Did you know that wet inserts can freeze?

Experienced Clean Cloth Nappies admin Karen shares her story of using cloth nappies in the depths of winter.

This winter (2024) has been particularly cold across southeast Australia. It reminded me of a funny story from when my kids were little. 

A few years back we renovated our laundry. At the time both kids were in cloth nappies, and both of them were significant wee-ers. 

We live in regional Victoria, and our winters are always cold. Freezing cold 🥶🥶

During the renovation, we stored the washing machine and dryer, and all our related cloth nappy paraphernalia outside. Well, as we know renovations take time….. and they take even more time when they are done by yourself and your partner. 

My morning routine was to put our first wash on once night nappies were off the bum in the morning. Well, we came into winter (a freezing winter) and the sodden inserts would freeze overnight in the below-zero temperatures! 

I did pull one set apart once, but then I thought it might damage the fabric. So, I just popped the solid inserts into the washing machine as ice blocks! 

I don’t believe the repeated freezing and thawing had any lasting effect on my nappies – but I was very grateful for warming my hands with a cup of tea after sorting the nappies during that period.

After that winter I have a great appreciation for those who use cloth nappies without any laundry and anyone in extreme environments.