In the realm of parenting, cloth nappies are making a remarkable comeback, increasingly prevalent in households.
Yet, misconceptions persist about their use, often portraying cloth nappy washing as a return to primitive methods like hand-washing in a river, which couldn't be further from the truth! đ The reality is that the washing routine is far more adaptable to modern living, thanks to flexibility and the convenience of technology (hello, washing machine!).
In our experience, delay start washing has become a lifesaver (and not just for cloth nappies â with two kids at home, our washing machines are always running! đ ).
Simply adjusting the cloth nappy washing routine to fit your family's needs can make all the difference â whether you work from home, prefer morning, afternoon, or evening laundry sessions, or time it with hanging out the laundry.
Knowledge is key. Through interviews with experienced cloth nappy mums, we aim to help you seamlessly integrate cloth nappy washing into your daily routine, sharing real-life experiences, practical tips, and valuable recommendations from successful cloth nappy-using families.
As our interviewees have revealed, here are the essential tips:
Information: Seek advice. At UnuPana, we offer support and free resources for those embarking on their cloth nappy journey. Reach out through our website, and we'll schedule a free consultation to guide you.
Convenience: Tailor your washing routine to suit your lifestyle. Opt for delay start of washing, designate specific days, or choose your preferred time slots. Start small and adjust as needed.
Just do it: It's easier than you think. Explore the routines of our cloth nappy mums in our interviews and find inspiration to get started.
Curious to learn more? Keep reading below! ⏠đ
Name: Jill
Mom of Sahar
Using cloth nappies since July 2022 until now
Location: Damme, Belgium
Commencement of Cloth Diapering.
Can you share your cloth diapering journey and when you began using cloth diapers for your baby?
I started with cloth nappies in the hospital, but I didn't find the right routine there, so I stopped using them. Once at home, I immediately resumed using them. I had to search for some information because I had forgotten a bit from the consultation. But after watching the videos again and asking for advice in a cloth nappy group, I have been able to successfully use cloth nappies for 18 months.
I use covers with an insert. I have always been happy with this system. It works very well for me with my daughter. Sometimes you have to search again if you lose some absorption, like when I started using nappies at night, I'm sure this won't be the same with my second child.
I have no problems with washing. In summer it's easier because you can hang them out in the sun and fold them in the evening. In winter it takes a little longer (in Belgium). But honestly, I have enough cloth nappies to not run out. I'm very happy that my husband also supports me with this, and I also take the nappies when I travel!
Washing Routine Inquiry.
Could you walk us through your effective cloth diaper washing routine? Share tips for maintaining cleanliness and freshness.
I wash my cloth nappies on Wednesdays and Sundays at night.
First, a 40-minute rinse cycle without any detergent. Then, an allergy-friendly wash with additional rinses for just over 3 hours. In this, I add Biotop liquid, three caps. I also include additional clothing at 60°C, such as towels, cleaning cloths, bibs, etc.
Consistency in Routine.
Has your cloth diapering routine evolved over time, and if so, how does it compare to when you initially began?
Not really. At the beginning, I had to find the right frequency and maybe wash a little faster because I didn't have enough cloth nappies. Now, my method works perfectly, so I don't want to change it.
Challenges in Washing Tasks.
Did you encounter any challenges in adapting to specific aspects of washing cloth diapers? Share your experiences and how you overcame any difficulties.
What I find most difficult is folding the laundry. Sometimes I'm too tired, and I usually leave it for when I have to do the next load of laundry.
Advice for New Cloth Diaper Users.
For those embarking on their cloth diapering journey, what valuable tips and advice would you offer to make the experience seamless and efficient?
Schedule an appointment for a cloth nappy consultation and gather information.
Don't be overwhelmed by all the different washing routines. If something works for you, stick with it. It seems much more difficult than it really is.
Join a cloth nappy group on Facebook. You can always ask for advice there, and it's nice to talk to like-minded people about it.
Name: Cara Berkers-Leenen
NoutÂŽs mum
Using Cloth Diapers since January 2023
Location: Asten, The Netherlands
Commencement of Cloth Diapering.
Can you share your cloth diapering journey and when you began using cloth diapers for your baby?
After the quarantine, once the poop turned yellow, we started using cloth nappies. During pregnancy, we had a consultation with an expert. Thanks to this and through videos, we quickly learned how it worked. A Facebook group also helped us, making it easier to find answers to questions we had. We still use it: our son turned 1 on January 22. We only use disposable nappies during vacations since we often don't have a washing machine available. For a weekend getaway, we do use cloth nappies.
Washing Routine Inquiry.
Could you walk us through your effective cloth diaper washing routine? Share tips for maintaining cleanliness and freshness.
We have a large Ikea bucket with a laundry mesh bag for the washing machine next to the changing table. Every two days, we wash the nappies with a prewash of 59 minutes at 60°C, adding 50 ml of detergent. Then, we add towels and muslin cloths. Afterward, we do a main wash on the cotton program at 60°C, spin at 1200 rpm, and do extra rinses with 100 ml of detergent.
Then, we separate the nappies, inserts, wipes, nappy covers, and wet bags from the rest. We hang them on a clothesline. The towels and others we put in the dryer.
At first, we used very little detergent.
Consistency in Routine.
Has your cloth diapering routine evolved over time, and if so, how does it compare to when you initially began?
No, we keep the same routine as always.
Challenges in Washing Tasks.
Did you encounter any challenges in adapting to specific aspects of washing cloth diapers? Share your experiences and how you overcame any difficulties.
At first, like everything, it's hard to get used to. It has to become a routine in your daily life. We usually start with washing the nappies in the morning. On days when we both work, we use a delayed program or start the washing machine around 4-5pm. Communicating with each other and dividing tasks work well for us.
Advice for New Cloth Diaper Users.
For those embarking on their cloth diapering journey, what valuable tips and advice would you offer to make the experience seamless and efficient?
For those starting with cloth diapers, what advice and recommendations would you give to ensure a good experience? Use online support groups. And don't be afraid to use disposable diapers occasionally.
Name: Hannelore
Mom of Seppe
Using cloth diapers since March 25, 2023
Location: Ghent, Belgium
Commencement of Cloth Diapering.
Can you share your cloth diapering journey and when you began using cloth diapers for your baby?
We started immediately once our baby's umbilical cord fell off and dried (following the midwife's recommendation at the time). It went well from the beginning. However, we had to buy more nappies than recommended because we were changing nappies 12 times a day, so we didn't have enough.
Washing Routine Inquiry.
Could you walk us through your effective cloth diaper washing routine? Share tips for maintaining cleanliness and freshness.
Every two days, we do a pre-wash and a main wash. The pre-wash is a 30-minute cycle with cold water, BioteX blue, and half a cap of detergent. The main wash is a 2.5-hour cycle (not eco-friendly! It's important to have enough water) with 1.5 caps of detergent. We use liquid detergent from Ecover, which works perfectly. Since we started complementary feeding, we've been using liners in the cloth nappies.
Consistency in Routine.
Has your cloth diapering routine evolved over time, and if so, how does it compare to when you initially began?
At first, I didn't know that the first wash should be separate to ensure proper rinsing and draining.
Challenges in Washing Tasks.
Did you encounter any challenges in adapting to specific aspects of washing cloth diapers? Share your experiences and how you overcame any difficulties.
No, this has always gone smoothly.
Advice for New Cloth Diaper Users.
For those embarking on their cloth diapering journey, what valuable tips and advice would you offer to make the experience seamless and efficient?
Just do it! My tips are:
Discuss it with the nursery about how they would like to manage it.
Use a normal open bucket with a laundry mesh bag inside.
Make sure you have enough nappies
Name: Marie
Mom of a one-year-old
Using cloth nappies since he was 3 months old
Location: Zeeuws Vlaanderen, Netherlands
Commencement of Cloth Diapering.
Can you share your cloth diapering journey and when you began using cloth diapers for your baby?
We started at 3 months old. We rented a pack and from there, we found and selected the nappies that worked best for us. Then we bought them.
Washing Routine Inquiry.
Could you walk us through your effective cloth diaper washing routine? Share tips for maintaining cleanliness and freshness.
I do a pre-wash every 1-2 days at night, depending on how many nappies I have. Currently, we don't use nappies at night, so my routine is a bit simpler, and I wash at 60°C for 1-1.5 hours with detergent. Sometimes, I add bleach according to CNN's instructions, mainly if there's a dirty nappy. Machine wash every 3-4 days at 60°C on a long program (cotton intensive). Dry on an indoor clothesline.
My best tips are to use enough high-quality detergent and wash at a high enough temperature for a good while. Disinfect with bleach to clean second-hand items (if you use them).
Consistency in Routine.
Has your cloth diapering routine evolved over time, and if so, how does it compare to when you initially began?
Yes, it's the same except if I use night nappies, then I adjust it to make it even more intense (longer wash). I did a tremendous amount of research on washing routines before starting, reading a lot only about how to wash cloth nappies, and I ended up with the recommendations from CCN that work great for me.
Challenges in Washing Tasks.
Did you encounter any challenges in adapting to specific aspects of washing cloth diapers? Share your experiences and how you overcame any difficulties.
No, thanks to the information I searched for and the advice and recommendations from the CCN website, I haven't had any complications. The second-hand cloth nappies I bought used to have stains and smells, and I've always managed to remove them (without needing to bleach in the sun), so I have a lot of confidence in my washing routine.
Advice for New Cloth Diaper Users.
For those embarking on their cloth diapering journey, what valuable tips and advice would you offer to make the experience seamless and efficient?
Join CCN and don't follow 'standard' advice: everyone I know or see who follows this advice for washing (cold wash, shorter wash, less or eco-friendly detergents) always end up having problems like ammonia odor or stains.
Name: Linda
Mom of Aedyn
Using cloth nappies since 23rd May 2022 till now
Location: Tilburg, The Netherlands
Commencement of Cloth Diapering.
Can you share your cloth diapering journey and when you began using cloth diapers for your baby?
I started from birth. I used disposable diapers in the hospital because I didn't want to bring a whole stack of cloth diapers to the hospital. Once we were home (2 nights later), I immediately switched to cloth diapers.
Washing Routine Inquiry.
Could you walk us through your effective cloth diaper washing routine? Share tips for maintaining cleanliness and freshness.
On day 2, the diapers go into the washing machine. I use a short cotton program (lasting 1.5 hours) with half the usual amount of cheap liquid detergent and some bleach. I set the temperature to 20 degrees Celsius. I add the bleach, diluted with water, after 10 minutes. This is the prewash. Once this wash is done, everything goes into an open laundry basket. On day 3, I do another prewash with the soiled diapers. After this is done, I add everything from the laundry basket and start the main wash. I use a cotton program at 60 degrees Celsius with a good detergent. I use Persil Megaperls Color. The main wash can be done earlier or even a day later, depending on whether you have enough diapers for a full load. With a newborn, you reach that point faster due to more diaper changes per day.
Consistency in Routine.
Has your cloth diapering routine evolved over time, and if so, how does it compare to when you initially began?
Yes. Initially, on day 2, we did a prewash. This was a rinse cycle with a little detergent. It lasted 20 minutes. Then, I immediately did the main wash. This was all done together. I changed this because the diapers eventually started smelling strongly of ammonia immediately after use. There was ammonia buildup in the diapers that wasn't being properly broken down during washing.
Challenges in Washing Tasks.
Did you encounter any challenges in adapting to specific aspects of washing cloth diapers? Share your experiences and how you overcame any difficulties.
Not really. We just started. And when we encountered a problem, I started looking on social media. Soon enough, I came across other washing routines. I just tried them.
Advice for New Cloth Diaper Users.
For those embarking on their cloth diapering journey, what valuable tips and advice would you offer to make the experience seamless and efficient?
Just start and don't overthink it. With time, you'll learn what it all entails and what works and feels good for you. You could start with a rental package during the newborn period. That way, you'll cover that smallest period right away and can test out what works for you. We did buy a newborn package, mostly second-hand. Especially those newborn diapers haven't suffered at all. They're only used for about 3 months! I found this really nice because one-size diapers were really big for those little bottoms.
These interviews with mums who choose cloth nappies provide valuable insight into their successful integration into daily life. From initial advice to setting up a practical cloth nappy washing routine, it's clear that with the right information and a flexible mindset, anyone can join the cloth nappy revolution.
So, if you're considering making the switch, don't hesitate to take the first step! With the right support and the determination to find what works best for you and your family, you'll discover that adopting cloth nappies is easier than it seems. Dare to give it a try and join the community of parents committed to sustainability and their children's well-being!
Cheers,
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