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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!
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.
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.
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 short wash with a half dose of 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.
Our favourite detergents and dosage recommendations are available to everyone. Our full list of 218 different detergents is available exclusively to our website members. Choose a detergent.
Remove the majority of soiling (poo) once children are eating solid food, and flush.
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.
Keep cloth nappies as dry as possible until it is time to wash, ideally in an airy basket without a lid. This is known as dry pailing.
Do not soak your cloth nappies. Soaking nappies degrades the PUL and elastics prematurely, forms a bacterial breeding ground and is a drowning hazard.
Run a wash cycle, with detergent, every 24 to 48 hours. We 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 the prewash cycle, only for the main wash cycle. Many people run a daily prewash cycle.
Each nappy needs one prewash. Place prewashed nappies in your dry pail until there are enough nappies to run a main wash.
Run a long wash every two or three days with detergent. We call this the ‘main wash’.
It is important to load the washing machine properly for main wash. Many people add small items (light-coloured to prevent colour run) to their main wash to ensure optimal agitation. Aim for items smaller than 60x60cm, baby and children’s clothes are an ideal size. Large items such as adult bath towels will wrap around nappies and reduce agitation.
Cycle length and machine loading recommendations vary based on your machine. Learn more.
Dry outdoors on a washing line, indoors on an airer, or in the dryer.
Avoid hanging PUL shells, covers and wet bags in direct sun. Use low heat if drying PUL items in the dryer.
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.
Front loader
Top loader (traditional)
Top Loader (HE)
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.
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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Traditional top loaders have shorter wash cycles and use more water than front loaders. They have central agitators and require you to set the water level for each wash cycle.
Top loaders do not heat their own water, and the wash temperature is dependent on your hot water system. The warm setting on a top loader is unlikely to reach 40°C. Most top loaders require ‘hot’ cycles to ensure water is above 40°C. Test the machine’s water temperature using a meat or candy thermometer after the machine has finished filling to check the water is above 40°C.
A traditional top loader pre wash cycle needs to run for at least 30 minutes. Loading does not matter for pre wash.
The main wash cycle should last at least an hour. Choose the longest cycle the machine has (usually Cottons or Heavy Duty) and extend the cycle if possible (Intensive option). Alternatively, add a Soak option or create a soak by pausing the wash during the cycle.
Load the main wash cycle to achieve a ‘stew’ consistency. Make sure the items agitate against each other and are periodically pulled down. Add small items as needed to bulk the load.
A ‘stew’ can be achieved with any level of laundry, most machines work best at 1/2- 2/3 full. Some machines work well at 3/4 full. Having too much or too little water (a “soup” or “chilli” consistency) reduces friction and prevents items from getting clean.
Check the agitation during the wash cycle. You might need to cover the lid sensor (to mimic the lid being shut) to prevent the machine from pausing when the lid is open.
We even have a custom routine for Fisher & Paykel Top Loaders.
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High-Efficiency (HE) top loaders have short or no agitators. They are able to automatically add the correct amount of water to match the amount of laundry. They use less water and have longer wash cycles compared to traditional top loaders.
Top loaders do not heat their own water, and the wash temperature is dependent on your hot water system. The warm setting on a top loader is unlikely to reach 40°C. Most top loaders require ‘hot’ cycles to ensure water is above 40°C. Test the machine’s water temperature using a meat or candy thermometer after the machine has finished filling to check the water is above 40°C.
An HE top loader pre wash cycle needs to run for at least 30 minutes. Loading does not matter for pre wash.
The main wash cycle should last at least an hour. Choose the longest cycle the machine has (usually Cottons or Heavy Duty) and extend the cycle if possible (Intensive option).
Load the main wash cycle to achieve a ‘stew’ consistency. Make sure the items agitate against each other and are periodically pulled down. Add small items as needed to bulk the load.
HE top loaders automatically add water to match the amount of laundry. Most machines need to be at least half full of laundry to do this. Some machines do so accurately; however, it is important to test this function. You might need to cover the lid sensor (to mimic the lid being shut) to view the agitation during the wash cycle.
Having too much or too little water (a ‘soup’ or ‘chilli’ consistency) reduces friction and prevents items from getting clean.
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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.
