FAQ

We have put together a few FAQ that might come up during the cloth lifetime, if you don't find your answers here please give us a call or send us an email and we would love to hear from you.

General Questions

I've received my parcel, what next?

Once you have received your parcel, it's time to get started. Your inserts need to be soaked for 24 hours and then the shells and inserts need to be wash. This first was is purely for hygienic reasons so they are nice and fresh for bub. Have a look at our How To Start page for step by step instructions.

Does using cloth really save money?

Yes! Making the switch to reusables is guaranteed to save you money. There is a breakdown in our Journal but in short disposable will cost you around $3000 over the lifetime of bub, where as cloth is a once off cost of less than $500.

How long will my cloth nappies last?

Based on an industry standard they should last a full time user approximately 2 years. Factors that shorten or lengthen this period are based around care, frequency of washing, frequency of use (full time/part time).

Why are there so many inserts?

Our Cloth Nappies come with 2 inserts and our Night Nappies come with 5. We don't want you to have to guess so we have given you maximum absorbency. If you find that you don't need as many inserts during the day or at night please adjust them as needed. It's always better to have spares than not enough.

How often should cloth nappies be changed?

We recommend changing the nappy every 2-3 hours as you would any other nappy.

Do I change the whole nappy or just the inserts?

With our nappies we recommend changing the entire nappy. The pocket style gives the same fit as a disposable so it's definitely more streamline to keep everything together. Then when you throw the nappy in the washing machine you just pull the inserts out so everything can be washed as an individual item.

Can I use the cloth nappies at night?

Yes! For smaller babies the cloth nappy is perfectly fine at night and should be fine until the age of about 2. We do recommend purchasing more inserts if you plan on using the cloth nappies for night, it is recommended that you use 4-5 to ensure you are leak free for over 12 hours.
The specialty Night Nappy has been designed for longevity which is why it fits from 8-25kgs which should last the child until they are 5 or 6.

What do I do with a dirty nappy when I’m out?

When you are out and about pop the dirty nappy into your Gentle Wilderness wet bag. Then once you are home add it to the bucket for wash day, as suggested in the guidance above.

Can I use balms or creams when using cloth?

Yes they can! We just recommend keeping away from products containing petroleum or zinc as these will reduce the absorbance of the nappy.

I'm getting leaks, what do I do?

There always a reason for leaks so we can help you solve it. Firstly check the fit, make sure there are no gaps around the thigh. If you have following the fitting guide and are happy with this let's now review the inserts. Boys benefit from having the inserts pushed to the top of the nappy, and girls in the middle. Make sure you using both inserts that come with the nappy and have started them correctly for maximum absorbency.
If you are still getting leaks please send us an email or give us a call, we can troubleshoot with you over the phone.

Which wipes should I use?

Water Wipes are the cleanest on the market and can be purchased on sale several times a year from major retailers or buy in bulk online. Buying in bulk online will help keep costs down.

If you are home I recommend using cloth wipes, they are super easy to use and can be as simple as a thin flannel with a spray bottom to wet the cloth before you wipe is all you need.

Washing

How do I wash the dirty nappies?

We recommend a 3 day wash routine, this will work for most households with about 24 nappies in the stash. We have followed Clean Cloth Nappy guidelines as they are a wealth of knowledge and can customise a routine for your specific machine and stash.
For the full guide please see the How to Wash and Store section.

How do I store the dirty nappies?

Store them in an airy-bucket. This is a bucket with lots of holes to allow for airflow. Don't soak your Modern Cloth Nappies, leave them in the bucket as is and they will be fine to be left for washing day. For the full guide please see the How to Wash and Store section.

What about Stubborn Stains?

Sometimes stubborn stains just need a pre-wash soak to help remove them. A 30-60min soak in a scoop of pre-wash stain remover is the key. We don't recommend soaking the nappies with harsh chemicals or bleaches as this can effect the lining of the shell and impact the laminate lining.

They nappies have a funny smell even after I've washed them. What do I do?

If the nappies are still smelling you might need to reassess the wash routine. The smell is a build up of ammonia which means the nappies haven't been washed thoroughly. Please refer back to our How to Wash section for all of the details.

Can I use my eco detergents for the main wash?

Yes you can, it’s just recommended to double the quantity stated on the packaging. Clean Cloth Nappies Down Under recommend commercial detergents as they contain Sodium Carbonate (which can only be purchased commercially) and this is what removes all excess ammonia from the cloth. Check out the Clean Cloth Nappies website, they are a wealth of information catered to your exact machine.

Can I use a fabric softener?

I won’t recommend it, a fabric softener lines the cloth and doesn’t allow the detergent to get into the nitty gritty when washing.

How do I dry the inserts?

Popping the inserts in the sun is the best way, evenly spacing them out on a clothes airier or the line. If you get a period where you can't dry them naturally then pop them in the dryer on a low heat. This isn't recommended repeatedly long term but it is a solution for those odd occasions.

How do I dry the shells?

The shells need a little more care and the waterproof lining is delicate. In saying this, they take a fraction of the time to dry. We recommend popping them in partial sun for a short period and then moving them into a locations that's ventilated and airy.

If you don't find the answers here please give us a call or send us an email, we would love to hear from you.