Cloth nappies: economic & stylish too

Chameleon cloth nappies

Cushie Tushies don't contain the harsh chemicals used in making disposables, making them the ideal choice for protecting babies' sensitive skin. Using Cushie Tushies can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 40%! They use less water and energy to produce than the disposable alternative, and don't contribute to landfill either.

Shaped like a disposable and with no fiddly pins or plastic covers, Cushie Tushies are as simple and easy to use as disposables. The flushable liners also make nappy changes easy and mess free.

The average parent spends $3000-4000, per child, on disposable nappies from birth to toilet training. Disposable wipes and nappy sacks cost even more. But according to a spokesperson from Cushie Tushies, their cloth nappies cost only $600-1000 for that same period. At this rate, you only need to use your Cushie Tushie for around 6 weeks before it pays for itself!

Baby BeeHinds

Baby BeeHinds offer the convenience of an all-in-one with a pocket. These gorgeous nappies are one of our favourites - they're just soooo cute! - and are also so easy to use. They offer excellent absorbency, and as the sizing is quite generous, your baby will get maximum wear from each size ... and that means better value for money.

Designer Bums

Designer Bums nappies are reusable, environmentally friendly and made with materials that are breathable and kind to babies sensitive skin. They work just like disposables, but are better for your baby and the environment.

Designer Bums Pocket Nappies have a 100% cotton designer outer and are lined with silky soft suede cloth. The nappy inserts are made of three layers of the most absorbent bamboo fleece available - you'll probably only need one of these inserts for a small baby, then two as your baby gets older and becomes a heavier wetter.

Because the nappies have a hidden layer of PUL (polyurethane laminate), they're fine to use on their own and don't require covers of any sort. Designer Bums nappies are recommended for daytime use and will typically last 3-4 hours, but to prevent nappy rash it's best to change your baby a bit more often.

Caring for cloth nappies

Cloth nappies are relatively easy to care for, but it's best to follow some simple washing and care instructions. The following instructions are courtesy of Darlings Downunder. 

Pre-soak
You'll find most nappies will need a number of washes before obtaining full absorbency. This especially applies to nappies that use bamboo and hemp as the absorbent fabric. To save water (and time), soak your new nappies in cold water overnight - this will cut down on the number of washes you have to do. If you can't wait to use your new nappies (let's face it, very few of us can!) it's fine to use them after a soak and a prewash - just be aware that you may experience the odd leak and have to change the nappy more frequently the first few times you use it.

Creams
Don't use barrier creams on your child unless you use also use a liner to protect the nappy - zinc and petroleum-based barrier creams especially clog up the fabric of the nappies, preventing them from absorbing moisture.

It's a good idea to use a liner when you're using any sort of cream - some wash out better than others (and it can depend on your water and detergent), and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Dry pail/bucket
A lot of nappy companies recommend dry pailing/bucketing - that is, placing your soiled nappy into your nappy bucket dry (after removing any solids). Don't soak or add bleach to it. Simply rinsing the nappies before placing them in the bucket will dilute the urine and help prevent stains.

Detergent
The usual advice is to wash using half the amount detergent you'd normally use. While it's not necessary to use large amounts of detergent, how much you'll need to use without causing build-up will depend on whether you use cold, warm or hot water (the hotter the water, the less detergent you need), the softness/hardness of your water (South Australians have the hardest water and require more detergent than most other places) and which detergent you use. There may be some trial and error involved, but starting with half the amount of detergent recommended and then increasing as required is a good beginning.

While enzyme detergents are great cleaners - especially at lower water temperatures - enzymes aren't recommended when washing nappies, as there's a possibility that any residue left on the nappy can reactivate when they come into contact with urine, causing nappy rash. They're definitely not recommended if you have a baby who is prone to eczema.

Washing
Don't wash on more than 60 degrees. Don't use fabric softener or soap flakes (they stop the nappies absorbing), vinegar (it can damage elastic) or bleaches such as Napisan (this damages fabric and can cause nappy rash).

Some people find doing a rinse cycle before a full wash gives a better result. This may not be necessary if you rinse your nappies before dry pailing them.

Drying
The best method is hanging your nappies outside - the sun is a great natural bleach and sanitiser. Many nappies can be tumble-dried on low heat, but this isn't as sanitising.

Read each nappy's care instructions before drying. Keep in mind that nappies dried in the dryer on a regular basis will experience more wear.

For more information & FAQs on cloth nappies, visit our nappy forum.