hard/rough nappy question

[KateeTheBump]

A question for the wise MNer cloth nappy users out there...

I have been given some motherease nappies and bought some second hand bamboozles. I've washed them a couple of times on a 40 degree wash and line dried - is there any way of getting them soft? I live in a hard water area, so don't know if that's the problem but they seem quite hard and rough, and even with a fleece liner would be worried about putting them on a new born.

Any tips gratefully received!

You could try white vinegar in the final rinse.
Or, if you have one, bung them in the tumble dryer for 10 mins to fluff them up when they're almost dry.

Put them out in the rain, the rain water isn't hard like your tap water and it really helps.

Soda crystals in the rinse can help soften them up, a quick tumble works wonders.

Thanks! Do have a tumble dryer, and baby due in October, so probably won't be line drying then... frozen nappies anyone? Will see if a tumble makes a difference. If I use vinegar... how much?

Also would something like calgon/water softener help? I shall investigate...

A capful or two of white vinegar (not brown malt) would be enough, in the section that you would normally put softner in.

Rain water is the dogs whatsits when it comes to softening nappies and it gets the stains out too if left out. Dont have to hang them on the line just leave a bucket out to collect water and dunk them in.

Vinegar helps too