This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password:…
Application and problem glossary
All in One nappies
You have nappies with sewn in absorbency which need sanitisation, this level of chlorine is less than other applications to prevent potential damage to PUL.
Safe for:
Methods:
Ammonia (mild)
Your nappies smell mildly of ammonia, stronger than normal urine, similar to a toilet which hasn’t been flushed all day.
Safe for:
Methods:
Ammonia (moderate)
Your nappies smell moderately of ammonia, stronger than normal urine, similar to a toilet which hasn’t been flushed all day.
Safe for:
Methods:
Ammonia (extreme)
Your nappies smell very unpleasant, like a public urinal or cat litter box which hasn’t been cleaned.
Safe for:
Methods:
Bacterial infection: Impetigo
Nappies which have been exposed to Impetigo and require sanitisation.
Safe for:
Methods:
Bacterial infection: Listeria
Nappies which have been exposed to Listeria and require sanitisation.
Safe for:
Methods:
Bacterial infection: Salmonella
Nappies which have been exposed to Salmonella and require sanitisation.
Safe for:
Methods:
Bacterial infection: Staphylococcus
Nappies which have been exposed to Staphylococcus and require sanitisation.
Safe for:
Methods:
Coloured/ non colourfast fabrics
Fabrics such as bamboo or cotton which have been dyed or are coloured.
Safe for:
Methods:
Cold wash only
You only have access to cold water, or want to wash in cold water.
Safe for:
Methods:
Fungal infections: Candida species
Nappies which have been exposed to Candida species and require sanitisation.
Safe for:
Methods:
Fungal infection: Tinea/ Ringworm
Nappies which have been exposed to Tinea/ Ringworm and require sanitisation.
Safe for:
Methods:
I want to nuke everything I have no fear
As described, only suitable for white fabrics.
Safe for:
Methods:
Main wash only (no pre wash)
You can’t do a pre wash cycle and can only do one cycle (main wash).
Safe for:
Methods:
Mould minor (non-colourfast fabrics)
A few small patches of mould (including black and pink mould) on non-colourfast fabrics.
Safe for:
Methods:
Mould minor (white fabrics only)
A few small patches of mould (including black and pink mould) on white fabrics.
Safe for:
Methods:
Mould black (significant)
A significant amount of mould (including black Stachybotrys Chartarum mould) on white fabrics.
Safe for:
Methods:
PUL
Use this option to sanitise PUL covers.
Safe for:
Methods:
Second hand nappies (unstained/ don’t smell)
Second hand nappies which are not stained and don’t smell.
Safe for:
Methods:
Second hand nappies (moderately stained/smelly)
Second hand nappies which are moderately stained and smelly.
Safe for:
Methods:
Second hand nappies (extremely stained/ smelly)
Second hand nappies which are extremely stained and smelly.
Safe for:
Methods:
Stains (minor)
Minor oxidisable stains from food, poo, grass, blueberries, red wine, etc.
Safe for:
Methods:
Stains (moderate)
Moderate oxidisable stains from food, poo, grass, blueberries, red wine etc.
Safe for:
Methods:
Stains (significant)
Significant oxidisable stains from food, poo, grass, blueberries, red wine etc
Safe for:
Methods:
Quick reference tables
| Sanitise method | Colours* | PUL | AIOs | Whites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90/95°C sanitise cycle |
✔
|
✔
|
||
| Front loader bleach sanitise |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Top loader bleach sanitise |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Small scale bleach sanitise |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
| Sanitise application | Colours† | PUL‡ | AIOs‡ | Whites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All in One nappies |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Ammonia (mild) |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Ammonia (moderate) |
✔
|
|||
| Ammonia (extreme) |
✔
|
|||
| Bacterial infection: Impetigo |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Bacterial infection: Listeria |
✔
|
|||
| Bacterial infection: Salmonella |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Bacterial infection: Staphylococcus |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Coloured/ non colourfast fabrics |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
| Cold wash only |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Fungal infections: Candida species |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Fungal infection: Tinea/ Ringworm |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| I want to nuke everything I have no fear |
✔
|
|||
| Main wash only (no pre wash) |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Mould minor (non-colourfast fabrics) |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
| Mould minor (white fabrics only) |
✔
|
|||
| Mould black (significant) |
✔
|
|||
| PUL |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Second hand nappies (unstained/ don’t smell) |
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
|
| Second hand nappies (moderately stained/smelly) |
✔
|
|||
| Second hand nappies (extremely stained/ smelly) |
✔
|
|||
| Stains (minor) |
✔
|
|||
| Stains (moderate) |
✔
|
|||
| Stains (significant) |
✔
|
‡There is no need to run seperate wash cycles for PUL covers, AIOs and inserts if the amount of bleach is the same. For example, if you are sanitising using the "Second hand nappies (unstained/ don’t smell)" option you can wash PUL covers, AIOs and inserts together.
Fabric definitions
Colours: noncolourfast items. Coloured/ dyed items made from cotton, bamboo or hemp. Some information on prints fading? Sanitising using the top loader or small scale methods reduces the risk of fading or colour loss for these items.
PUL: Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) is a Polyester fabric with a waterproof laminate coating. It is used to make modern cloth nappy covers, AIOs, wet bags, bibs and art smocks. PUL comes in two varieties: smooth or minky. PUL is colourfast and will not fade when used with diluted bleach. PUL risks delaminating at high heat (the laminate comes away from the fabric).
AIOs: All in One nappies. These have sewn in absorbency which cannot be removed from PUL component.
Whites: white or colourfast items. Uncoloured/ undyed items made from cotton, bamboo, hemp or viscose. Polyester and microfibre items with colours are generally colourfast (??). Inserts, prefolds and terry towelling squares – the coloured stitching is colourfast.
Our Sanitise information is based on studies, microbiology and chemistry!
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chemical Disinfectants: Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008.
- K Reynolds, S Boone, K Bright, C Gerba, Occurrence of Household Mold and Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite Disinfectant, 2012.
- S. Wilson, C Wu, L Andriychuk, J Martin, T Brasel, C Jumper, D Straus, Effect of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Fungi and Mycotoxins Associated with Sick Building Syndrome, 2005.
- M Korukluoglu, Y Sahan, A Yigit, The fungicidal efficacy of various commercial disinfectants used in the food industry, 2006.
- Z Mohamad, Stachybotrys chartarum: its identification and response to antimicrobial treatment and prevention, 2018.
- Australian Federal Register of Legislation, Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 (February 16, 2021) <https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2005A00004>.
- New Zealand Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme – information for businesses (February 16, 2021) <https://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/we-all-have-role-play/choosing-water-efficient-products/water-efficiency-labelling>.