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Why use Cloth Nappies? Using cloth nappies will save you money. A disposable nappy can cost up to £1000 over 30 months, whereas a cloth nappy will only cost for the original outlay to buy and then energy and water used for washing and drying. A cloth nappy does not have the man-made materials and chemicals that a disposable uses. These materials and chemicals not only use non-renewable resources but can also take up to 500 years to decompose in landfill sites. Why not to use cloth nappies? They are bulkier to use than a disposable, as they don't have the absorbancy of the chemicals it means absorbant materials do the work. That also means that because they are not as absorbant they will need changing more often. If you don't own a tumble dryer you may have to wait a couple of days while washed nappies dry on a line or airer. First Impressions What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the words cloth nappies? For me it was white terry squares and nappy pins with horrible plastic pants. I still used these for my eldest daughter and was going to use them for my youngest daughter too but couldn't find any plastic pants small enough for her until she was nearly 5 months old and then she reacted to the pants anyway. I thought that was it and I'd have to use disposables until she was potty trained. First Realities Modern Cloth Nappies are mostly shaped exactly like a disposable nappy and fix in the same way too. They either have poppers at the sides, have Aplix (velcro) strips or use a fastening device called a 'nappy nippa'. On the inside, the terry cloth soakes up the urine and a liner can be used to help pretect the baby's bottom. For night times a booster can be added. That is basically an extra layer of terry cloth to soak up more urine throughout the night. To keep a cloth nappy from leaking it is surrounded by a pair of waterproof pants called a 'wrap'. Some cloth nappies are made with the wrap attatched and some with seperate wraps, so that one wrap can be used all day whilst changing the internal cloth nappy how ever many times a day you require. Since then I haven't looked back. I ordered some wraps to go over the top of my squares but then started to try different shaped nappies which I, personally, have found so much easier for my family to use. Second Impressions My second thought was that I would have all these dirty smelly nappies waiting to be washed. Or that I would have to pre soak my nappies in a bucket for days and then wash them at 90 degrees. Second Realities The facts are though you do have to wash your own nappies it's not nearly as dirty as that. When a nappy is dirty any poo is put into the toilet and the nappy is placed in a specially designed bucket, called a 'nappy bucket' to store until ready to wash. Inside the bucket is a mesh bag to place the nappies inside, and if you want you can use a nappy detergent to help with any staining there might be. When the bucket is full, lift the bag and place in the washing machine. There is no need to wash at 90 degrees, as only 60 degrees is sufficient. Personally, I don't even soak my nappies, I 'dry pail'. This means I flush whatever poo down the toilet and then just chuck the nappy in the bucket, without any detergent, once it is full I just lift the nappy mesh out and chuck the whole lot in the washer and stick it on a 60 degree wash with a non bio powder/liquid. I also don't use fabric softener as this hinders the absorbency of the nappies. I must admit that I tumble my nappies but not the wraps, however if I can line dry then I do. I like seeing all my nappies hanging on the line to dry. Especially when they are multicoloured. I also find that I don't really have that much extra washing. It doesn't make much difference putting an extra load in every 2 to 3 days when I already have 2 kids, 1 husband and myself to wash for. |
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