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Reusable/washable/cloth nappies

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  • jellyhead
    jellyhead Posts: 21,555 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    yes i'm using my bambino prefolds inside the prorap. i also still use the kushies size 1 all in one. the wrap and prefold thing doesn't work too well for us, roo has frequent watery poo and it's quite explosive (perhaps due to colic/lactose intolerance, that might get better at around 4 months old fingers crossed) so he's getting the wrap messy quite often. if i was going to use just the wraps and prefolds i think i'd need almost as many wraps as the prefolds, rarely does the wrap last for more than one prefold change. the all in ones are simpler for me to use as they're just all in one but if his toilet habits were different then i could see how wraps and prefolds or shaped nappies would be good. the prefolds are certainly more absorbent than the all in one.
    52% tight
  • Alleycat
    Alleycat Posts: 4,601 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    On the other hand though, you will have to weigh up the costs. Washable nappies need to be soaked in a solution, washed at a high temperate in a detergent, then theres the cost of the tumble dryer if your going to use one. Then each nappy needs a lining and then a pair of plastic pants which need to be regularly replaced. Weigh up all the costs of the solution, washing powder, electric and water (if your on a meter) etc as you might not be saving much money but giving yourself loads more work.

    As for using them with the 2nd baby the nappies I used were in no fit state to be used again. As well as that, I was far too busy to find time to wash nappies once the second one came along.

    I would have to totally disagree with these comments, sorry!

    Reusables don't need to be soaked at all.

    - I dry pail (basically put used nappy in bin) with a few drops of lavender in the bucket to eliminate smells

    - usually wash at 40 degrees (occasionally 60), you shouldn't 'boil wash' as it knackers the waterproofness (sp?)

    - use half detergent with white vinegar in the conditioning drawer (its recommended not to use normal conditioner as this coats the fleece/terry and makes it less absorbant

    - never tumble dry. I line dry or use an airer indoors if the weather is rubbish (btw I don't even own a tumble)

    - You only need around five wraps (if using a two part system) as they only need replacing every couple of changes or soiled

    - liners can be reusable. Fleece liners are lovely and really easy to make with a cheapy fleece blanket cut into bits. Also (sorry if anyone is eating!) when they are on solids, poo 'rolls' off much easier into the loo. You also don't necessarily need to use a liner, I don't with my fuzzis

    - If you are just washing nappies seperately and don't have a full load, use the half load cycle or quick wash if you have one on your machine. Alternatively, like I do, put them in with other whites to make a full load. You would be washing those clothes anyway so no extra electric or water used.

    I work part-time and really don't feel any extra 'strain'. Put the machine on in the morning, go to work, hang out to dry in the evening, then into the basket ready for use. If you put a nappy mesh into your bin, all you need to do is whip this out and tip it out into the machine.

    If anyone read the life cycle analysis report conducted by the Environmental Agency a while ago, please please please ignore it, or read this...

    http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/

    I can honestly say that I have saved nearly £100 already Top MoneySaving :money: and have never looked back! Its not just money saving, but making a difference to the environment, as well as no nasty chemicals against my daughter's skin. :j

    Sorry to rant on a bit, but am a bit tiddly!!

    Alley
    "I've fallen down a hole" - said in best Monty Python voice-over.
  • carol_a_3
    carol_a_3 Posts: 1,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I had two dozen terry squares for my kids from Boots or Mothercare or somewhere. Used them with disposable liners, soaked overnight in a bucket of napisan or similar then washed in the normal wash. Line dry or radiator when wet. When they were tiny they were folded in a different manner to when they got bigger, health visitor showed us how at parentcraft classes. Big old nappy pins and plastic pants, frilly ones for the girls when they had dresses on. They are still snowy white now and used constantly as kitchen towels...kids are 22, 19 and 15! How times change, half of this thread didn't make sense to me..good luck to all you new mums.
  • Alleycat wrote:
    I would have to totally disagree with these comments, sorry!

    Reusables don't need to be soaked at all.

    - I dry pail (basically put used nappy in bin) with a few drops of lavender in the bucket to eliminate smells

    - usually wash at 40 degrees (occasionally 60), you shouldn't 'boil wash' as it knackers the waterproofness (sp?)

    - use half detergent with white vinegar in the conditioning drawer (its recommended not to use normal conditioner as this coats the fleece/terry and makes it less absorbant

    - never tumble dry. I line dry or use an airer indoors if the weather is rubbish (btw I don't even own a tumble)

    - You only need around five wraps (if using a two part system) as they only need replacing every couple of changes or soiled

    - liners can be reusable. Fleece liners are lovely and really easy to make with a cheapy fleece blanket cut into bits. Also (sorry if anyone is eating!) when they are on solids, poo 'rolls' off much easier into the loo. You also don't necessarily need to use a liner, I don't with my fuzzis

    - If you are just washing nappies seperately and don't have a full load, use the half load cycle or quick wash if you have one on your machine. Alternatively, like I do, put them in with other whites to make a full load. You would be washing those clothes anyway so no extra electric or water used.

    I work part-time and really don't feel any extra 'strain'. Put the machine on in the morning, go to work, hang out to dry in the evening, then into the basket ready for use. If you put a nappy mesh into your bin, all you need to do is whip this out and tip it out into the machine.

    If anyone read the life cycle analysis report conducted by the Environmental Agency a while ago, please please please ignore it, or read this...

    http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/

    I can honestly say that I have saved nearly £100 already Top MoneySaving :money: and have never looked back! Its not just money saving, but making a difference to the environment, as well as no nasty chemicals against my daughter's skin. :j

    Sorry to rant on a bit, but am a bit tiddly!!

    Alley
    Well I'm glad it worked out for you so well. I was just airing my views which is what this website is for. At the time I had my children I was very concerned about money as I was in debt and barely keeping my head above water so I desperately wanted to make the washable nappy thing work. But sadly it didn't work out for me. I found I was spending out more than I would with a disposable. But if you can find a way it works for you I wish you well.
    2008 Comping Challenge
    Won so far - £3010 Needed - £230
    Debt free since Oct 2004
  • We use Motherease onesize - from a 4 week old, to just under 2 years they have worked really well for our son.

    The only thing is that you'll need to replace the covers about every year or so - but that's not a big deal really.
    CarQuake / Ergo Digital
  • Judi101
    Judi101 Posts: 134 Forumite
    Wow Guys, thanks for all the great advice. I think it would certainly best if I wait until the baby comes along (felt him/her move for the first time last night!) and then get a selection of different ones to see which are best for the sproggling. Now I just need to convince the other half but I'll show him this thread so it shouldnt be that hard. Great tip about getting the fermenting bin, I'd been wondering where to get a large nappy bin. Did have a look into it and it does look like Leicestershire County Council might do some cash back on buying washables so will look into that again when I get some.

    Thanks so much for the help.

    Judi
  • eldbs
    eldbs Posts: 42 Forumite
    We went for Motherease onesize also, they fitted our little girl from birth (well from return from hospital as we took disposables to hospital with us for convenience) and are expandable up to two years old.

    We also bought booster liners for them which give a bit of extra absorbtion for overnight as they get older from about 6 months. The Mother ease wtrappers are also pretty good, although the bambinomio wrappers were very good fro the fisrt 2 months.

    We bought all ours from the Motherease website (in Canada) and had them delivered to friends in the states who were coming over here. So for 20 nappies and pads we paid 200 USD (£130) as opposed to £280+ over here and then we also got an additional £30 back form the council.

    We also use the disposable paper-thin liners which we buy in rolls from our local baby-shop. We do soak the nappies also in a net bag in a bucket. We bought a bucket with a lid from the pound shop and the net bag we made from some nettin from the market and a bit of cord and a toggle.

    Every night I take the net bag out of the bucket and put it on to wash after the last nappy change (around 11.30 after the last feed) at 60 degrees, by which time it is economy 7 time and mega cheap electricity.

    I hope this helps.
    Benj
  • I'm 'playing' with reusables but just haven't liked any of them so far.

    Conclusions;
    Tots Bots are too bulky
    Motherease are too Bulky
    Swaddlebees wick through (my boy is a heavy wetter)
    Kushies Ultra ok-ish
    Diddy diapers are too diddy!

    I have a Fuzzi Bunz and Nappy Nation AIO coming this week.

    Any suggestions?
  • jellyhead
    jellyhead Posts: 21,555 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    would a prefold system be less bulky for you?
    52% tight
  • bylromarha
    bylromarha Posts: 10,085 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    donna-j. Motherease all in one or motherease one size? I've found my motherease one size + wrap are as bulky as a disposable...ie they allow my sons trousers to fall off.

    IMO prefold is bulkier than motherease one size.
    Who made hogs and dogs and frogs?
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