Cloth Nappy Washing Advice

[PRoseLegend]

Hi everyone,
I'm using cloth nappies part time for my little one - we do cloth in the day at home and disposables at night and when out.
I'm having trouble with washing the nappies, as they are coming out stiff and rough and have lost all their softness, however they are definitely absorbent and clean (no smell).

I'm using Pre-folds with covers and pocket nappies.
I live in a hard water area, I am washing them on a 2.5 hour cycle at 40 degrees, with an extra rinse at the start and end of the wash.
We don't have a dryer, so I line dry inside under a ceiling fan.
I've tried vinegar in the final rinse but it just makes them smell rather than helping with the softness.
Any ideas on how I can get the nappies soft again?

They probably won’t really get soft again unless you lightly tumble dry ( it really recommended). They are much like towels, once you wash them, especially in a hard water area. They are always a bit crunchy feeling. But that’s fine. They work the same.

I would recommend doing the occasional 60c wash. And then also wash your machine on a 60 cycle with bicarb and some white vinegar every so often. It won’t help with crunchiness but will keep them from smelling.

I should say *not really recommended (tumble drying).