Why use reusable nappies?
Reusable nappies save money, cut waste and mean no more smelly bins. Switching just one nappy a day keeps 365 nappies a year out of landfill.
Disposables can cost around $3,600 per child over two and a half years. With a mid-range kit of cloth nappies and washing costs, families can save around $2,500 per child, and more if the nappies are reused for another child.
Do I have to go full time?
Not at all. Many families start with one or two cloth nappies a day and build up as they find their groove. Some use cloth at home and disposables when out, or cloth by day and disposables at night. Every cloth nappy is one less in landfill.
How many cloth nappies will I need?
It depends on how many you use a day and how often you wash. As a rough guide, full-time cloth, day and night, needs around 20 to 30 nappies. If you're starting with one or two a day, a handful is plenty.
Can I use cloth nappies from birth?
Yes. Newborn-size nappies fit babies from about 1.5 to 8kg. Most one-size (OSFM or OSFA) nappies fit from about 3.5kg, so many families use newborn nappies for the first weeks, then move to one-size.
See Get the right fit for sizing guides.
Can I join a workshop or get a trial nappy?
Yes. Workshops are free and open to anyone, and the guides and tools on this website are free for everyone to use.
Some giveaways at workshops may only be for residents of the council running it, and what is on offer varies between councils. Some have a limited number of trial nappy packs, some offer a trial cloth nappy, and others give access to second-hand nappies.
Register your interest in a workshop, and ask your council what is available in your area.
How do I choose between the different types of nappy?
The best type depends on your lifestyle and budget. All-in-ones are the easiest to use, pocket nappies let you adjust absorbency, all-in-twos dry quickly, fitted nappies are the most absorbent, and pre-folds are the most affordable.
What's the difference between an all-in-two (AI2) and a pocket nappy?
Both have a waterproof shell and an absorbent insert. The difference is where the insert goes and what you wash each time.
| All-in-two (AI2) | Pocket nappy | |
|---|---|---|
| Insert | Snaps or lays on top of the shell | Stuffed inside a pocket in the shell |
| Against baby's skin | The insert | A stay-dry lining |
| At change time | Swap the insert and reuse the shell if it's clean and dry | Change the whole nappy |
| Absorbency | Add a booster on top | Add or remove inserts in the pocket |
| Drying | Fast, as the shell and insert are separate | Fast once the inserts are taken out |
| Cost | Often cheaper, as you need fewer shells | You need a shell for every change |
Is an all-in-one or an all-in-two better?
An all-in-one is the easiest to use, with no inserts to add, but it takes much longer to dry.
An all-in-two is more versatile. If only the insert is wet you can reuse the shell, and the shell can double as a swim nappy. You can also wash inserts hot and dry them in the sun without risking the shell.
Should I use sized nappies or one-size (OSFM or OSFA)?
Sized nappies can feel less overwhelming while you learn to get the fit right. One-size nappies are more cost-effective and versatile in the long run, fitting most babies from about 3.5kg to toilet training.
What should I use at night?
Nights need extra absorbency. A fitted nappy with a waterproof cover is a popular choice, or add a hemp or bamboo booster to your usual nappy. Natural fibres hold more than microfibre.
Can I use cloth nappies at daycare or with a babysitter?
Usually, yes. Many childcare centres have staff who are experienced with cloth nappies. Give clear instructions, enough clean nappies for the day and a wet bag for used ones. All-in-ones and pocket nappies are the easiest for carers.
Can I use cloth nappies while travelling?
Yes, if you'll have access to a washing machine. Pack wet bags for used nappies and enough clean nappies to last between washes.
What if I live in an apartment with limited drying space?
All-in-two or pocket nappies are a good choice, as the parts dry quickly once separated. Shells dry fast on a clothes horse, and inserts can hang on a sock rack to make the most of a small space.
Can I use nappy rash cream with cloth nappies?
Yes, with a thin cotton liner (an old sheet cut to size works well) between the cream and the nappy. Cream build-up, especially from petroleum-based creams, can stop the nappy absorbing.
My nappy is leaking. What am I doing wrong?
Most leaks come down to fit or absorbency. Check the leg elastics sit in the crease of the leg, everything is tucked inside the elastic, and there's enough absorbency for your baby.
How do I wash cloth nappies?
Tip any solids into the toilet, then store the nappy until wash day. Most routines are a short pre-wash followed by a long main wash with a cloth-friendly detergent. Always check the manufacturer's instructions, and never use fabric softener.
See Clean and maintain for a step-by-step routine.
How do I store dirty nappies until wash day?
Use a wet bag or a dry pail.
- Wet bag: a waterproof zip bag that holds in moisture and smells. Great at home or out and about.
- Dry pail: an open laundry basket with good air flow. Store nappies dry, with no water or soaking, so they can air out until wash day.
How long can I leave dirty nappies before washing?
Every two days is ideal. You can leave them up to seven days if you store them so they can dry out rather than fester, and you have a thorough wash routine.
- Let air in. Use an open laundry basket with good air flow rather than a sealed bag or lidded bucket. Damp, airless nappies are where bacteria and mould grow, while nappies that dry out stay much fresher.
- Don't pack them tight. Keep nappies loose rather than rolled up or squashed together, so they dry quickly.
- Tip solids into the toilet first.
- Wash thoroughly. The longer the gap between washes, the more important a good pre-wash and a long, hot main wash become.
Can I wash in cold water?
Yes, but you'll need to do a sanitise wash more often than if you wash warm (40 degrees) or hot (60 to 95 degrees).
What detergent should I use?
Use a detergent that's suitable for cloth nappies, following your nappy brand's advice. If your baby has sensitive skin, choose a hypoallergenic one. Skip fabric softener, as it coats the fabric and stops it absorbing.
Do I need to rinse breastfed baby poo?
No. Breastfed baby poo is water-soluble and washes out in the machine, so it can go straight into the wet bag or pail. Once your baby starts solids, tip poo into the toilet first, and a liner makes that easier.
How do I prevent and remove stains?
Remove solids promptly and give stained nappies a quick rinse. For stains that remain, dry the inserts in direct sunlight, which fades stains well. Keep shells and covers out of the sun.
How do I know if my nappies need stripping or sanitising?
If nappies smell even after washing, or liquid beads up instead of soaking in, it's time. Follow the manufacturer's instructions or use a cloth-safe sanitise solution. See Clean and maintain for how.
Can I use a shared laundry or laundromat?
Yes. Remove solids at home, then do your main wash straight after your pre-wash.
Can I use a commercial nappy wash service?
For flats and inserts, yes. Waterproof shells and covers may be damaged by commercial washing, so consider washing those at home. Botanic Baby offers a nappy wash service across Melbourne suburbs.
Does drying in the sun help?
Yes, in several ways.
- It helps kill germs. The UVA and UVB rays in sunlight damage bacteria and fungi so they can't replicate, which gives your nappies an extra sanitising boost. Research on how sunlight kills bacteria explains how UV damages their DNA and stops them multiplying. Studies have also found sunlight reduces germs, for example in household dust and on socks.
- It fades stains. Hang stained inserts in direct sun and watch the marks lighten.
- It saves energy. Line drying costs nothing to run, which is why councils encourage it over using a dryer.
- It's good for you too. A few minutes outside hanging the washing gives sleep-deprived new parents a dose of fresh air and vitamin D.
Sun drying works alongside a good wash routine rather than replacing it. Dry inserts in direct sun, and keep shells and covers out of it, as strong sun can wear the waterproof layer and elastics.
