Cotton Nappies - What cleaning products do you use?

[vbab78]

Hiya. I am considering using cotton nappies because of all the good reviews I have read from people on mumsnet.

Could you please tell me what cleaning products you recommend and how you wash yours?

Thanks.

hello, I've only been using cloth for a couple of weeks (fuzzi bunz) but had lots of probs with nappy rash with persil non-bio and even Ecover. Another MNetter suggested Surcare, which I'm now using and things seem to be much better at the moment. Good luck

Just by normal non-bio in the washing machine on half load at 60 degress.

Well done vbab78 - as long as you don't have a rampant poo-er I'm sure you won't regret it.

Fairy non-bio by preference (half the recommended amount for clean clothes in soft water). Whatever white malt vinegar I can lay my hands on.

Rinse after use (poo off of liner, and then a good rinse of nappy and liner under running water to stop the wee from 'setting' in the fibres). Wash every third day, or when bucket is full. Wash at 60 degrees on full wash (not quick wash), with extra rinse to ensure all powder is out of them.

I then tumble for 30 mins (Tots) and air dry (pref on washing line, but inside if raining).

We have a 'rampant poo-er' (four today so far!), but even so, I find them fine. Just need good liners!

HTH

I use fairy non bio to wash our onelife nappies which are brilliant. I just put them in the bucket ( I dont soak them). Then stick them ine the machine on 60 degrees. I hadnt even thought about washing powder causing nappie rash and thinking about I have been using powder tablets rather than liquidtabs as DH bought the wrong sort and ds has had nappy rash which he doesnt normally have!

Laura 032004 - what liners, please help! We have a soft poo specialist and I could really do with a liner that catches it all. We use the ones you get in Waitrose (sorry don't remember brand name) in a big roll and they seem to me to be quite good - thick but soft-enough paper - but it gets a bit scrumpled up and anything from a little smudge to an vast soupy lake leaks onto the cotton and occasionally the wrapper. OK OK so he's just had his second birthday and I should be thinking about toilet training, but in the meantime any tips recommended. Thanks!

Surcare for me

Lio - I've not been using cloth for long but don't like the disposable liners. I use fleece liners which are lovely and soft, and keep dd's bottom dry.

Oh, and I wash in Persil non-bio (liquid tabs) and have had no probs with nappy rash.

Hi bonym, we also have those nice liners, but I promise you the stickiness and soupiness of the poo prohibits their use. I've always put it down to the fact that he is still getting teeth but may make a trip to the doc's soon to check not too abnormal.

Lio, can I recommend Popli liners. They are made by Popolini and are BIG, I've got a squiggy pooer (sorry son) and hate having to scrape poo off the edges so found these really good. They are wide and long (completely cover a large sandy nappy), I let them come out over the edge of the nappy then tuck them in to the wrap so no leaks and they work a treat.

They're also v strong and wash once or twice if wee'd on.

You can get them from www.nappymania.co.uk or wwwthenappylady.co.uk in boxes of 100

HTH, Mia

DO IT - I'm a real nappy convert - was very against them with dd. But friend lent me some for ds and would never go back. Am addicted to ebay to look at nappies for sale now though! (also thenappylady.co.uk has good for sale adverts!)

I worried about washing them but is no more hassle than normal washing of mucky clothes. I use a dry bucket (well cheap dust bin with swing lid from Tesco) with couple of drops of lavender oil to hide smells. Wash about every third day at 50 on cotton wash, using fairy (one tablet) and white vinegar. Have been known to use vanish on really nasty nappies but the best way to get stains out is to hang on line (also found to be good for carrot puree stains).

Good luck - but you won't need it!

Lio - I use old pieces of jersey cotton sheet. I cut them so that they are the length of the nappy gusset, and four times as wide. I then fold them into thirds, so they overhang the gusset slightly. This means that even if the Tots are a bit rough (line dried), they don't irritate ds's skin. No poo ever gets on the nappy at the sides, or through the liner onto the nappy (like you would get the brown stain with a disposable liner). They are very easy to rinse as no pile for poo to attach to.

DS has food intolerances, so poos up to 8 times a day, yet with these liners it isn't a problem. Also, (sorry if TMI) because he poos so often, he sometimes will poo in an otherwise dry nappy. Then if I was out I would just change the liner (e.g. today he pooed 5 minutes after I had changed a dirty nappy!) and keep the same nappy on as it was essentially dry and clean.

I buy the sheets second hand (the older the better as nice and soft) at charity shops or car boots, so about £1 makes 20. Nearly as cheap as disposables if you wanted to throw them after use!!

I'm just about to cut up a few more (used to hem them, but don't bother now). I could pop you a couple in the post so you see what I mean if you like!

They are also better for ds's bum, which gets nappy rash with fleece liners due to the heat I think.

HTH

Message withdrawn

Good idea about the oil in the wash drawer, mine always smell faintly on vinegar!

(quick hijack sorry vbab) - do u girls use tea tree oil in ur wet bins? - why do u use the vinegar/lavender - do they just conteract on the smell?

is a ry bin/wet bin best to use?

(sorry vbab)

I don't use tea tree oil as I have two nappy bins. One Mothercare one with a lid for dirty nappies, and an open one for nappies that have been rinsed. I do leave the toilet window open though.

I don't soak the nappies as I rinse them so no need. Soaking shortens the life of elasticated nappies.

The vinegar acts as a rinse for the washing powder (for some chemically reason I don't understand!). The oil disguises the smell of the vinegar & tea tree oil is antibacterial. I don't use the oil as it irritates ds's skin, and I find once they've been on the line there is no remaining smell.

munz - Redrap definitely sold by the way. Sorry.

ooh didn't know thta about the soaking - ok thank you. don't worry about the wrap.

I thought adding the vinegar helped to soften the nappies in hard water areas - stops the build up of scale (like in your kettle).

I use motherease one size nappies, I wash them using persil non-bio or asdas on make non-bio.
I store the dirty ones in a bucket (but dont soak them, just wash them each night).
I bought some anti-bac powder from mothercare which you can add to your washing powder.
Good luck!

Laura 032004, thank you! What a kind offer and yes please, do send me a couple - I'll CAT you. Sounds like the perfect solution.

Lio - your CAT hasn't come through yet. I've sent you one too.

If anybody else would like one then let me know.