Washing Guidelines
The following information is reproduced with kind permission of the UK Cloth Nappy Library Network, and is a collaboration between libraries, retailers, manufacturers, distributors and nappy organisations.
Everyone has different ways of washing nappies as they adapt their washing routine to their own machine and water type. People in a hard water area will probably need to use more powder than in a soft water area.
Those with more modern machines may need to select the wash cycle that uses the most water. Sometimes this is called an allergy setting or a super wash, but do check the washing machine instructions to make sure that the temperature will be suitable for nappies. Another option is to pour a jug of water in on top of the nappies before starting the wash. Do not be tempted to add extra water through the drawer during the cycle as this can unbalance and possibly damage the machine.
A guideline for a basic washing routine is generally agreed to be as follows:
Cold rinse in machine (removes and breaks up solids, loosens stains)
Use your usual non-bio detergent (the enzymes in biological detergents may damage bamboo or void your warranty)
Start with the recommended amount of detergent on the pack for your water hardness and heavy soiling, then adjust accordingly, a little each wash, until you have no suds in the final rinse of the cycle, but at least 3cm suds in the main wash part of the cycle. If you can't achieve this by adjusting the dose of your current detergent, you may want to try a different detergent.
Do not use any fabric conditioner (coats fibres and prevents proper absorption)
Wash at either 40 or 60 degrees (60 is recommended for killing germs and thrush)
Use an intensive wash cycle, not a quick wash or an "eco" setting (nappies need a lot of jiggling around to ensure they are clean AND properly rinsed)
Cold rinse in machine if unsure whether all detergent has been removed (not needed with Ecoegg)
Line dry (see below. For faster drying stand airer by radiator and set up a small fan blowing gently up the middle. This can cut drying time by more than half)
To find your correct dose: If there are any bubbles in the final rinse of the cycle, you will need to rinse again until they are gone, then reduce the detergent dose next time to prevent detergent build up. If you have less than 3cm of suds in the main wash, increase the detergent dose slightly next time. This way, you will find the right amount of detergent for your water type and machine.
Always wash at 60 if
Your baby is under 3 months
Your baby has repeated or unusual nappy rash
Your baby is unwell at all
You have more than one baby using the nappies
Using too much detergent on a regular basis can cause a build up in the nappies which can lead to nappy rashes, smelly nappies or nappies that leak. Ensure your washing machine is also cleaned regularly. Rashes and smells can also be caused by too little detergent being used, so use the guidelines above to help you optimise the amount you use.
You do not need to use a specific powder for your nappies, your usual detergent or an ecoegg should be fine. Start with a full dose and reduce if needed.
Do not use bicarbonate of soda, bleach, vinegar or napisan as over time they can damage the PUL and elastic in the nappies.
It is not necessary to wash nappies at a higher temperature than 60 and doing so could shorten the life of the nappies.
Line dry nappies where possible. It is more hygienic and better for the longevity of the nappies. If you must tumble them check that your nappies are safe to tumble before you do so and never tumble on hot.
Do not dry bamboo on a radiator that is too hot to touch. This will damage the fibres and eventually they will start to fall out (this damage usually looks like a slug has been munching your nappy/booster!) It is best to use an airer near a radiator.
If nappies are still smelly after washing then initially it may be caused by using too LITTLE detergent or could be caused by a build up of detergent. For either though the solution (a "strip wash") is the same: In a CLEAN washing machine, use a FULL dose of detergent in a 60 wash and then rinse until ALL bubbles have gone.
If this does not solve the problem, soak the nappies in icy cold water for 24 hours and then repeat. Once nappies are stripped, you will need to ensure that you are rinsing all the detergent out every time you wash to prevent the problem reoccurring, and if they then start to smell again then you may need to switch detergents.
If nappies smell strongly of wee when in use, it could be down to "teething wee" which also often causes nappy rash. Charcoal impregnated microfleece reduces acidity and helps with the smell and the rash. You can buy "Charcoal bamboo boosters/inserts" which are microfibre wrapped in charcoal impregnated microfleece, or you can buy/make charcoal impregnated microfleece liners.
It is worth noting that hemp nappies can have a strange smell to them. And that ecoeggs leave clothing and nappies unscented which can be odd when first using them as we are so used to detergent scenting our laundry.
It is virtually impossible to have a list of "cloth-safe" detergents because every machine works differently. In one machine liquid detergents may cause build up, yet in another machine liquid detergents work fine.
There is some basic agreement though that certain things should be avoided if possible:
* Most feel that powder causes less problems than liquid * Things to avoid, taken from manufacturer and retailer's websites, include:
Detergents with "cellulase" in the ingredients
Vinegar
Sodium bicarbonate
Calgon
Any fabric conditioner or tumble dryer sheets
Bleach
Napisan
"Vanish" and other harsh stain removers
Oxy-action stain removers
BumGenius/Cotton Babies specifically say, "Use non-bio washing powder which does not contain any perfumes, dyes, whiteners, brighteners or enzymes"
We would always recommend using a liner with creams regardless as there is no guarantee that a cream wont cause trouble for various reasons. Always rub creams in well and use sparingly to reduce the likelihood of problems. Disposable liners can cause nappy rash because they stay damp against the skin, so trying fleece liners is a good start. Silk liners and silver liners are also said to be better for rashes (silver is well known to have healing properties).
This is a list of creams etc that are generally agreed to be ok for cloth providing they are used sparingly and rubbed in well of course:
Breastmilk
Egg whites whipped into a froth
Little Violet's Baby Balm
CJ's BUTTer (all variants including tubs, tubes and spritz)
Balmy Notions
Ecosprout Bum Salve
Waitrose Bottom Butter
Pure Potions Salve (use a liner)
Pure Potions baby oil
Coconut oil
Lanisoh (use a liner)
Thirsties Booty Love
Sheepish Grins Bottom Balm
Pumpkin Butt Coconut oil (solid or cold pressed)
Cavilon (cream or spray)
California Baby Diaper rash cream
Angel Baby Botty Balm
Bio Baby Eco Spray
Chamomile tea (NOT chamomile essential oils)
Badger Balm (questionable, use a liner)
Weleda Baby Nappy Cream and other baby products
Burt Bees (use a liner)
Arbonne Baby range of products including nappy cream and lotion
Neal's Yards Baby CREAM (NOT baby balm)
Child's Farm products
Harry & Rose nappy spray
A note about essential oils:
Teatree is actually a very harsh oil for skin and should NOT be used on children under 12 years old. Many people use it to sanitise nappies but actually the quantity needed to effectively fully cleanse is way more than anyone would ever use. Quite a bit of skin redness issues can be put down to the use of teatree in the nappy bucket or wash.
Logic also tells us that using small quantities of any anti-microbial regularly could eventually result in resistant microbes. Teatree should only be used under guidance from a qualified aromatherapist.
Lavender can be used neat on skin and is considered to be safe for babies and young children (a VERY small percentage of people are sensitive to it though so it should always be patch tested) but it does sting a lot on broken skin, so a few drops in water is fine for wipes. It can be added to the wash as an antimicrobial additive. There is a common misconception that lavender is relaxing. It is, but only in very small quantities. In larger quantities, it is stimulating. So if you use lavender and find that your baby stops sleeping, that is probably why!
Chamomile is added to nearly every baby product these days as it is generally very gentle and safe to use with children.
However, in the last 10 years there has been a huge increase in the number of children with eczema, which does correlate to the increased use of chamomile. Aromatherapists would generally recommend avoiding chamomile oil unless under supervision for a specific problem. Chamomile tea is not the same as the essential oils and can be a lovely alternative.
Rose is extremely expensive so not often used, but is considered to be safe for use with babies.
Mandarin is not expensive and, diluted in a base oil, is generally safe for use with babies. Combined with lavender, it enhances the antimicrobial and healing properties, and it also said to be good for digestive health when a few drops in a base oil such as olive oil or grapeseed oil are massaged (clockwise) into the abdomen, but mandarin can stain so use with caution in that respect.
Everyone has different ways of washing nappies as they adapt their washing routine to their own machine and water type. People in a hard water area will probably need to use more powder than in a soft water area.
Those with more modern machines may need to select the wash cycle that uses the most water. Sometimes this is called an allergy setting or a super wash, but do check the washing machine instructions to make sure that the temperature will be suitable for nappies. Another option is to pour a jug of water in on top of the nappies before starting the wash. Do not be tempted to add extra water through the drawer during the cycle as this can unbalance and possibly damage the machine.
A guideline for a basic washing routine is generally agreed to be as follows:
Cold rinse in machine (removes and breaks up solids, loosens stains)
Use your usual non-bio detergent (the enzymes in biological detergents may damage bamboo or void your warranty)
Start with the recommended amount of detergent on the pack for your water hardness and heavy soiling, then adjust accordingly, a little each wash, until you have no suds in the final rinse of the cycle, but at least 3cm suds in the main wash part of the cycle. If you can't achieve this by adjusting the dose of your current detergent, you may want to try a different detergent.
Do not use any fabric conditioner (coats fibres and prevents proper absorption)
Wash at either 40 or 60 degrees (60 is recommended for killing germs and thrush)
Use an intensive wash cycle, not a quick wash or an "eco" setting (nappies need a lot of jiggling around to ensure they are clean AND properly rinsed)
Cold rinse in machine if unsure whether all detergent has been removed (not needed with Ecoegg)
Line dry (see below. For faster drying stand airer by radiator and set up a small fan blowing gently up the middle. This can cut drying time by more than half)
To find your correct dose: If there are any bubbles in the final rinse of the cycle, you will need to rinse again until they are gone, then reduce the detergent dose next time to prevent detergent build up. If you have less than 3cm of suds in the main wash, increase the detergent dose slightly next time. This way, you will find the right amount of detergent for your water type and machine.
Always wash at 60 if
Your baby is under 3 months
Your baby has repeated or unusual nappy rash
Your baby is unwell at all
You have more than one baby using the nappies
Hints and trouble shooting:
Using too much detergent on a regular basis can cause a build up in the nappies which can lead to nappy rashes, smelly nappies or nappies that leak. Ensure your washing machine is also cleaned regularly. Rashes and smells can also be caused by too little detergent being used, so use the guidelines above to help you optimise the amount you use.
You do not need to use a specific powder for your nappies, your usual detergent or an ecoegg should be fine. Start with a full dose and reduce if needed.
Do not use bicarbonate of soda, bleach, vinegar or napisan as over time they can damage the PUL and elastic in the nappies.
It is not necessary to wash nappies at a higher temperature than 60 and doing so could shorten the life of the nappies.
Line dry nappies where possible. It is more hygienic and better for the longevity of the nappies. If you must tumble them check that your nappies are safe to tumble before you do so and never tumble on hot.
Do not dry bamboo on a radiator that is too hot to touch. This will damage the fibres and eventually they will start to fall out (this damage usually looks like a slug has been munching your nappy/booster!) It is best to use an airer near a radiator.
If nappies are still smelly after washing then initially it may be caused by using too LITTLE detergent or could be caused by a build up of detergent. For either though the solution (a "strip wash") is the same: In a CLEAN washing machine, use a FULL dose of detergent in a 60 wash and then rinse until ALL bubbles have gone.
If this does not solve the problem, soak the nappies in icy cold water for 24 hours and then repeat. Once nappies are stripped, you will need to ensure that you are rinsing all the detergent out every time you wash to prevent the problem reoccurring, and if they then start to smell again then you may need to switch detergents.
If nappies smell strongly of wee when in use, it could be down to "teething wee" which also often causes nappy rash. Charcoal impregnated microfleece reduces acidity and helps with the smell and the rash. You can buy "Charcoal bamboo boosters/inserts" which are microfibre wrapped in charcoal impregnated microfleece, or you can buy/make charcoal impregnated microfleece liners.
It is worth noting that hemp nappies can have a strange smell to them. And that ecoeggs leave clothing and nappies unscented which can be odd when first using them as we are so used to detergent scenting our laundry.
"Cloth-safe" detergents and laundry additives
It is virtually impossible to have a list of "cloth-safe" detergents because every machine works differently. In one machine liquid detergents may cause build up, yet in another machine liquid detergents work fine.
There is some basic agreement though that certain things should be avoided if possible:
* Most feel that powder causes less problems than liquid * Things to avoid, taken from manufacturer and retailer's websites, include:
Detergents with "cellulase" in the ingredients
Vinegar
Sodium bicarbonate
Calgon
Any fabric conditioner or tumble dryer sheets
Bleach
Napisan
"Vanish" and other harsh stain removers
Oxy-action stain removers
BumGenius/Cotton Babies specifically say, "Use non-bio washing powder which does not contain any perfumes, dyes, whiteners, brighteners or enzymes"
"Cloth-safe" creams
Ideally, if the nappy is changed often enough and skin is allowed to air dry as much as possible, rashes will be reduced anyway. Any cream with paraffin or petroleum-based ingredients is generally a certain no.We would always recommend using a liner with creams regardless as there is no guarantee that a cream wont cause trouble for various reasons. Always rub creams in well and use sparingly to reduce the likelihood of problems. Disposable liners can cause nappy rash because they stay damp against the skin, so trying fleece liners is a good start. Silk liners and silver liners are also said to be better for rashes (silver is well known to have healing properties).
This is a list of creams etc that are generally agreed to be ok for cloth providing they are used sparingly and rubbed in well of course:
Breastmilk
Egg whites whipped into a froth
Little Violet's Baby Balm
CJ's BUTTer (all variants including tubs, tubes and spritz)
Balmy Notions
Ecosprout Bum Salve
Waitrose Bottom Butter
Pure Potions Salve (use a liner)
Pure Potions baby oil
Coconut oil
Lanisoh (use a liner)
Thirsties Booty Love
Sheepish Grins Bottom Balm
Pumpkin Butt Coconut oil (solid or cold pressed)
Cavilon (cream or spray)
California Baby Diaper rash cream
Angel Baby Botty Balm
Bio Baby Eco Spray
Chamomile tea (NOT chamomile essential oils)
Badger Balm (questionable, use a liner)
Weleda Baby Nappy Cream and other baby products
Burt Bees (use a liner)
Arbonne Baby range of products including nappy cream and lotion
Neal's Yards Baby CREAM (NOT baby balm)
Child's Farm products
Harry & Rose nappy spray
A note about essential oils:
Teatree is actually a very harsh oil for skin and should NOT be used on children under 12 years old. Many people use it to sanitise nappies but actually the quantity needed to effectively fully cleanse is way more than anyone would ever use. Quite a bit of skin redness issues can be put down to the use of teatree in the nappy bucket or wash.
Logic also tells us that using small quantities of any anti-microbial regularly could eventually result in resistant microbes. Teatree should only be used under guidance from a qualified aromatherapist.
Lavender can be used neat on skin and is considered to be safe for babies and young children (a VERY small percentage of people are sensitive to it though so it should always be patch tested) but it does sting a lot on broken skin, so a few drops in water is fine for wipes. It can be added to the wash as an antimicrobial additive. There is a common misconception that lavender is relaxing. It is, but only in very small quantities. In larger quantities, it is stimulating. So if you use lavender and find that your baby stops sleeping, that is probably why!
Chamomile is added to nearly every baby product these days as it is generally very gentle and safe to use with children.
However, in the last 10 years there has been a huge increase in the number of children with eczema, which does correlate to the increased use of chamomile. Aromatherapists would generally recommend avoiding chamomile oil unless under supervision for a specific problem. Chamomile tea is not the same as the essential oils and can be a lovely alternative.
Rose is extremely expensive so not often used, but is considered to be safe for use with babies.
Mandarin is not expensive and, diluted in a base oil, is generally safe for use with babies. Combined with lavender, it enhances the antimicrobial and healing properties, and it also said to be good for digestive health when a few drops in a base oil such as olive oil or grapeseed oil are massaged (clockwise) into the abdomen, but mandarin can stain so use with caution in that respect.