Cheapest way to do washable nappies, also reusable wipes

[moozoboozo]

We are thinking of moving over to washable nappies, as we have to pull our rein in a bit, financially spaeking, and I also sat and thought about how many we thorow away each week, and it's frightening.

I can't really afford to pay a lot in one go, so waht is the cheapest way? Is it terries? Are they a real fag or are they easy?

Also, we were wondering if it's possible to get reusable wipes????

you can get reusable wipes.... all you go and buy a tesco value bath sheet for £3 and cut that into wipe size pieces!

Terries are by the far the cheepest and lots of people get on fine with them

may be worth considering motherease one size as well (as they will last till baby ispotty trained)

I wouldent use either at night... would suggest tots bots unbleached... for night time... size 2 can be used as a birth to potty nappy with a nappy nipper, so may be worth getting a couple for nightime

you can make stay dry reusable liners as well by buying a cheep fleeece throw and cutting it to liner size pieces (rather than buying fleece liners which are essentially fleece cut to size for you!)

Also you CAN wash nappies at 40C as well (with napisan to kill the germs) which will reduce your energy consumption.

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I use terries and Motherease One size at night both boosted with half another terries to absorb the extra weeee. Don't think my ds is a "heavy wetter" though. Get half decent terries though, they're more absorbent and don't warp into a diamond shape. I got the John Lewis ones that are good, Boots were awful, haven't tried any others. Use with nappi nippas.

Don't skimp on the wraps though, used the Motherease Airflow (poppered) ones, they're the best all round, I think.

Yes to reusable wipes and liners as below.

I used traditional Terry squares as i couldn't afford wraps and ripped up towels for wipes. I bought Ikea face cloths as they were less messy ie bits coming of and stray threads. Tesco value facecloths are ultra cheap. I got second hand terries at bootsale to suppliment the pack MIL got me from mothercare or boots.

I use terry squares, folded into a pad and held in place with poppered wraps. V. v. cheap, and at least as good any of the fancier options I've tried. I like them because they dry quickly and can be boil washed if they get a bit grey or stained. You can also use muslins in a pad fold, but probably two at a time for an older baby.

For wipes I use a motley collection of old flannels supplemented by squares cut from any suitable material (worn-out brushed cotton sheets, old towels, seriously knackered baby vests etc.) If you want to prevent fraying you can hem them on the sewing machine with zigzag stitch. Chuck the in the bucket with the terries, wash every other day on 60 degrees and away you go.

I use terries and plastic pants ( which you can et here in Aus) along with nature babies or kushies wraps. Find them a breeze. Use nappy nippas to sevure them. Wash and dry easily. USe napisan to wash them with. No probs. Dry pail with a cloth and a few drops of lavendar oil in the pail.

Bought heavy duty j cloths and cut them into wipe size - I think I bought about three packs and I got over 100 wipes.

Use a pamper wipes box or plastic container - I do a mix for the wipes

2cups boiling water, 1tbsp olive oil, 2tbsp baby wash whatever.

Have also done a camomile tea and a couple of drops of lavendar oil

or just warm water on wipes.

Bung them in the wash with the nappies and there you are.

Think I will give reusable wipes a try. Had a sore hand this week and realised how much baby wipes can sting, and they were fragrance free ones. Quite shocked me - poor little dd3 when she has a sore bottom.

If nappy rash is a problem it helps to adjust the pH of the nappy and wipes by putting a slosh of white vinegar in the final rinse. Counteracts the alkalinity of the wee, or something. Does work, anyway.

Haven't tried wetting wipes with camomile tea as not organised enough, but does sound like a good idea. With washables, especially cheapo options it really helps to do all nappy changing in the bathroom. That way you can tip poo straight down the loo, rinse nappy in flush water if really mucky, and have running water to dampen wipes. Cloth wipes are much, much better than commercial babywipes, as the texture actually removes poo, whereas i find the packet wipes just glide over it. 3 cloth wipes is the most I've ever needed for a Vesuvius situation, whereas with packet wipes you can be there all day.

I find cutting your own fleece wipes the best, they also dry really quickly, much quicker than flannel so you need less, I did just use water, but dd had a bit of a sore bum so I now use a bit of baby lotion on the wipes, still cheaper than shop ones. I also make my own fleece liners. Half a meter of fleece for about £2-3 was enough for all the wipes and liners, i wash them every other day. I was lucky to buy hardly used motherease nappies and wraps from a friend and although these cost more than terries, they do have a high second hand value too and I'll be able to get my money back when she's out of nappies. I've also just bought some eco balls, although they cost £35 they will last for ~1000 washes and save you loads of money and don't leave detergent on your clothes, can wash at 40 on short rinse washes, I use a bit of ecover laundry bleach on heavily stained clothes. Hope this helps you.

If baby is small you can use muslins too. (i used with ME popper wrap - they are great).Muslins are cheap and seem to work on small bots.

I use motherease one size and they are excellent at catching the almighty derrier explosions - which saves on having to wash baby's clothes a lot.

I use washable wipes which i got from the nappylady. They are just cut up terries - so you can easily make your own. They are great. I just use them with water. Tip: I have a thermos flask next to the changing mat for night time changes, which keeps the water warm and stops me having to go to the bathroom. (bathroom too small for changing). Cheaper option than nasty wipes and healthier for the bot-bot.

Another thread mentioned using Tesco's micro fibre cloths (3 of 99p) for stuffable nappies like fuzzibunz - which i thought was quite a nifty idea as it's all the same material.

Good luck with it. Once you start you realise it's far more satisfying than using pokey disposables. You have to stop yourself eyeing up table clothes and the like thinking...hmmm that could work...