Cloth Nappy Guide – a few things to get you started using cloth nappies. If you have questions at any stage of your cloth journey - contact us!

A quote that I have always loved is “Don’t make change too difficult, just begin”. You can start using cloth at any time, whether you have a newborn or have been using disposables and want to make a change – any use of cloth over disposables is a step in the right direction for the environment and your pocket!

Key Words –

  • Pocket Nappy – Waterproof cover with an interior pocket
  • Insert – Absorbent pad that slips into a pocket nappy
  • Liner – A thin disposable or washable layer that can be used between the nappy cover and the skin so that the poo can be more easily gotten rid of at nappy change time
  • Domes / Snaps - The domes or snaps are on the front of the nappy and are what fastens the nappy together.
  • Stuffing – Getting your nappy ready to use buy placing an insert inside the pocket nappy cover 

Getting Started Firstly, you’ll need to get yourself set up with some cloth nappies and inserts. We sell ‘pocket nappies’ which are a water resistant cover that has a pocket on the inside for an insert to slip into. We also sell inserts, each nappy comes with a 5 layer cotton / bamboo insert and you can buy extra microfibre, bamboo or cotton / bamboo inserts to provide extra absorption.

Getting the nappies prepped Once you have your cloth nappies it is a good idea to soak the inserts overnight to kick-start their absorption, then wash and dry them along with the nappy covers. You can do this in a regular cold/warm wash then dry them either on the clothesline or warm clothes dryer – not too hot for the covers.

Once everything is washed and dried you’re almost ready to go! To make things easier at change time we suggest ‘stuffing’ all your pocket nappies ahead of time. Do this by taking the nappy cover and placing an insert inside, then stash it somewhere ready to grab when changing your babe. A good idea is to use a drawer or basket, with wipes etc. close to hand also.

Time to wear! Make sure you have the right fit by adjusting the nappy using the domes on the front. The domes can reduce the amount of fabric down between the legs and how tight the nappy is around the waist and legs. A good place for the nappy to sit at the top is just beneath the belly button and not too tight so that if your little one is sitting they are still comfortable. 

Time to change! No problem! If the nappy is just wet, separate the nappy cover and the insert then place both into a dry bucket or basket. If the bucket/basket has a lid make sure it has holes in it - air flow is key! If there is poo in the nappy, flush this down the toilet, rinse the area to clear any remaining poo, separate the insert from the cover and place both of them into the dry bucket/basket. If you have used a liner in your nappy then it makes things even easier if there is poo in the nappy – the liner is most likely flushable or washable and it means there will be less or no residue on the nappy cover. 

Time to Wash! We suggest not waiting longer than 2 or 3 days between washes, this will ensure smell is kept to a minimum and you won’t need a crazy amount of nappies in your stash if you are washing more regularly. Put the covers and inserts into the machine and do a 'pre-wash' wash on a short warm cycle (this removes any remaining residue or nasties before doing a nice clean full wash). You don’t need extra laundry powder or liquid, but we suggest using something sensitive. Once pre-washed you can put them through a full wash, preferably warm, then dry them on the clothesline, in the sun is a good idea to remove any extra possible stains (but keep in mind the sun may fade the colours on your covers slightly), or you can put them into a warm clothes dryer – not too hot for the covers.

Do what works for you! You can follow this set of basic instructions if you are using cloth full time or only a few times a week. A great way of starting is using cloth nappies on the days you are at home and using disposables for days that you are out and about, this will mean at the end of a day or two you may have a decent amount to do a wash, and you have given it a good go by sticking to it for an entire day. Most people will start by using cloth during the day, and disposables overnight as it is a little tougher to get the balance of absorption right and avoid wet bedding overnight etc.

Go on, stock up on some cloth nappies! The amount of nappies you will need is going to depend on how often you are going to use cloth, how often your babe needs changing and how often you are going to wash the nappies. You can shop our nappies HERE