Brand New Mum needs advice on Flats

[Rainbowbrite]

I use flats the majority of the time. If your looking for folds the nappy lady (http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/Advice/Instructions.asp?InstructionID=2&index=0)is great! I use the jo fold on MJ.

Do you pre rinse before the main wash?
Yep, chuck them all in the machine & do a rinse only cycle with cold water.

Do you wash in hot warm cold?
I was in warm if its cool or i'm going to use the dryer. Otherwise cold wash with 1/4 the recommended detergent & line dry in the sun :D

Do you use a disinfectant in the wash?
Nope, the sun kills the germs & bleaches the marks.

Do you have to put them straight into the wash to prevent stains?
Nope. Exmple, MJ has been unwell & did a very sloppy poo the other day. We rinsed the nappy as much as possible to remove chunks (sorry for the visual). Then into the bin (its bigger than a bucket & has a lid). Washed it 2 days later & not a mark to be seen :D

Do you use a softener to keep them in fluffy?
Nope, though i must admit when my mum washes them & uses fluffy they are so soft. I use Biozet with fabric softners built in :yes:

Hope that helps, feel free to ask for any info, we're happy to help.

[mum2elouise]

Do you pre rinse before the main wash?
I don't. I just pop them all into the machine on the 'soak' setting which is a 2 hour wash.

Do you wash in hot warm cold?
I always wash in cold then pop on the line to dry in the sun. You need to dry in the sun if you wash cold as this kills bacteria, etc and also removes any stains.

Do you use a disinfectant in the wash?
Nope, i use half the recommended scoop of my normal washing powder. Use half as the detergent builds up in the nappies and ends up decreasing their absorbancy.

Do you have to put them straight into the wash to prevent stains?
I wash every second night. Pop them in for the soak cycle and then hang them out first thing in the morning so that they get a full day of the sun:D

Do you use a softener to keep them in fluffy?
No softener for me. As with the detergent, it builds up in the nappy and affects absorbancy. A trick to getting them soft is to pop them in the dryer for 5-10 min after a day in the sun.

HTH:D

[FourAngelKisses]

I throw all of mine inthe laundry tub (no water or anything), then after 2-3 days, I throw them in the machine with hot water and half a scoop of laundry powder and let them soak for a day or 2.

Do you pre rinse before the main wash? No, just soak them.

Do you wash in hot warm cold?I wash in hot to give my machine a good clean out...hot water removes all of the scum buildup.

Do you use a disinfectant in the wash?Nope, just water.

Do you have to put them straight into the wash to prevent stains?No, but I use nappy liners to help prevent stains and make for easy cleaning.

Do you use a softener to keep them in fluffy?I use vinegar instead of fabric softener, but the only way I could get them fluffy and not stiff like cardboard is to throw them in the dryer with half a dryer sheet.

[cwsmum]

I’m concerned about them getting stained and have no idea how I am going to keep them all white
Everyone has already answered all your questions, I would just be repeating what has already been said...but I can add this...If you notice stains/marks on your flats soak them in some napisan and warm water. I usually just do this in the washing machine, soak for 2 or 3hrs, or longer if you like, then drain the water out and do a full wash cycle without adding and washing powder/liquid. Then dry them on the line in the sun :thumbsup: Napisan kinda disinfects then nappies as well as cleaning them so you don't need to wash them in anything else is they have been soaked.

[FourAngelKisses]

Everyone has already answered all your questions, I would just be repeating what has already been said...but I can add this...If you notice stains/marks on your flats soak them in some napisan and warm water. I usually just do this in the washing machine, soak for 2 or 3hrs, or longer if you like, then drain the water out and do a full wash cycle without adding and washing powder/liquid. Then dry them on the line in the sun :thumbsup: Napisan kinda disinfects then nappies as well as cleaning them so you don't need to wash them in anything else is they have been soaked.


Just thought I'd mention, Napisan is corrosive to metal and shortens the lifespan of your washing machine. You're better off doing it in a bucket or the laundry tub and rinsing them out before washing.

[cwsmum]

Just thought I'd mention, Napisan is corrosive to metal and shortens the lifespan of your washing machine. You're better off doing it in a bucket or the laundry tub and rinsing them out before washing.
Really? I didn't know that...tho I do remember reading on the napisan container once that you aren't ment to soak things with metal parts in it. It also says on the pack that you don't need to rinse them before washing, maybe it's ok to tip the whole lot into the machine if you are going to wash it all straight away.
I'll have to remember what you said tho, I really don't wanna have to replace my washing machine for a very long time.

[FourAngelKisses]

I didn't know either, I was soaking everythin in napisan in the machine. Then I had to get a new machine (I know why now, lol) and the instruction book said not to use it and to rinse everything that has been soaked, before washing things.

[LucyE]

Do you pre rinse before the main wash?
Yes. I'm lucky with a fancy frontloader which allows me to select a prewash option so I can just set it and walk away.

Do you wash in hot warm cold?
I was in warm (40C) only because that's the most efficient and recommended temp for my machine. At Mum's, she only uses cold water and the nappies still come out sparkly clean.

Do you use a disinfectant in the wash?
No. There's no need really if you are using a decent detergent. Those Dettol and Canestan type rinses are mostly a sales gimmick. They could be useful if you had an issue of thrush infection etc but even then, just washing in hot water with detergent will be sufficient to kill any nasties.

Do you have to put them straight into the wash to prevent stains?
No but I do have a Little Squirt to rinse off solids before dry pailing. Also, using a fleece liner helps to keep nappies stain free as well as giving bub a stay dry feel.

Do you use a softener to keep them in fluffy?
Never ever! Fabric softeners will coat the fibres of the nappies and cause them to lose absorbancy. If it really matters you can try:
- popping them in the dryer for 10 mins before hanging out to 'fluff' them up
- give them a really good shake and flick before hanging them up (similar in effect to the dyer just manual if you don't have a dryer LOL)
- try a bit of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Don't use this if you have anything with PUL in the load though and it doesn't work in all water types (eg. when we were on rain water which is nice and soft, it worked really well but now with very hard water the vinegar reacts with the minerals in the water and causes a horrible acrid smell).
- use a large fleece liner so that bub's skin is only touching soft fleece

Re Napisan - not only will it damage the machine but it's also just extra harsh chemicals that aren't needed. You are more likely to get skin irritations from Napisan that isn't rinsed out properly and it will deteriorate your nappy fabric faster.

For a really comprehensive cloth nappy site, check out www.ozclothnappies.org for heaps of info.