Washing & Care Guidelines

For detailed washing instructions, help setting up your individualised wash routine, or trouble-shooting any wash issues, it is recommended that you refer to Cloth Nappy Help (clothnappyhelp.com.au)
Please wash nappy & inserts once before use. If you see any blue or purple pen marks, don’t worry – this is washable marker and will come off in the wash.
Inserts will reach maximum absorbency after around 6-8 washes, but can be used before that.
Store used nappies in a dry pail (airflow is important, so an airy basket is perfect!). It is not recommended to soak them. Remove inserts from the shells and add to the pail separately.
If nappies are soiled, rinse/scrape solids into the toilet before dry-pailing. There are various methods used for this, including a hose sprayer attachment, a "nappy spatula”, or the dunk & swish method. Please note that it is not necessary to remove breastfeeding solids, as they are water-soluble.
Every 1 – 2 days, pre-wash used nappies on a short washing cycle (40-60 minutes) at 40 degrees, with half a scoop of detergent. For list of recommended detergents, consult the Cloth Nappy Help website or Facebook group (most mainstream detergents are fine – powder is preferable for cloth nappies). For best results, place the powder inside the drum of your machine before adding the nappies – this helps to dissolve and distribute the detergent evenly. You can also add half a scoop of stain treatment (such as Vanish) to your drum if you wish.
Place pre-washed nappies into a separate dry pail. There is no need to dry them.
Every 2-4 days place your pre-washed nappies into a main wash cycle. This will be a longer cycle (2-3 hrs), at 40-60 degrees, with 1 to 1 ½ scoops of detergent. Ensure your drum is at least ¾ full to get maximum agitation of your wash load. You can bulk the load with baby clothes, cloth wipes, wash cloths, and other small items if required.
Ideally hang-dry your nappy shells in the shade (avoid direct sunlight) for maximum lifespan. Inserts can be placed in the dryer, or can be hang-dried in the sun. Please ensure inserts are completely dry before stuffing nappies again.
Inserts may get a little "crunchy” – this is normal for natural fibres. You can either fluff them up for a few minutes in the dryer, or you can gently soften them with your hands by stretching and rolling them. Do not use fabric softener.

Warnings:

Please do NOT use fabric softener in your nappy wash. Softener will coat the fibres of your nappies and cause them to lose absorption.
Avoid exposing your nappy shells to extreme heat whilst washing and/or drying - no hotter than 60 degree washes, cool or warm dryer only, and no drying in direct sunlight. High heat will damage the waterproof PUL layer.
Some nappy rash creams or pastes (especially those containing zinc) may stain your nappies. Those containing petroleum will coat the fibres of your nappies and may cause absorption issues. All creams are able to be washed out with a good wash routine, but please consult Cloth Nappy Help website for recommended creams/pastes. It is also a great idea to use a reusable liner to protect your nappy from stains, especially if using a cream or paste that contains zinc.
KAM snaps are reinforced, but please still take care when unsnapping your nappy to avoid tearing the fabric.