We are hoping to use reusable nappies for our baby as we believe that this will work out cheaper in the long run, especially with this being our first so we can potentially reuse the nappies for other babies. However, we have no tumble drier and limited outdoor drying space (though it rains a lot in the North West so outdoor drying is limited anyway). We figure we'll get by with regular washing using a good machine with an excellent rinse cycle plus an electric airer for use in winter months:
www.lakeland.co.uk/lakeland-dry-soon-heated-airer/F/keyword/airer/product/21736
My mother in law is EXTREMLEY pro ?tumble driers and seeks to point out at every opportunity how my life and her precious sons (only child) would be easier with one. I?ve very ant?them for cost and environment and also because we don?t have space for one in our teenie kitchen. MIL thinks ?it would be cruel to put a baby in terry?s nappies without a tumble drier as they wouldn?t be fluffed up so would damage the skin?. She?s always had a tumble drier but never used terry?s even when OH was a baby 30 years ago. On the other hand, my mum has never had a tumble drier and me and my brothers were all in terry?s without bottom problems? And yet I am now worrying that it?d be cruel to use reusable nappies without a tumble drier!
Is it cruel to do this? I know there are many other options to terry?s nowadays, though I was considering these as they are so cheap and quick drying. Can anyone give me any wisdom or advice?
Thanks!
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Reusable nappies and no tumble drier
CalaLilly · 17/01/2011 13:36
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I have no tumble drier. Last winter I had two in washable nappies
Now DD is potty trained so just the one. Racks on radiators and a couple of airers, no problem. You may need a few extra nappies depending on the drying time - microfibre dries super quick, cotton/bamboo takes a lot longer.
They are much cheaper than disposables, and give lovely padding when they are learning to walk and fall over.
I have a combined washer drier but couldn't tell you the last time we use the drier! We have a 26mo in reusables and will be having a second baby in them from March.
It is fine - we line dry if possible, and put on radiators if not. (You aren't meant to use radiators, and the hemp and bamboo nappies come out a bit scratchy but you a) rough 'em up a bit with your hands to soften them and b) use a fleece liner which is lovely and soft.
)
The only tougher days are when it is raining but not cold enough to put the heating on - but if you have an electric airer this would be no problem. Worst case, you might need to buy a few more nappies to allow for them to take longer to dry. It will still be cheaper by far than disposables.
Hi All, i was following this thread with interest because, as a first time mom-to-be, i hadnt' really considered re-usable nappies as an option and have a really dumb question to ask, doesn't all the poo that collects in the nappy clog up the washing machine? am assuming you try and clear as much out as you can but may not always be possible!
Ugh! am i being really dumb?? 
We got a tumble-dryer before DD was born, as we'd bought bamboo cloth nappies. We've never used it
We use the hotpress. In summer, as long as the tank heats up once a day (to heat water), the nappies take a day to dry. In winter, with the heat on more often, maybe less.
We bought 20 nappies and that's mostly enough. Sometimes (when we've been lazy and haven't done a wash) we resort to reusables, but not very often.
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