Welcome to Clean Cloth Nappies®

We are the Cloth Nappy experts. Our information has been developed and tested by qualified chemists and professionals.

Our wash recommendations make it easy to learn how to wash cloth nappies and diapers and keep them clean!

About Clean Cloth Nappies

Our website is a science-based education resource. We aim to encourage best practice to ensure success in getting reliably clean laundry with each and every wash.

The team behind the website

We are a group of parents who got tired of smelly, stained nappy laundry that gave our children rashes. We knew there must be a better way to keep our nappies clean.

What is a Clean Cloth Nappies routine?

Nappies are some of the dirtiest items you will ever wash. Modern cloth nappy inserts often consist of multilayered fibres. They are absorbent and require thorough washing to remove soiling and urine.

We recommend a two-step wash routine. A first wash with detergent, followed by a longer wash with a heavily soiled dose of detergent. All washes should be done in warm (40°C) or hot (60°C) water.

Ensuring your nappies are washed thoroughly prevents ammonia from forming and prolongs the life of the fabric.

1

Choose a detergent

Choose a detergent that suits your family.

Our favourite detergents and dosage recommendations are available to everyone. Our full list of 218 different detergents is available exclusively to our patrons. Learn more.

2

Remove soiling

Remove the majority of soiling (poo) once children are eating solid food and flush down the toilet.

This does not need to be done immediately, nappies can be treated together at the end of the day.

Do not rinse wee only nappies.

3

Store in an airy basket

Keep cloth nappies as dry as possible until it is time to wash, ideally in an airy basket without a lid.

Do not soak your cloth nappies. Soaking nappies degrades their elastics prematurely, forms a bacterial breeding ground and is a drowning hazard.

4

First wash to remove bulk of soiling

Run the first wash cycle, with detergent, every 24 to 48 hours. We sometimes call this the ‘prewash’ cycle. This cycle removes excess soiling and means the main wash is done in clean water.

Loading does not matter for this cycle, only for the main wash cycle. Many people run this cycle daily.

Place the washed nappies in your airy basket until there are enough nappies to run a main wash. Each nappy needs one first wash.

5

Second wash to get the nappies clean

Run a second wash cycle, with detergent, when there are enough items to fill the load. We call this the ‘main wash’.

Many members add small items (such as children’s clothing) to this wash cycle. Large items such as sheets and adult bath towels will wrap around nappies and reduce agitation.

For optimal (and economical) results load the washing machine properly for main wash. Cycle length and machine loading recommendations vary based on your machine. Learn more.

6

Dry all items thoroughly

Dry outdoors on a washing line, indoors on an airer, or in the dryer.

Avoid hanging polyurethane laminate (PUL) shells, covers and wet bags in direct sun. Use low heat if drying PUL items in the dryer.

Loading and cycle length recommendations

Front Loaders, Traditional Top Loaders and High-Efficiency (HE) Top Loaders have different cycle lengths and loading requirements. No matter what machine you use, getting the right ratio of water to laundry is fundamental for optimal cleaning.

We have cycle recommendations for 58 different washing machines and detergent information for 218 different detergents across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Learn more about wash cycles.

Select your machine below

Front loaders use less water and have longer cycles than traditional top loaders. Front loaders in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe heat their own water and wash at a range of temperatures. We recommend washing at 40-60°C.

Front loaders in North America do not usually heat their own water.

Loading and cycle length

A front loader pre wash cycle needs to run for at least 30 minutes. Many people run daily 60 minute+ pre wash cycles using hot (60°C) water. Loading does not matter for pre wash.

The main wash cycle needs to run for 2.5 to 3 hours and be rated for the full capacity of the machine. This is often the Cottons cycle.

Load the machine loosely full dry, this will be between 2/3- 3/4 full wet. Pre washed items count as dry. Add small items as needed to bulk the load.

Too little in the machine results in inadequate agitation and excess suds. Too much in the machine prevents items from moving freely and inhibits agitation.

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Clean Cloth Nappies resources

Detergent dosage calculator

Our Cloth Nappy Detergent Dosage Calculator uses machine size and water hardness and suggests personalised detergent amounts for your routine.

Buying a new washing machine

Our tips for choosing a new washing machine. We delve into cost, size, cycle options and energy and water efficiency.

Video resources

A collection of sanitising, stain removal and cloth nappy videos.

Cloth nappy index

We want to simplify and demystify the world of modern cloth nappies. Experienced members of our community test all items prior to inclusion.

Washing machine index

The Clean Cloth Nappies Washing Machine Index lists pre and main wash cycles to use for washing your modern cloth nappies.

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Clean Cloth Nappies acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of Australia and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.