Advice

Real nappies for beginners

Real nappies can be made of a variety of different fabrics (including terry towelling, bamboo and man-made fabrics); this fabric provides the necessary absorbency and you’ll find that generally they don’t need changing any more often than disposables.

’Shaped’ nappies are elasticated around the waist and legs giving very good containment and making them look very similar to disposable nappies. Unlike the original terry squares, ’shaped’ nappies do not require any form of folding and are very easy to put on.

Whereas disposable nappies are fastened with sticky tabs, real nappies are fastened with either velcro, poppers or ’nappi nippas’ (the modern equivalent of nappy pins but far easier, and safer, to use.

On the inside of the nappy (between the nappy and baby’s bottom) you place a ’liner’. This is a paper-based slim layer which allows for the solids to be easily removed from the nappy. You simply pick it off the nappy and throw it down the toilet leaving a relatively clean nappy, ready to be stored in a nappy bucket before washing.

On the outside of the nappy you place a waterproof wrap (fastened with velcro or poppers). The nappy itself will become damp once baby starts to wee and so this waterproof layer is needed to stop the nappy leaking out onto clothes. The wrap is very thin and doesn’t add to the bulkiness of the nappy.

How many nappies will I need?

 If you’re planning to use real nappies full time, a newborn will need between 18 and 24 nappies, plus 4 waterproof wraps, nappi nippas, nappy liners, and a bucket.


What do I do with the nappies when I receive them?

All new reusable nappies should be washed before use to increase their absorbency. A nappy will reach its maximum absorbency after about 6 washes, but it is worth washing 2-3 times as a minimum before first use. You do not need to allow the nappy to dry between washes.

Wash deep coloured nappies and white nappies separately for the first 1-2 washes to avoid colour run.

It is advisable to wash waterproof wraps (wrappers) before their first use to be sure that they are thoroughly clean.

What do I do with soiled nappies?

If you are using biodegradable flushable liners you simply remove the liner and the poo, as one, and flush them down the toilet. If there is any poo remaining on the nappy itself, this can either be scraped off or sluiced in the toilet. Please note that not all biodegradable liners are flushable; as a precaution, even flushable liners should only be flushed one at a time. 

Note that most flushable liners, if just wet, can be rinsed through, dried and used again.

Wet-only liners can be composted.

If you are using a washable nappy liner, hold the liner over the toilet and the majority of the poo will simply fall off into the toilet. More stubborn soiling can be removed by sluicing the liner in the toilet. Due to the watery consistency of newborn baby poo (especially with breastfed babies) the liners can be washed without removing the poo first - the poo will wash out during the wash cycle.

Washable nappy liners should be placed in the nappy bucket with the nappies.

Liners, both washable and flushable, can be wetted and used as wipes. Washable fleece wipes are a great cheap and green alternative to commercial baby wipes.

How do I store dirty nappies?

Washable nappies are stored in a lidded nappy bucket. They can either be soaked or stored dry (‘dry-pailing’); this is a wholly personal decision – try both and see which you prefer.

If ‘dry-pailing’, once you’ve removed the majority of the poo, then simply put your nappies straight into your nappy bucket. A few drops of tea-tree oil or lavender oil in the bottom of the bucket, or on a piece of fabric inside the bucket, will keep it smelling fresh. When dry-pailing, a mesh bag will help when transferring the nappies to the washing machine.

If soaking, half-fill the nappy bucket with water and add a few drops of tea-tree oil (a natural antiseptic and disinfectant ).


Commercial nappy sanitisers (such as Onelife Pure Nappy sanitiser) can also be used for soaking, or they can be added to the washing machine with your usual detergent.

How do I wash my nappies?

When you are ready to wash (generally when the nappy bucket is full or after a maximum of 3 days), place the nappies in the washing machine. If ’dry pailing’, a mesh bag contained within the bucket will make transferring the nappies easier - but make sure that the bag is left open so that the nappies can be released into the wash! If you’ve soaked your nappies it’s often a good idea to place a towel on the floor by the door of the washing machine to catch any drips as you transfer the nappies.

Wash at 60º using non-biological washing powder. You will only need a very small amount of washing powder (a third of the recommended amount) as it is the high temperature of the wash that sanitises the nappies rather than the detergent. Using too much detergent will simply make your nappies stiff and the build up of residues may lead to nappy rash. If you can see soap suds in the machine during the final rinse, then you have used too much powder.

You should avoid fabric conditioner as this can affect the absorbency of the nappies and may lead to skin irritations. A little white vinegar (1-2 tbsp) in the conditioner compartment during the last rinse will help keep the nappies soft and will prevent odours.

You can place other washing in with the nappies to avoid operating the machine on a half load. Include sheets, babygros etc in the wash.

If your real nappies have aplix (velcro), it is important to fold the tabs back on themselves, otherwise the nappies will stick to each other and to other garments in the wash.

Always wash according to manufacturer washing instructions.

How do I clean my waterproof wraps?

 Waterproof wraps (wrappers) do not have to be washed after every use. Unless a nappy has become very wet, or the wrap has become soiled, it should only need changing after every 2-3 uses. Most wraps can be washed in the machine at a maximum of 60°C, although wherever possible it is best to wash by hand as continued machine washing will accelerate deterioration of the fabric.

It is best to avoid soaking the wraps.

Wraps dry quickly and are best dried naturally. To avoid damaging the waterproof coating, avoid hanging them directly on radiators and do not wring them.

See manufacturers instructions.

How do I dry my nappies?

Reusable nappies can be dried either on the line, in a tumble drier, over an airer or in the airing cupboard.

The cheapest and most environmentally friendly option is to dry nappies on the line. This will maximise the life of your nappies, while the sunshine will deodorise, sanitise and naturally bleach them. Even when dried on the line it is good to give them a quick blast in the tumble drier (if you have one) as this will help soften the nappies.

Putting a clean dry towel in the tumble drier with your nappies will reduce the amount of time it takes to dry them, as it will absorb some of the condensation.

Dry on a low-medium heat. Try to avoid drying bamboo nappies on a high heat as it can alter the texture of the fabric and may prevent the effective use of Nappi Nippas.

Always ensure that nappies are thoroughly dry before being stored away.

Always tumble dry according to manufacturer instructions.

How do I ensure the nappies don’t leak?

The most important thing is to ensure that the nappy fits well. Make sure that the nappy and liner are thoroughly tucked into the wrap otherwise the dampness from the nappy will wick out onto clothes. The outer wrap should be snug but should not be so tight that it leaves red marks on the tummy or legs. If you do find any redness you either need to adjust the wrap or move up to the next size.

How do I use the Nappi Nippa? 

Nappi Nippas are the equivalent of the old nappy pin, but are a lot easier, and safer, to use. You’ll see on the back of the nippa that it has a series of little ’claws’; these will simply hook into the fabric of the nappy.

To put them on, you simply hold the nappy in place with one hand, hook one claw into the fabric on one side, hold the tension and pull across to allow the second claw to hook into place on the other side. Then pull the lower claw and hook into place. Once in position, pull back gently on each ring to check that each of the fastenings are secure. A correctly positioned nippa will form a ’Y’ shape.