
