Honestly, it's just washing! Here's the simple routine we recommend to keep your Cloth Bums nappies fresh and lasting for years.
Step 1. Dry pail
After each change, pull the inserts out of the nappy and pop everything into a dry pail (a well-ventilated basket or laundry hamper is perfect) until your pre-wash.
Exclusively breastfed or formula-fed babies: poo is water soluble, so no extra treatment is needed. Once bub has started solids, empty poo into the toilet and give it a rinse before it goes in the dry pail. Liners make this easier but aren't essential.
Step 2. Pre-wash (every 1-2 days)
Run a short cycle (30-60 minutes) at 40-60°C with detergent. This removes the initial wee and poo.
Step 3. Main wash (every 2-4 days)
Wash the last few days' pre-washed nappies together on a long cycle (at least 2 hours) at 40-60°C with detergent, so they get a really deep clean. Follow your machine and detergent recommendations for dose.
Step 4. Dry and fold
Line dry in the shade or on a clothes horse under a fan to make your shells last longer. Inserts can be tumble dried on low, but the dryer does speed up wear and tear, so we recommend air drying covers where possible.
Quick FAQs
- Can I soak my nappies? No. Soaking can damage fabrics, elastics and the waterproof layer. (Soaking also voids our warranty.)
- Do I need a special detergent? No. Most mainstream detergents work well. The key is using enough for your machine size, water and load.
- Can I wash on cold? We recommend warm to hot washes. Cold isn't enough to remove the bacteria, urine and soiling that build up in cloth.
- Do I wash new nappies first? Yes, wash everything before first use. A standard warm wash with detergent is fine, no soaking needed. Natural fibre inserts (bamboo and hemp) take around 6-8 washes to reach full absorbency, so you may need to change more often at first.
- Does the dry pail smell? A well-managed dry pail should have very little odour. Keep it ventilated and keep up with your pre-washes.
- Maximum temperature? Don't wash above 60°C, and avoid fabric softener or bleach in the wrong dose. Both can damage nappies and void the warranty.
- Why are my nappies leaking? Usually it's fit, not enough absorbency, compression leaks, or residue build-up. See our fit guide, or message us and we'll happily help troubleshoot.
