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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!
With our chlorine bleach sanitise you can remove stains and smells from cloth nappies with minimal effort, and minimal cost.
There are 31 different options to choose from, including ammonia smells (mild, moderate, significant), cold water washes, mould (mild, moderate and significant), single cycle washes, second-hand nappies, minor stains, major stains, bacterial and fungal infections.
Our patrons have access to our full detergent index, washing machine index, sanitise information and all new tools. Become a patron to support our Facebook group and enable us to provide troubleshooting advice and help to all cloth users.
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 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.
Choose a detergent that suits your family.
Our favourite detergents and dosage recommendations are available to everyone. Our full list of 222 different detergents is available exclusively to our patrons. Learn more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Front Loaders, Traditional Top Loaders and High-Efficiency (HE) Top Loaders have different cycle lengths and loading requirements. No matter what machine you use, matching the correct amount of detergent to the level of soiling is fundamental for optimal cleaning.
We have cycle recommendations for 58 different washing machines and detergent information for 222 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.
In a front loader the first wash wash needs to run for at least 30 minutes. Many people run daily 60 minute+ first wash cycles using hot (60°C) water. Loading does not matter for this 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. Items that have been through the first wash 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.
Front loader washing machines
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.
In a traditional top loader the first wash cycle needs to run for at least 30 minutes. Loading does not matter for this 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.
Top loader (traditional) washing machines
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.
In a HE top loader the first wash cycle needs to run for at least 30 minutes. Loading does not matter for this 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.
Top Loader (HE) washing machines
We have developed a set of resources, an advocacy packet, for you to share with your childcare providers to remove some of those barriers and make it feel easier.
Our Cloth Nappy Detergent Dosage Calculator uses machine size and water hardness and suggests personalised detergent amounts for your routine.
We have created two A4 posters cloth nappy fit guides to explain how to fit a cloth nappy and how one-size-fits-most (OSFM) sizing works
The annual cloth nappy cost calculator uses tailored information to estimate your total cloth nappy laundry costs per year.
Our tips for choosing a new washing machine. We delve into cost, size, cycle options and energy and water efficiency.
A collection of sanitising, stain removal and cloth nappy videos.
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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.