Before first use
Before using for the first time all nappies should be washed at least three times. This is necessary for absorbency and to soften and shrink them ready for use. Wraps including Fuzzi Bunz and Stuffables, need only be washed once before use.

Storage
After use, until you wash them, nappies should be stored in a bucket with a well fitting lid. We do not sell nappy buckets because I like Mothercare's nappy pails - sadly now only available at larger Mothercare stores.

Your nappy bucket can be used with or without water in it, known as wet-pailing and dry-pailing:

Wet-pailing may prolong the life of your nappies, because it dilutes the urine; it will also help loosen stains. There is no need to add anything to the soaking water: washing at 60c in a modern machine with a good detergent will adequately sanitise nappies.

If dry-pailing I recommend a prewash, or better still a rinse (at the end of which dirty water is spun out), in your machine prior to the main wash.

Poo should be flushed down the toilet before putting nappy into bucket.

Velcro
Any Velcro must be fastened before washing. Some nappies/wraps provide a special area to pinch back Velcro, which allows the wrap to open out for washing. For other Velcro wraps and nappies, fasten the Velcro and turn item inside out to wash most effectively.

Wash temperature
For the main wash cotton nappies, Micro Inserts, and Fleece Liners should be washed at a minimum of 60 degrees. You may want to wash up to 95 degrees if baby has an infection (e.g. tummy upset or thrush etc.); but do check that the nappy can be washed at this temperature.

Nappy wraps can be washed in with ordinary washing at 40 or 60 degrees (check labels, as some should only be washed at 40). Wash Fuzzi Bunz and Stuffables at 60 degrees to adequately cleanse.

Detergent
Non-biological detergent should always be used when washing nappies and wraps. Personally I use Persil, and find that the liquid non-bio leaves things a bit softer than powder. Use only about half normal amount of detergent when washing nappies; too much can cause irritation to baby's skin and hold on to smells! Avoid using soap based products with Fuzzi Bunz, Stuffables, or Fleece liners, as soap may waterproof the fleece, causing leakage.

Fabric softener
Fabric softener should never be used, as it inhibits nappy absorbency and can damage wraps.

Bleach
Do not bleach any of the products we sell as this may damage them, and cause irritation to baby's delicate skin.

Drying
Line drying nappies is cheap, environmentally friendly, and sunlight has a natural sterilising and bleaching effect. But it can leave some nappies a bit crispy... For maximum softness tumble dry, taking the nappies out whilst still slightly damp (and hang to dry fully), as overdrying in the tumble dryer can leave nappy surface rough. Alternatively a fleece liner or Fuzzi Bunz will provide a soft layer next to baby's skin - see below. Flat nappies - terries and prefolds - can also be given a quick iron, to soften them, if you do not tumble dry.

All our wraps can be tumble dried (most on low heat only). However they will last longer if they are air dried whenever possible (away from radiators).

Liners
Fleece liners are washable and provide a soft stay-dry layer next to baby's skin (because they are made of a non-absorbent fabric the wee passes straight through them into the absorbent nappy underneath, leaving baby's skin lovely and dry). Fuzzi Bunz and Stuffables have a built in fleece liner, which helps keep wetness away from baby.

Whether to use a liner at all is a matter of personal choice, some people prefer to have the cotton nappy against baby's skin.

I personally prefer not to use flushable liners at every nappy change, as to my mind they reduce many of the benefits of using cloth nappies:

Increasing costs (approx. 2p each).
Increasing waste.
Baby still sits on layer of paper, as they would in disposable, rather than on the cloth of the nappy.
They may also increase leaks. When they are dry initially wee will not pass through them as readily as into cloth. Breastfed poo may also slide off them.

However, a flushable liner does make poo disposal a lot less messy, especially once baby has started on solid food.

Wipes
Washable wipes should be washed in with the nappies, at a temperature of at least 60 degrees.

... The Buzzness Info & Advice ...