The benefits of cloth nappies

The great cloth nappy debate has been going on for years. Experts from across the board never seem to agree. Here we will present what we believe are the benefits of using cloth nappies.

Babies skin is very delicate. There are three enemies to babies skin: wetness, heat, and chemicals. Introduce any element, or any combination thereof and your baby will likely develop a nappy rash. One study reports that only 7% of babies that use cloth experience nappy rash compared with 78% of babies that use disposables. Why is this? Disposable nappies use chemicals to help absorb wetness. These chemicals (often sodium polyacrylate) form a gel, that when wet, touches your babies delicate skin and can cause irritation. Because of these chemicals, it often becomes difficult to tell when your baby needs to be changed resulting in fewer nappy changes - leaving your baby sitting in a damp chemical stew. Not only that, but due to the very construction of disposable nappies they do not allow the skin to breathe; this causes the temperature next to the babies skin to rise. Heat and wetness are prime breeding grounds for bacteria, yeast and other rash causing agents. Cloth nappies solve all of these problems by allowing mum to know when baby is wet which leads to more frequent nappy changes, air circulates to babies bottom, allowing it to breathe; resulting in clean, healthy and chemical free containment. With the frequent nappy changing you may get the added benefit of your little one potty training early, and at least easier. Your child can feel when they have gone to the toilet; they are not artificially removed from the consequence which helps immensely in the potty training arena. 

With the issue of global warming foremost in our minds minimizing the amount of chemicals, water and energy we expend has become increasingly important to many of us. You should feel good about your decision to cloth nappy. Disposable nappies contribute approximately 4% of all solid waste in our landfills. One report estimated that the U.S. alone spends almost 300 million dollars annually removing disposable nappies. Using disposables increases the cost of solid waste management for everyone. Not to mention that no long-term studies have been done to evaluate the potential effects that waste leaching from disposables has on our ecosystem. Cloth nappies use less renewable and non-renewable resources at all levels of production and use than disposables. You can conserve energy and money by line drying your nappies instead of putting them in the dryer and of course please don’t use chlorine based nappy soaks when washing nappies. Please see "Doing the laundry" for further environmentally responsible advice on washing cloth nappies.

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Can cloth nappies save you money?

Cloth nappies have great potential to save you a significant amount of money. However, cheaper is not always better when it comes to cloth. Frustration will result from using inferior products. There are so many options; once you get started you will be able to decide what works best for you. Using prefolds and a wrap-style, or pull-on pant is one of the cheaper ways to nappy. Over time you will spend approximately $1000.00 in purchasing and caring for your nappies. That is a significant saving over the roughly $3000-$4000 you would spend using disposables. Your cost will go up if you venture into the ever-evolving world of fitted, one-size, custom and other types of cloth nappies and covers. But if your main purpose is to save money (a noble pursuit) you have the opportunity to save upwards of $3000.00 per child.

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Advantages of using wool

All of us want to do what is best for our babies; we also need to be reasonable and balance what is best with what is realistic considering our circumstances. Wool is no longer the complicated, time consuming fibre it used to be. It is a wonderful all natural fibre to use as a nappy cover. Wool is unsurpassed in its breath-ability, absorbency, and water repellence.

Keeping your babies' bottom cool and dry is of premium importance. Not only does it help to prevent nappy rash, it contributes significantly to your babies comfort. The structure of wool itself, as well as the natural lanolin that it contains makes it an ideal choice for a cover. There are many alternative fibres that covers can be made out of: nylon, polyester, PUL (polyurethane laminate), or fleece. All of these covers have advantages and disadvantages. Why not use the all natural fibre which breathes better than any synthetic fibre? At night a hemp, bamboo or organic cotton nappy plus 1 or 2 boosters and a wool cover is the ultimate. No other system works as well.

Of course, there is always a place for synthetic fabrics. Keep an emergency spare nylon or PUL cover in your nappy bag, and one on the changing table as a back up. However, there is no getting around the fact that not only is wool breathable, but it also absorbs wetness. No synthetic cover does that. There may have been a time that wool was impractical, but now with the wool washes that wash and lanolise in one easy step, and the advent of machine washable wools, care has never been easier.

Many parents are worried there child may be allergic to wool. Very few people are actually allergic to wool. More often than not, they are allergic to the substances that the wool has been treated with. Please use only natural wool washes such as Ecologic wool wash.

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Doing the laundry

Keep it simple. If you already have a method that works for you, then by all means do it. This is what we suggest: Wash on cold, then wash on hot, then finish with an extra rinse. Here are more detailed instructions:

• When you receive new cloth nappies, wash and dry them a few times to make them absorbent.
• We recommend a dry pail for keeping your dirty nappies. Just put the nappies, cloth wipes and soiled (non-wool) covers in the pail at each change, no rinsing required. Dry liners either washable or biodegradable are suggested to remove solids easily; especially with a newborn.
  Note: Once your baby is no longer exclusively breast-feeding, you will want to remove any solids into the toilet before putting the nappy in the pail. A Little Squirt is fantastic for this.
• On wash day, empty the contents of your pail into the washing machine including any covers and pail liners. This does not include wool. Wool is washed separate.
• Run a cold wash (detergent optional), then a hot wash with a eco powder or liquid (we recommend Eco Store or for those with allergies Seventh Generation Free & Clear), then a final rinse.
• Remove the clean covers and any pail liners if you are going to machine dry.
• Line drying is the best way to dry your nappies. The sun will bleach away any stains. To keep line dried nappies soft, you may want to toss them in the drier for a fluff up.
• See our problem solving section for problem solving.

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A brief note about detergents

We suggest using a Ecostore Laundry powder for best results but for those families with allergies we suggest fragrance and chemical free detergent such as Seventh Generation Free & Clear liquid or powder. Using as little as a quarter of the suggested amount of detergent on your nappies will help to prevent build up. This is especially noteworthy if using a front loading or high efficiency washing machine. Build up can contribute to nappy rash, foul odours and significantly reduced absorbency.

Avoid washing cloth nappies with soap products. Repeated washing with soap creates build up. Do not use fabric softener. This includes liquid or dryer sheets. Washing with fabric softener also creates build up. Do not use chlorine bleach. It will break down the fibers of your cloth nappies and reduce their life. In addition, it is rough against your baby's skin. Use of bleach and fabric softeners will void any warranties and guarantees in regards to your nappies. As an alternative once a week use; Ecostore Oxygen Whitener or Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Bleach. A common suggestion is to add extras such as baking soda or vinegar to the nappy wash water. These extras can sometimes cause problems that you wouldn't have if you had just stuck to the basics. If you feel like your laundry needs something more, start simple and modify your routine as needed.

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Care for new hemp, bamboo and organic cotton nappies

Hemp, Bamboo and organic cotton nappies need to be washed several times to remove the naturally occurring waxes and oils in them. This will increase the absorbency of your nappies.

Machine wash and dry them 4-5 cycles prior to use. Make sure to use detergent every time. Occasionally, it can even take up to 10 washings depending on your detergent, load size, water mineral content and machine.

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Care for wool covers

We suggest washing wool covers every two weeks or when your wool cover becomes soiled. Of course, you may wash more often, but remember frequent washings could shorten the life of your product.

How to wash a wool cover:

• Fill your sink or basin with cool to lukewarm water.
• Add your wool items and get them wet.
• Add the wool wash we suggest Ecologic. Gently squeeze and massage to create lather.
• Drain water and rinse item under cool water.
• Lay on a towel and roll to get out excess water (or do a delicates cycle spin in the washing machine).
• Lay flat to dry. Avoid excessive heat or sunlight.

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Lanolising wool

After your wool cover has been washed a few times, the lanolin may need to be restored to maintain its waterproof qualities. Even if you wash your cover with a wool wash that contains lanolin, you may find that an occasional extra lanolising will improve its performance. We suggest our own brand of Certified Organic Lanolin. Lanolin is the natural oil present in sheep's wool. It is a naturally waterproof coating that stops sheep from getting soggy in the rain; the water simply runs off their wool. It’s easiest to lanolise a wool cover just after it has been washed. (It is not necessary for it to have dried.)

Here's how:

• Stir approximately a pea sized amount of lanolin or equivalent amount of liquid lanolin into a cup of very warm water.
• Add mixture to a sink or container of cool or lukewarm water.
• Add clean cover. Gently squeeze and swish.
• Allow cover to soak for a few minutes. Drain water. (Do not rinse).
• Lay on a towel and roll to get out excess water (or do a delicates cycle spin in the washing machine).
• Lay flat to dry. Avoid excessive heat or sunlight.

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Problem solving

Nappies are stiff or seem to have lost their fluff

Causes:

• Using bleach.
• Using too much detergent and/or not rinsing it all out.
• Line drying nappies

Solution:
DO NOT use fabric softener to solve this problem! It will create new problems. Once again go back to basics using a good quality chemical free laundry powder such as Ecostore.
Popping line dried nappies into the drier for 5-10min will soften them.

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Can't get organic baby stains out

Causes:

• Exclusively breastfed babies.
• Stains from older babies.

Solution:
Stains are inevitable. They do not necessarily mean your nappies are dirty.

• After washing, hang the offending nappies while wet in the sun. Sunlight naturally bleaches even set stains. Hanging them in a sunny window on a winter’s day can also fade stains. For stubborn stains, apply a little lemon juice to the problem area when sunning.
• Make sure to remove any solids before throwing the nappies in the pail. These stains can also be sunned out.
• Soak overnight in an oxygen based whitener such Ecostore.

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Wet nappies smell like ammonia

Causes:

• Using too much detergent and/or not rinsing it all out.
• Hard water build-up.

Solution:

• The extra detergent built up in your nappies needs to be removed. Wash the nappy with very hot water and no detergent. Check for suds. Continue washing until suds disappear. Lessen the amount of detergent used in the future.
• Rinse with 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar to neutralize odours.

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Nappies still smell even after washing

Causes:

• Nappies are not getting rinsed enough.
• Wash water is not hot enough.
• Using too much detergent and/or not rinsing it all out.
• Hard water build up.

Solution:

• Make sure to remove any solids before the throwing the nappies in the pail. Use  Dry liners  to make the job easier. Run an extra rinse cycle.
• The extra detergent built up in your nappies needs to be removed. Wash the nappy with very hot water and no detergent. Check for suds. Continue washing until suds disappear.
• Lessen the amount of detergent used in the future.
• Add eucalyptus or tea tree oil to rinse water.

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My nappies are leaking!

Causes:

• New nappies
• Fit
• Absorbency
• Covers are 'wicking'
• Wool cover needs to be re-lanolised

Solution:

• New nappies need to be washed several times to reach their full absorbency. This is especially true of prefolds.
• The waist and legs should fit snugly on baby. It the problem usually occurs when using prefolds, try using pins or a snappi for a custom fit. Going up a size or skipping sizes often can create gapping problems. Babies come in all shapes and sizes. Not every fitted nappy or cover will fit every baby perfectly. It is wise to buy one of a particular nappy you are interested in to see how it fits on your baby before investing in several.
• A simple solution is to change baby more often. If you already do, try adding a booster (or sometimes two for night) for extra absorbency. If your child can wet enough to get a nappy to leak in a 3 hour period then you probably plain old need more absorbency. Rather than buying new nappies try boosting the current absorbency of the ones you have by adding boosters or soakers.
• Covers are not intended to act as a second nappy. Their purpose is to keep the wetness from spreading to the outside.
  Is wetness happening mostly around the legs? Check to make sure that all parts of your nappy are completely tucked inside the cover. Even a small bit of nappy fabric sticking outside of the cover can cause a surprising amount of moisture to seep out quite quickly.
  If you still get wicking at the legs the next step is to check your cover. Do the cover leg openings fit your child's thighs snug without leaving red marks? Are there signs of peeling or disintegrated waterproofing on the inside of the cover? Does the cover have a fabric binding or cotton thread that might be wicking? Has the cover been washed using bleach or similar harsh additives? Had your cover been accidentally put into the drier?
• Is your wool cover due for a relanolsing? See our instructions on how to care for and lanolise wool.

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Nappy rash

Causes:

• Yeast
• Dietary Changes in mother or baby.
• Using too much detergent and/or not rinsing it all out.
• Leaving a wet or dirty nappy on too long.
• Teething

Solution:

• Change baby frequently to prevent a rash. Give the nappy area lots of air whilst you change. Be sure to make sure the area is dry before putting on a new nappy. Nappy free time is a good idea if it’s warm enough around the house.
• Using a micro fleece liner for night time to wick moisture away from baby’s skin.
• Try figuring out what the offending food is and remove it for a while. You can try it again later in smaller doses hopefully without the baby getting a sore bottom in the process.
• If the rash is persistent, it could be yeast. Try a natural anti-fungal cream. Drying your nappies on hot in the dryer until fully dry and then sunning them for an afternoon is a good idea to kill all lingering traces of yeast.
• Use a good quality natural bottom balm such as Cherub Rubs Bum Balm. Or our wonderful Claymazing Powder (coming soon!).
• The extra detergentbuilt up in your nappies needs to be removed. Wash in very hot water and no detergent. Check for suds. Continue washing until suds disappear.

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