which washing powder to use? Softener?

[baxter9]

Hi all. Can anyone tell me iof I should stop using supermarket washing powder( like surf or 'cold wash' on nappies. I'm just using ordinary powder rather than Lux pure soap and it seems fine in that the sundried nappies don't aggravate my son's skin.

The nappies are getting stiff though. Anyone know how make nappies softer?

THANKS

[mama anne]

hey
if the nappies aren't irritating his skin then i'd say keep doing what you're doing - i just use omo for front loaders personally and i've never had any dramas.

in terms of softening the nappies, DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER!!! this will coat the nappies and they will repel liquid instead of soaking it up a few ways of softening nappies include:
1. reducing the spin speed on your washing machine if you can .... they'll take longer to dry but be less crunchy
2. use canesten laundry rinse - it'll make them all yummy and soft
3. fluff them out when you put them on and take them off the line - moves the fibres around instead of them all drying together IYKWIM

some people also use a dryer to make their nappies softer ......... but there are positives and negatives to using a dryer so its your call if you want to do that.

hope that helps!

[AVR]

I use "Earth" for both...

1 - It does not test on animals.
2 - It works - DH is a builder and sometimes his shirts are
3 - the softner is better (I think) than huggies. etc
4 - Its actually cheaper than most other brands.

[pookiesossige]

Hi there, I can't suggest anything, becuase what you are doing seems to be the recommended thing for nappies... You're right to use the powder though- using clear or natural soap products leave behind an oily film and hinder absorbtion, just like fabric softener.
Sorry! Not much help...

[gremily]

I use AWARE or PLANET ARK (both made by same ppl, one has essential oil)

All natural ingredients
No petrochemicals
No phosphates
No artificial brighteners or fragrances
100% biodegradable

It's recommended for ppl with skin problems, aswell. The washing water can be diverted to be used on the garden (I used to do this until we moved and we no longer have a garden).

It's available in supermarkets, I think it's about $6.99. It sounds expensive compared to other powders, but the thing is the most you use is 2 tablespoons, so it lasts for ages

[gremily]

Oh yeah, and I forgot to add

NO NO NO softener

Softener is a plastic based product, and using on your nappies (and your clothes for that matter) leaves a coating. It makes your nappies less absorbant, and bubs will have chemicals constantly against his bum

[~rambox~]

Hi all. Can anyone tell me iof I should stop using supermarket washing powder( like surf or 'cold wash' on nappies. I'm just using ordinary powder rather than Lux pure soap and it seems fine in that the sundried nappies don't aggravate my son's skin.

The nappies are getting stiff though. Anyone know how make nappies softer?

THANKS

I soaked my nappies in Nappy San then washed them with Duo and Fabric Softner.

And instead of hanging them on the line you can also put them in the dryer adding half cap full of fabric softner Works great.

[gremily]

I soaked my nappies in Nappy San then washed them with Duo and Fabric Softner.

And instead of hanging them on the line you can also put them in the dryer adding half cap full of fabric softner Works great.

Soaking in napisan is no longer necessary and is not recommended for fitted cloth nappies.
Hanging them on the line is a must as the sun disinfects them and gets rid of smells.
If you tumble dry there's no need for a fabric softener:
a) like I said before, it reduces absorbancy
b) tumble drying makes them soft anyway

If you like the softness, line dry until the nappies are almost dry, then chuck them in the dryer to finish them off.

[~rambox~]

Soaking in napisan is no longer necessary and is not recommended for fitted cloth nappies.
Hanging them on the line is a must as the sun disinfects them and gets rid of smells.
If you tumble dry there's no need for a fabric softener:
a) like I said before, it reduces absorbancy
b) tumble drying makes them soft anyway

If you like the softness, line dry until the nappies are almost dry, then chuck them in the dryer to finish them off.

No offence but I was offering my opinion as I have FOUR kids and have done this all along. When you find something good you tend to stick with it.

[gremily]

No offence but I was offering my opinion as I have FOUR kids and have done this all along. When you find something good you tend to stick with it.

I don't think it really matters how many children you have, whether it be 1 or 10, research is constantly being updated. What might have been common practice a few yrs ago often gets quashed.
Like yourself, I used napisan with my first, as this is what we were told to do, to chemically rid the nappies of germs.
It wasn't until I was preg with DD2 that I came across the 'new and improved' methods of washing cloth nappies.
Drypailing, cold washing and drying in the sun uses less water, energy and money than soaking, hot washing and tumble drying.
It's true that when you find something you like you tend to stick with it, but if we never opened our minds to new things we'd be stuck back in the dark ages
I'm not trying to bring you down, like you this is my opinion, and we have every right to choose what we want to believe.