Caring for night nappies

Using cloth nappies overnight? Learn how to care for night nappies, limit the formation of ammonia and prevent smells.

Baby sleeping
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Night nappy treatment is based on the amount of urine in the nappy. They can require a little more effort to remove the heavy urine load. A good wash routine will prevent smells and ammonia.

Each night nappy needs two washes: a first wash (prewash) and a main wash. The first wash should be done on the same day it comes off the bum.

Table of contents

What counts as a night nappy

A night nappy is a nappy that has been on the bum for more than 4 hours and contains a significant amount of urine. This is usually a nappy that is worn overnight.

Dedicated night nappies have a greater absorption capacity than day nappies. Many dedicated night nappies are on the bum for 12 hours.

Washing night nappies

Adding night nappies directly into your first wash cycle (alongside day nappies and other items) saves time and makes using cloth easier.

There are three options for washing night nappies:

  • hand-wash in hot water with a small amount of laundry detergent, spin in the washing machine and dry pail until you run your first wash; or
  • add to a daily 60+ minute 60ÂșC first wash; or
  • add to a daily 45+ minute first wash, any temperature*, using bleach in addition to detergent.

* If night nappies smell after washing in cold water and chlorine bleach increase the water temperature to 40-60ÂșC.

Remember: each night nappy needs a first wash and a main wash.

The daily 60+ minute, 60ÂșC first wash option works best in front loaders. If you have a top loader you should hand-wash night nappies or add bleach to your first wash cycle to limit the formation of ammonia. Learn more about our updated night nappy recommendations.

Many children toilet train during the day and still require a nappy at night.

When people are down to one nappy a day it’s usually the night nappy. Because of the amount of wee it contains this nappy needs decent wash. This stage of nappy life is hard! There is no best process, only what is best for you and your family.

~ Anastasia, Environmental Scientist and founding Facebook group admin

Adapting your wash routine when using night nappies

We asked members what changes they made to their wash routines. Here are some of their responses.

With my first baby I increased first wash temp and time during the heaviest wetting stages. With my second baby I started using bleach in the first wash, and that meant that I could dial back the time and temp.

~Jacqueline, Australia

I’ve used night nappies from the start. First wash depends on the day. If every day currently it’s a 40ÂșC cycle with bleach and washing powder, every 2nd day its 60ÂșC. Main wash is always an intensive 60ÂșC 4ish hour cycle

~Ashley, New Zealand

We are just on night nappies now but I still prewash single night nappy. Can’t be bothered hand washing. Sometimes I just do 30 mins 60°C if not much wee… I use laundry booster in prewash.

~Kira, Australia

We’ve used night nappies from the beginning. They get a first wash for an hour at 40°C and then a good long wash on 60°C, using biological detergent. This seems to be the most efficient way for us and they can be accidentally left in the machine for a day or so and still come out smelling totally fresh.

~Aimee, United Kingdom

We’ve always used night nappies. We prewash first thing in the morning, laundry booster + detergent. Toploader so only warm wash.

~Ashlea, Australia

Do the first wash first thing in the morning. It didn’t work for me leaving it till the evening to do the first wash.

~Group member, New Zealand

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Additional information about caring for night nappies, and our updated recommendations.

Will adding the night nappy to my first wash work for me?

Front loader machines can usually run a 60ÂșC cycle.

Top loader owners need to add bleach to prewash night nappies in the washing machine.

If you are unable to run a 60ÂșC cycle and also do not want to use bleach you will need to hand wash the night nappy.
Can night nappies and day nappies be washed together?

Yes, the night nappy and all the day nappies can go into the morning or evening prewash together.

It makes the most sense for water and power use to wash all the nappies together.
Why did Clean Cloth Nappies update night nappy recommendations?

We actively look for ways to make things quicker, easier and cheaper for people so that they try cloth nappies and continue using cloth nappies.

Adding night nappies directly into your first wash cycle saves time and makes using cloth easier. We trialled this extensively before updating our advice.
My child wears a night nappy and wakes up dry, what should I do?

Night nappy treatment is based on the amount of urine in the nappy. If the nappy is dry you can:

  • add it straight in the main wash, or
  • add it to your next first wash

Keep an eye out for smells and adjust as needed.
I use a day nappy overnight, should I treat it as a night nappy?

If you use a day nappy for overnight and it’s very wet, you may still benefit from night nappy style treatment. This is not likely to be as important as it will be with dedicated night nappies that are designed to take 13 hours of urine.

Need help with your cloth nappy wash routine?

Join the Clean Cloth Nappies Facebook group, tell us about the issue, and one of our dedicated volunteers will try to help you find the solution.

Information to include with your post
  • The issue you are having
  • How often you run your first wash
  • How often you run your main wash
  • What detergent you use
  • How much detergent you use for each wash