Caring for your Bare Cub cloth nappies is similar to caring for many others on the market: most rules for washing your cloth nappies are universal. It is also a matter of individual preference.
Below is a guide to what we recommend you do - with a few rules of what not to do. Overtime you will develop your own way and work out what works for your child.
First Use
There are many options for preparing your cloth nappies for first use. It's very important that your nappies have been thoroughly washed before they are worn for the first time.
Your fabrics will become more absorbent over their first few washes. To maximise the absorbency you should prepare your nappies. Firstly, put the two bamboo fleece inserts in the laundry tub, or a bucket of hot water from the tap. Soak them overnight. Then in the morning, wash the inserts and covers on a normal wash cycle with a rinse. The cycle temperature should be 30-40 degrees (max 60 for inserts only). Use a full dose of detergent as specified on the detergent instructions.
If you choose not to soak overnight, that is fine. It will take a few washes for your nappies to reach their most absorbent state, but they are still very useable after their first wash. Just keep in mind that they may not last as long on your child for their first few uses.
Hang your nappies in the sun, and wait for them to dry.
Ongoing Use
1. Wash your cloth nappies on a cycle of 30-40 degrees, inserts only can go up to 60 degrees if required, with the recommended amount of detergent. Ensure your detergent does not have softeners or bleaching agents. Be sure to follow the instructions on your detergent. Use a full dose and the recommended temperature wash for your detergent.
2. Do a rinse at the end to help remove any extra detergent or leftover waste still in your nappies.
3. Hang your nappies in the sun.
4. Do not leave nappies longer than 48 hours before completing a full wash on them. Nappies left soiled longer than 48 hours will not be covered under warranty for signs of deterioration. If your nappies do not look clean or develop smells we recommend changing your detergent, washing on a warm cycle, using more detergent and ensuring there is enough water being used in the cycle. Many front loaders do not add enough water to the cycle. Be aware that nappies showing signs of stains and poor wash will not be covered by warranty as this is considered inadequate care.
Using the Dryer
Don't put your covers in the dryer
Depending on where you live, or the inevitable wet and cold of winter, you may need to use a dryer for your inserts. Although, we recommend you avoid it as much as possible.
if you must use the dryer make sure you take the following into account.
- Inserts can go into the dryer, even on a hotter setting. You may even want to throw your inserts in for ten minutes after a day of drying to make sure they are really as dry as possible.
- Nappy covers/shells should not be placed in the dryer. This will void your warranty
Extend the life of your Bare Cubs
What can you do to extend the life of your nappies?
1. Rinse nappies immediately after use to dilute the urine in them. Your child's wee will eat at the fabric and elastics, overtime eroding your fabrics.
2. Do not wash them on hot or put the shells in the dryer. Heat will erode the elastics and effect the waterproofing on your nappy shell. Putting them in the dryer also puts extra strain on the nappies as they are pulled at and tossed around. once again stretching your elastics. (N.B you can put your inserts in the dryer, see above)
3. Have a larger collection. More nappies shares the wear and tear. Washing them less often will make your stash of nappies last longer as a whole. Consider if you had a t-shirt or a pair of pants you wore and washed every second day for two years. thats 365 times through the wash and thousands of hours sitting in the sun to dry. It would be in a terrible state after two years. Reducing the number of washes by 1/3 or 1/2 will mean your nappies will stay looking great for longer and are more likely to last out to toilet training.
4. Follow our washing instructions. The wrong process of cleaning the nappies has the potential to drastically reduce their useful life. The washing process can add a lot of wear to nappies
What to avoid
- Never use bleach
- Do not soak your cloth nappies after their initial use, ongoing soaking reduces their life
- Do not use fabric softener, it will make your nappies work less effectively
- Do not use zinc based creams without a nappy liner. Creams will block the fabric and reduce absorbency.
Alternatively, there are lots of options on the market for creams that will easily wash out of your nappies.
If you have any questions regarding the care of your premium cloth nappies, please just contact us at info@babybarenappies.co.uk or click on the contact us link located at the bottom of our website, we check this twice daily.