Washable/Reusable Nappies

Maybeanotherday

Hello guys
Hope someone can help, I have been using tots bots bambozels quite successfully for a few months but have been given some tots bots fluffies and everytime I use them without fail they leak Has anyone else had this problem?

Also what is beats to wash washables with? non-bio, soap nuts or other?

I dry bale mine and they are starting to smell very strongly of amonia, plus little man got an extremly bad nappy rash the other day something he doesnt usually get.

Any help appreciated

KT1985

Can't answer the first question, but in the nappy section of my pregnancy and baby book it says use non-bio, with white vinegar on the rinse cycle- which is how I have washed all of the clothes I have been given which have come out brilliantly- soft and clean.

Not sure what dry bailing is...

the bamboozles vs fluffles thingf could just be a case of a) what you are used to and b) that different nappies suit different children and parents.

Sorry I can't really help

OrkneyStar

skellett wrote: »

Hello guys
Hope someone can help, I have been using tots bots bambozels quite successfully for a few months but have been given some tots bots fluffies and everytime I use them without fail they leak Has anyone else had this problem?

Also what is beats to wash washables with? non-bio, soap nuts or other?

I dry bale mine and they are starting to smell very strongly of amonia, plus little man got an extremly bad nappy rash the other day something he doesnt usually get.

Any help appreciated

Fluffles are great because they dry quickly however I found the two main disadvantages to be:
1. less absorbant
2. more chance of rashes (I put this down to them being synthetic).
I found that I did have to change them more often. They did also tend to smell a little if not washed enough.....a few drops of tea tree oil in the nappy pail can stop the smell wafting round the room. As for washing, I used non-bio (or sometimes bio) and made sure that they were thoroughly rinsed each time. I tended to wash these at 40 mainly, sometimes 60. Line drying is best for these I find too, they do dry quickly indoors as well.
TBH I preferred bamboozles although they do take a while to dry.
hth somewhat!
x

Pepzofio

I washed my nappies with eco-balls and they were great - never smelled of ammonia and were always clean.They cost about £30 but they last for something like 1000 washes. I didn't bother soaking mine - tried it briefly but the hassle of changing the stinking water daily and trying not to drip it all over the floor when loading the machine was too much!

I tried loads of different washable nappies as I ended up being a tester for Mother & Baby magazine awards - I don't think I tried the tots bots fluffies but I did get sent a synthetic version of one of the other washables and I found the same thing re: leaking - it was hopeless! Once DS got a bit bigger bamboo ones were definitely my favourites (even if they did take a bit longer to dry), but TBH when he was smaller I found old-school terrys squares were the best (no in-between-sizes problems!)

amilotte

My friend had the very same problem with the fluffles leaking and she had a boy, with my DD I had them and got on really well with them. I had a couple of leaks but this was usually down to me not changing in time or too tight clothing. Have you had a good play around with the position of the booster? You could also try a seperate booster perhaps. I also had a couple of bamboozles and they certainly get top marks for absorbency.

My DD also had an episode of the worst nappy rash I had ever seen whilst using the fluffles but this seemed to stop the older she got. I must admit I tended to leave her without a nappy on as often as I could when we were at home so that her bum could 'breathe' but I figure this isn't as easy with a boy (I am due one in 10 weeks so will be finding out for myself :rotfl:)

Re dry bale, I have a feeling that I used to put a few drops of lavender in the bucket but this is 3 years ago and pregnant brain isn't great at the mo:eek:! I know I used it as an alternative to fabric softner (for the scent) but can't remember if this was with the nappies too.

gin

Maybe the nappies need stripping? A detergent build-up can cause nappy rash. Try washing them with no powder and as many rinses as you can - basically until there are no more bubbles in your machine.

PS I use a half measure of bio washing powder for my nappies.

fernliebee

Re the build up of detergent, you can put them on a rinse cycle with a cup of vinegar in and this helps strip them.

Personally I use an eco non-bio (tiny amount) and white vinegar as a softener in the wash, and sometimes put a few drops of lavender in to scent it. I always dry pailed them, but recently due to the hot weather they were a bit stinky so I have been wet pailing them. Doesn't smell at all with the lid on, but once you take the lid off it stinks a lot worse than dry pailing. I always put a few drops of tea tree in with them too as it is anti bacterial. I then do a nappy wash every 2-3 days and put them on a 95 degree wash to kill all germs. I know they say you can wash at lower temps but my DD gets nappy rash when she is teething and when I was washing at 40-60 I found it got worse, so I have just carried on doing them on hot.

re leaks, Are you using matching nappies and wraps, as I found when using a wrap designed for prefolds on a shaped nappy that they would leak badly, so changed to the matching wrap and never had any leaks since. If it is an absorbancy problem could you put a booster between nappy and wrap to increase absorbancy?

Nappy lady always has good advice on the trouble shooting page, maybe try that.

peachespeaches

60 degrees with non bio. Formil non bio from Lidl is cheap and good for sensitive skin.

If you are experiencing smells, maybe your nappies need stripping of detergent which I think you do by adding bicarb of soda and washing them with no detergent, then wash them with nothing and no detergent until no evidence of foaming occurs.

These might help:

http://www.clothnappytree.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10175

http://www.clothnappyaddicts.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5286

Also see my post about reduced tots bots if you need to restock.

FWIW I didnt find fluffles that absorbent either compared to cotton, but using a motherease wrap helps, also washing them loads of times before using is good.

knithappens

i know this s not or everyone, but thought i would put this out there

the local council usually have resuable nappy schemes, my local council have just set one up where you get

one month free trial with a nappy laundry service
or
2 week trial using home laundry kit ( can then claim a £30 voucher at the end of the trial - £30 returnable deposit or this option)


some councils have a lot better schemes, worth a look.
i am in the oldham area , with this scheme anyone can apply.if interested can contact them on 01617706644
recycle@oldham.gov.uk

kingkano

Fantastic if you have the option Sadly my council finished their scheme this year and have no plans of restarting it

mumofthreemonkies83

Hi everyone

I hope im posting in the right place

I have two boys, elder 2.5years and younger 14 months.When older boy was born I decided to give cotton nappies a try and bought mainly tots bots wraps which I like and I have a motherease one size , tots bots fluffle :rolleyes: tots bots organic and what I think is a bimble?? I cant remeber now lol

Anyway I want to give it another try but dont have enough nappies (and maybe wraps) for them both :mad:
Ive had them both in cottons for a week now but im having to wash them all every day and I dont have a dryer till next week :eek:
I have plenty cotton prefolds but theyre a bit fiddly now the boys wriggle off at every opportunity.

Im hoping for some advice on whats good, whats not and wheres best to buy.
Of course it would be easier if I could use the same nappies for them both rather than two sizes and I do quite like having a nappy and seperate wrap rather than the all in one although im open to suggestions.


Hope someone can offer their advice, im totally confused looking at websites

Mumof4 xx