Washing Information

To ensure that you maintain warranty on your products, we recommend that you follow the manufacturers advice on washing information. We have however included some basic washing information below. 

Wash Routine Basics for Cloth Nappies: 

An effective cloth nappy wash routine has 4 steps:

  1. Pretreat (optional- great for stain prevention)
  2. Prewash (short wash in warm or hot water)
  3. Main wash (long wash in warm or hot water)
  4. Dry

Pretreat 
Pretreating is optional. Some parents will need to pretreat, as some babies have stainy poops. After rinsing the poopy nappies (or spraying the poop into the toilet with a nappy sprayer), rub a laundry soap such as Sard/Sunlight/Velvet into the fabrics until they're nice and bubbly. Pop your nappies back into the pail until you're ready to wash them.

Prewash
The prewash is a short wash cycle that removes excess soiling from your nappies, so that you can complete your main wash in clean water. You can see the difference in wash water quality in this photo- the prewash water is really dirty and won't result in a good clean, which is why your prewash needs to be followed by your main wash.

Your prewash is a short wash cycle (on most machines there will be an option for a quick or regular cycle that's around 30-60 minutes long). Warm to hot water (maximum 60 deg) will provide a more effective wash than cold.

Main Wash
The main wash is a long wash cycle that gives your nappies a really thorough clean. Use the longest cycle on your machine. For most front loaders, this is around 2-3 hours. For top loaders, this can vary from 1-3 hours. Complete your main wash in warm to hot (40-60degC) water for best results.

Dry
You can dry your nappies outdoors, indoors or in the tumble dryer. If you're drying outdoors, ensure your nappy covers/shells are in the shade as the waterproofing can be damaged by the sun. If you're drying in the dryer, you may like to dry your inserts only, and dry the shells on an airer or put them in for 10 minutes at the very end of the cycle. The dryer can melt or delaminate the waterproof outers, so if you're drying all in ones be sure to limit the heat to a warm temperature or check with your nappy manufacturer for their recommendation.

Wash Routine Basics for Night Nappies: 

Your night nappy is made of a cotton lycra outer with a 500gsm bamboo layer and a microfleece stay dry layer. The inserts are both a layer of 500gm bamboo hemp fleece and a layer of 500gsm bamboo with a microfleece stay dry layer on the anchor. These can be folded in a variety of ways. All components need a wash before wear to remove any washable marker left from the sewing process.

You will need to use a cover over the top of this nappy to prevent any leaks, a wool cover is recommended, but a PUL or microfleece cover can also be used. Night nappies have a high ammonia load and need some special care. They should be pre-washed within four hours of coming off the butt in the morning and go through a main wash every 2-3 days.

Washing Instructions:
1. Remove any poop into the toilet – rubber gloves and a rubber scrubbing brush are handy for this!
2. Either hand rinse the nappy in hot water with washing detergent, or put it on a prewash with other day nappies in the washing machine at 60 degrees. This should be done soon after taking it off in the morning.
3. After pre-wash, dry pail in an open basket until the main wash
4. Main wash should be a full load of already pre-washed nappies in your washing machine, ideally every 2-3 days. Use a long warm-hot wash and the full dose of a good quality detergent (read the detergent packaging for heavily soiled dosing instructions)
5. Inserts can be tumble dried but the shell should not as it can damage the elastics. All components can be dried in the sun.

Caring for Wool Covers: 

Your wool cover is made of 100% Australian Wool and just needs to be aired out after each use. You only need to wash and lanolise when your soaker becomes smelly or if you’re experiencing leaks. You will need to wash and lanolise your brand new wool soaker before the first use. A small amount of lanolin is provided with your purchase to get you started. I highly recommend the Gold Cross brand of lanolin.

Important Note: Do NOT use hot water, detergent with enzymes or bleach with your wool soaker. Refrain from twisting or wringing wool to remove water.

Washing Instructions - Option A - Handwashing:
1. Add small amount of wool suitable detergent to lukewarm water. Use Sard soap on spots that are soiled or to remove stains.
2. Turn cover inside out (dirtiest side) and immerse in water. If the cover has any dirty spots, gently massage the stain. Leave to soak for a couple of minutes.
3. Remove the cover, gently squeeze out water. Empty liquid. Refill container with lukewarm water and rinse the cover.
4. Ensure you lanolise (see below) before gently stretching into shape and laying out to dry.

Washing Instructions - Option B - Machine:
1. Place your wool cover into a laundry bag (small mesh bag that will help prevent it stretching or catching on the inside of the machine)
2. Use a wool wash detergent
3. Select a delicate cycle, a low temperature (30 degrees) and the lowest spin speed.
4. Once washed, remember to lanolise (see below) the cover before gently stretching into shape and allowing to air dry.

Lanolising Instructions:
1. In a mug combine a pea sized amount of lanolin with a small amount of boiling water.
2. Add a small amount of hand or body wash/wool wash/dishwashing detergent and stir until it has turned milky white (this means it has emulsified)
3. Allow your lanolin mix to cool slightly. Add the mix to approx. 500mL of lukewarm water and swirl. Put the cover inside out and submerge.
4. For additional water resistance, use 3 capfuls of a standard liquid fabric softener.
5. After soaking, turn cover the right way out and squeeze excess water out. Roll in a towel to remove excess water. It can also be spun in a washing machine wrapped in the towel in a wash bag.
6. Dry flat. The cover may be tacky after it is dry, this will disappear with use.

Washing Cloth Pads

Rinse after use

Rinse your pads in water until it runs clear, you can do this immediately after use or at the end of the day. You can use cold or hot water to rinse them. Menstrual blood has a different make-up to vascular blood and it won’t be set with hot water.

Pre-treat for stains                                                                                   

If you’re experiencing staining on your cloth pads, you may find it beneficial to pre-treat your pads before washing. We recommend using Sard or Sunlight bar soaps.

For persistent stains, try a warm/hot pre-wash, as outlined in the cloth nappy care instructions. You could also try adding a laundry booster such as Vanish to this pre-wash.

Main wash

The same routine for cloth nappies applies to cloth pads. 

Ensure you use enough detergent for a heavily soiled load. Use warm or hot water. Use a long cycle.

You can wash your cloth pads with your main nappy wash or general laundry.

Dry

Dry using your preferred method – hanging or in the dryer. 

Information Source: Cloth Nappy Help and Marlie and I