More flexible advice, more clean nappies

We have overhauled our wash basics website page to make it easier for new cloth users to build their own wash routine. The three main changes are:

1. Renaming ‘prewash’ to ‘first wash’
2. Softening our advice around extended dry pailing
3. Refocusing our advice on loading

We know that our best practice advice will lead to clean nappies 100% of the time for 100% of people. We also know you don’t need a bulletproof routine to have consistently clean nappies.

When CCN first started, the Australian cloth nappy scene was a very different space. We had to be uncompromising with our wash routine advice to overcome the widespread myths and misinformation.

Over time we became too focused on the best practices and our advice became too rigid. We’re here to correct the course. We want our advice to be more flexible, approachable and fit better into your life.

1. Renaming ‘prewash’ to ‘first wash’

As part of this update, we are fading the term ‘prewash’ and replacing it with ‘first wash’. Many new members get confused by the term ‘prewash’. They think it refers to a specific cycle on their washing machine. As a result, they may use an inappropriate cycle and then get disheartened by stained or smelly nappies.

This is not a ban on using the term ‘prewash’! If you prefer it, there is no reason to stop using it.

The word ‘prewash’ will stay in the collective consciousness for years – just like ‘CCNDU’ or ‘S&S’. In time it may even mark you as an old-time community member. 😉

2. Softening our advice around extended dry pailing

Today’s members run hotter, longer and more frequent first washes than they did when CCN began 8 years ago.

If you run a long first wash (an hour or longer) or use chlorine bleach in the cycle, there is no reason to main wash within a set number of days. Wait until you have enough items for the machine to be loosely full to run your main wash.

3. Refocusing our advice on loading

We generally encourage people to optimise their machine loading where it’s practical. Good loading helps remove soiling and is the most water and energy-efficient option.

However, optimal loading is not necessary to remove urine from cloth nappies. With the right combination of cleaning factors (time, temperature, chemicals and the mechanical action of your washing machine), your nappies can still get clean in an underloaded cycle.

Available now

We hope this update makes creating a wash routine simpler and more approachable than before. 

Whether you breathed a sigh of relief or have been secretly bending the rules anyway, let us know your thoughts! 😀