Help - how can I make my One Life nappies feel softer?

[bellabelly]

I've been using a mix of One Life cloth nappies (am tld they are a bit like Motherease?) and disposables ever since the twins were born mnths ago. Recently bought a few extra One Life and was SHOCKED at how soft the new ones feel compared to the ones taht I've been using for months. I have been washing them at 60 degrees, without fabric conditioner as I heard this makes them less absorbant and, since the dryer part of our washer-dryer is kaput, am currently drying the nappies on radiators.

Any advice PLEASE on how to soften them up again? Is it really a terrible idea to use fabric softener? I just hate putting something that feels so rough and hard on my babies - they do soften up as they get wet of course but I want them to feel like a NICE alternative to disposables, the roughness is putting me off using them any more and I really would like to stick with using mainly cloth for many reasons.

Thanks in advance - sorry this is so longwinded!

Sorry should say since the twins wer born 5 months ago

Hi,
Putting white vinegar in the conditioner drawer helps a lot as does shaking them when you take them from the washer. I always find drying on the radiators makes mine stiff. Drying on a rack is slower but they will be softer. I put my rack next to a radiator anyway so that speeds it up a bit. Another shake when they are almost dry & then rubbing together when dry will make them nice & soft.
HTH

Have same nappies and I'm afraid the only way to really fluff them up is to pop them into the tumble dryer (an eco no-no!) - perhaps just from when they are damp, on low and for 25 minutes.

Drying on radiators or outside makes all resusables go hard but good tips hippo - will try also.

Thanks both - will try the white vinegar idea and get myself a rack or better still a dryer that actually works...

If you need to buy any more why not try a bamboo Motherease Nappy?

Motherease One size (MEOS) nappies and Onelife are almost completely identical (motherease are bit cheaper though). The bamboo fabric takes a bit longer to dry but stays nice and soft - they are more absorbant too.

MEOS Bamboo

...or ones with a fleece inner like Bimbles or Bumbles so the crunchy cotton isn't next to the skin

we should start a bumbles fan club