[Felix101]

Hi all

I've just bought my very first MCNs, and am a little excited went with the full time pack of the dream dri pop ins (the new gen ones).

I've opened the box and found the instructions are missing. I'll head back to the store and get them, but in the interim would really like to get started on washing them.

I was wondering:
1. Do you wash in hot/warm/cold water?
2. What brand of washing power do you use (and does it matter), and how much? We have a front loader
3. Do you add any extra stuff (napisan, etc - my MIL keeps telling me I have to add a disinfectant but I don't know.. And if I do, what?)

I know not to soak them, but past that I'm clueless.. And they're so new any shiny I'd hate to ruin them

Sorry if questions on washing have been done to death - I can never get the search to work...

Thanks
Felix

[kazzamama]

How exciting!
I have a different brand but I wash in cold, I use a nappy detergent called Rockin' Green (have to buy online I think) but you can use anything - the trick is to use a very small amount. In fact for prewashing I'd consider just washing in water, no detergent. I have heard that napisan is too tough on modern nappies and not required - if they get stained, a day or so in the sun should do the trick.
I found that I had to ignore my mum and MIL who insisted I needed to soak and bleach, use napisan etc. but MCN's are a different story. You're right, no soaking. You'll need to rinse poos away before leaving in the pail, but otherwise drypailing is the way to go.
For now though, I'd just rinse in plain cold water a few times and dry in the sun, then they'll be ready to go! Depending on the fabric, they may need to be washed-in a few times to increase absorbancy.
Have fun!!

[tamjk]

I wash in warmish (30ºC) water, I'm too lazy to change the default temperature setting on my machine so they go in on the default temperature. I use a bosch front loader.

I use liquid detergent as I have a delightful child who has reacted in a VERY nasty way to every single powdered detergent I have tried for her and most liquid ones as well. Depending on where I do the groceries the week I'll be running out of detergent it's either non concentrated Earth Choice or Laundrite which is the really cheap detergent in the green bottle at Aldi. For the Earth Choice I use 20ml, Laundrite I use 30ml. The detergent you use DOES matter as a lot of the more expensive ones are loaded with fabric softeners and other goodies which make your nappies get really stinky and leaky really quickly. Dynamo also destroys the PUL, so don't even think of trying that one!

I don't add anything extra, you don't need it. For peace of mind I've been told you CAN add the dettol laundry stuff to the wash if there is sickness in the house, I've personally put my faith in good old UV light sterilisation. If it helps my MIL has an OLD parenting book which says adding sanitising agents actually causes nappy rash, that book predates disposable nappies and actually recommends just using a tablespoon of soap flakes.

[Silver Girl]

I wash my mcns in cold water and Earth Choice liquid and make sure they get as much sunshine on the clothes line as possible. I also wash the nappies in the same load as our clothes.

[Jenflea]

I do a cold water soak overnight every 2 days, spin that out, then do a warm wash(top loader so half water level most times) with half strength eco wash liquid(mum supplies me with the one from Golden Glow).
As much sun as possible! But in winter if I don't get them out I use a bit of Canestan rinse in the dispenser of the machine.
I'm pretty sure you DON'T use detergents which contain whiteners or enzymes as they destroy the nappies.
I use flushable liners now she's on solids. Cushie Tushies, soft bamboo.

[TheGrouch]

I use Fuzzibunz MCNs. I dry pail, wash every 2nd day.

1. Cold rinse cycle
2. 60 degree cotton cycle
3. Cold rinse again (I only do the second rinse every couple of washes to get rid of any extra soap build up)

I use about 2 tbsp liquid washing detergent, try to find one without optical whiteners and extra stuff in it. Can be hard to find, I am considering going online and ordering Rockin Green as PP have mentioned.

I don't use any extra products, and I don't soak the nappies at all. I think most people dry pail MCNs these days?

[D-nuts]

I was wondering:
1. Do you wash in hot/warm/cold water?
2. What brand of washing power do you use (and does it matter), and how much? We have a front loader
3. Do you add any extra stuff (napisan, etc - my MIL keeps telling me I have to add a disinfectant but I don't know.. And if I do, what?)

I know not to soak them, but past that I'm clueless.. And they're so new any shiny I'd hate to ruin them

1. Most of the time I wash in cold water, I use warm water when I do a strip wash.
2. I have a top loader and use soap nuts. About 4 in a bag that I reuse probably 8 times... once they start feeling soft (when dry) I throw them in the compost. These can be bought online or at a few physical stores.
The brand of detergent you use matters a lot. Many have fabric softeners, enzymes and other things that are bad for your nappies. The most common supermarket brand that is ok to use is 'Ecostore'
3. I only add 'extras' when there is a good reason too. I used disinfectant rinses for the week after DD had her rotavirus vaccines, and if she has a tummy bug. Only other thing that I use is cheap dishwashing detergent when I do a strip wash. For everyday washing, the sun is the best disinfectant, and it's free!

There is a great note on the itti bitti facebook page regarding keeping your nappies looking nice. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150376114819209

Welcome to the (very addictive) world of MCN

[Schmig]

I used them but now my DD is toilet trained. I was told by the nappy store never to use washing powder with enzymes in it as it affects the ability of the fabric to wick away the wee into the inner nappy (I have pocket nappies) . I dry pailed them and washed in cold water and line dried. MCNs are awesome and so much better than disposables

[Bigmum]

I wash my mcns in cold water and Earth Choice liquid and make sure they get as much sunshine on the clothes line as possible. I also wash the nappies in the same load as our clothes.

ditto.

but I live in singapore. Its hot even when its raining and everything dries super fast and super well.

You want a liquid/powder with no colourings/brihteners/surfactants etc. No enzymes as they break down the waterproofing layers and microfibre. So go something labelled natural and eco earth friendly etc.

eta: I use cold water, wash the nappies every day. ( But I am a freak that loves washing)
For my first washes, I washed the nappies 4 times on a cycle that does 3 fill ups. Then dried them. It probably took them 2 months of ds using them to get to full absorbancy. So dont be alarmed when your bubbas wee doesnt fully soak in for a while. It will get there.

This post has been edited by Bigmum: 13/03/2012, 09:44 PM

[Lil Chickens]

I found a hint about putting vinegar in the rinse cycle (it acts like Canesten or Dettol) to keep smells away and we find that works - we don't have to strip wash as often as it seems to ensure the detergent is rinsed well.

We use the unconcentrated Earth Choice (blue) because I read about that one somewhere and my DD had less reaction when we changed to that - we only use it for nappies though.

Kind of off topic but I had trouble with my MIL and soaking them! She looked after my DD one day a week when I went back to work and no matter how many times I told her (or my husband) she would soak them. So, she loves putting up signs to tell her husband what to do (how to clean his shoes, where to put his clothes etc) so I put one in our laundry saying "Please don't soak the nappies, rinse the poo and in bucket" with an arrow pointing to the bucket. Exactly what she did to her kids growing up and her DH now! She started bringing disposables and would change DD pretty much as soon as DH left the house of a morning!!