Children Healthy Care

Re-usable nappies are becoming more popular as an environmentally safe alternative to disposable nappies. A re-usable nappy can be made from flannel, cotton or even hemp. Regardless to which of these materials are used, during a nappy change a parent may notice that the cloth has become coarse. There are many different methods to keep re-usable nappies soft to ensure that you are providing the best nappy you can for your baby.

One way to ensure a soft nappy is to always rinse out the used one during every nappy change. Leaving the waste behind until you are ready to launder them can cause the material that the nappy is made of to prematurely break down. Part of the process should include pre-washing the nappies in a sink using cold water and a mild laundry soap.

Most often the use of fabric softener on cloth nappies is not recommended. The fabric softener can build up over time and minimize the absorbency of the nappy. Fabric softener may also contain perfumes and other chemicals that are too harsh for the delicate skin of your baby. Many mums add white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar works to effectively eliminate odour while also making the material nice and soft.

Another popular method used to keep cloth nappies soft includes the use of dryer balls. These innovative balls will tumble around in the dryer with your clothing or the baby’s nappies and keep them soft. They work by beating on the fabric to soften it up. The use of dryer balls can age the fabric quicker than other methods, but are otherwise safe to use and can be purchased fragrance free to not irritate delicate skin.

Completely stripping the nappies will also work effectively to soften them. Washing them in hot water with dish soap and rinsing them well helps to remove the build-up of detergent. This build-up can cause the nappies to become stiff and rough and irritating to the gentle skin. Once this build-up has been removed, the nappies will become softer.