Using cloth nappies when your child is sick or unwell

When your child is unwell, you might worry about sanitising their cloth nappies to prevent reinfection. The good news is in most cases, there is no need to sanitise anything. You can continue to use cloth nappies with little or no changes to your routine.

The best way to prevent the spread of illness is with good hygiene. Wash your hands at key times with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, after changing nappies, and before eating or preparing food, drinks, or ice.

At Clean Cloth Nappies, our expertise is washing cloth nappies and laundry. For specialist health advice please contact your doctor, or child health nurse or refer to reputable online resources like The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

Health – quick reference table

We have sorted common sickness into four categories: viral illnesses, bacterial infections, fungal infections and parasites. Sanitising is only needed for fungal infections and a few bacterial infections.

Using cloth nappies during vaccinations

Australia and New Zealand have vaccine schedules that start in infancy. Many members ask if they should stop using cloth nappies during vaccinations, particularly the oral rotavirus vaccines. 

Cloth nappies can be used during and after vaccinations and there is no need to sanitise them. 

Oral rotavirus vaccine

After the oral rotavirus vaccine, your baby may have mild, temporary diarrhoea or vomiting. This is a live vaccine, and the vomit and poo may contain small amounts of rotavirus.

Wash your hands thoroughly after nappy changing to prevent spreading the virus. 

If there is a large increase in soiling (from diarrhoea or vomit), increase the amount of detergent in your wash. No other precautions are required.

Washing vomit and diarrhoea-covered laundry

Viruses cause most instances of vomiting and diarrhea. Viruses spread through contact with bodily fluids, which means it is crucial to wash your hands thoroughly after changing and handling nappies.

If there is a lot of poo (or vomit) increase the cleaning factors. This means adding more detergent to the wash cycle and washing at 60°C where possible.

There is no need to switch to disposable nappies when children have a virus. Cloth nappies often contain poo better than disposables, especially liquid poo.

Many people refer to all incidents of vomiting and diarrhoea as ‘gastro’. Some bacterial and parasitic infections also cause gastrointestinal symptoms and are more serious.  

Cryptosporidiosis, Giardia, Listeriosis, Salmonellosis

Cryptosporidiosis (crypto) is a disease caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. This parasite infects the intestine and causes watery diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, also known as giardiasis.

Listeria is a type of bacteria. If you become infected with listeria, you can develop an illness called listeriosis. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms.

Salmonellosis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella bacteria. It is a bacterial infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea. 

In Australia and New Zealand, Cryptosporidiosis, Listeriosis, and Salmonellosis are nationally notifiable infectious diseases. Giardiasis is a notifiable disease in New Zealand and some Australian jurisdictions. Your doctor will diagnose these diseases using a stool (poo) or blood sample.

In Australia, most Salmonella infections occur after eating contaminated food or sometimes after contact with another person with the infection. 

~ NSW Health

If your child has crypto, giardia or listeria, wash cloth nappies, wipes and soiled linen in hot (60ºC) water to prevent reinfection.

If your child has salmonella you need to sanitise nappies, cloth wipes and towels after every use. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling nappies and wipes. 

Treating laundry when there are rashes and sores

Some viruses lead to a post-viral rash. There is no need to sanitise in this situation.

Chickenpox and Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease

With Chickenpox and HFM these rashes often develop into blisters and sores. It is not necessary to sanitise nappies, and cloth nappies can be used during these viruses.

Change nappies frequently, and use a zinc-based rash cream to prevent blisters from becoming even more irritated and to alleviate discomfort. Wash your hands thoroughly after changing nappies if there are blisters in the nappy region. 

If sores worsen, seek medical advice from a GP, as secondary bacterial or fungal infections can occur.

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection where small raised spots develop and is due to the molluscum contagiosum virus. These are spread by skin-to-skin contact. 

See your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. 

Change nappies frequently if the skin is itchy. Wash hands thoroughly after changing nappies if spots are present in the nappy region. Sanitising nappies is not required, and cloth nappies can be used during the illness.

Avoid sharing towels, face washers or clothing during the infection.

Bacterial infections

Nappy rashes can also be due to an overgrowth of bacteria. These usually look bright red or have little pimples or blisters, which may contain pus. This may also require medical treatment, using antibiotics. 

Nappies used by children with bacterial nappy rashes need to be sanitised. 

Impetigo (school sores)

Impetigo spreads easily through contact with the fluid or crusts of an impetigo sore, which contains the bacteria. Weeping sores can be infectious. Treatment with antibiotics is required, sores will stop being infectious about a day after treatment begins.

Reusable nappies, cloth wipes, and bath towels need sanitising after every use with this infection.

Mites and parasites

Mites (for example scabies) and intestinal parasites (for example pinworms or threadworms) can also cause difficulties. Items that come into contact with these need hot washing (60ºC). There is no need to sanitise these items.

Scabies

Scabies is usually spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, or by contact with infected towels, bedclothes and undergarments. The mites and their eggs may live on clothes or bed linen for one to two days.

Wash all clothing, towels and linen used in the 3 days before starting treatment using detergent and hot washes (60ºC) to kill the mites and their eggs. If possible, dry in the clothes dryer on high heat. 

Place items you can’t wash in sealed plastic bags and leave them in an out-of-the-way place, such as your garage, for a week. Mites die after a few days without food.

Clean your home to prevent scabies from spreading. Vacuum furniture, carpets and floors to remove scales and crusts that may have scabies mites.

Worms (pinworms, threadworms)

Pinworms (also called threadworms) are a common intestinal parasite, especially in young children. The eggs can also be spread indirectly; in food, dust, or other items. The eggs can survive up to two weeks outside the body.

Threadworm infection is not usually serious and is easily treated with medication available at pharmacies. Treat your whole family at the same time to avoid reinfection.

Wash bedding, towels, toys and underwear in hot (60ºC) washes with detergent. Vacuum your floor often to remove any eggs.