Some questions about cloth nappy use..

[blessedatlast]

I am using MCN's as well as terry flats. I have done it on the cheap and bought e bay nappies, 2nd hand nappies as well as some new one's and of course inserts and wetbags..

I am now about to buy some rockin green and a nappy sprayer similar to a little squirt which is about to set me back ANOTHER $75!!!!

By the time you add all this, plus the extra water, hot water for strip washes etc, do you really save money??

I know people use cloth nappies for the environment, but I was doing it to save money! TBH I feel I have just spent spent spent!!

Also - How often do you wash in hot water? I am in a place where electricity and water is included so I am conservative with the washing machine use. I don't like to use the hot water.

Are strip washes necessary and how often?

How do you care for your MCN's generally?

TIA

[Babyluv]

Have you spent $3000 because I was told it's close to that from birth to TT. MCN save you heaps hun

[LuluHB]

It does seem really expensive to start but I really think you save money in the long run, especially if you can use some OSFA so you're not constantly having to update your stash.

I used the "everyday 40 degree" wash on my machine so its not too bad for electricity. You'll find if you use hot washes the pul covers will deteriorate more quickly. I used to take a dirty/wet one off a bottom, give it a quick cold rinse and then chuck it in a bucket. I had both girls in cloth so was doing a wash every second day. TBH I never had to do a strip wash - don't know if I was just lucky with lighter wetters, choice of nappy or what

HTH

[OceanPrincess]

Hey lovely

I've never used rocking green. Couldn't see the attraction. My nappies are onto child #2 and still going strong just with being washed with Omo.

I also rarely do hot washes - 99% of the time it would be cold. That is by choice but also the hot tap in our house that we moved into 12mths ago isn't working in the laundry so we went and just always wash in cold.

I've also never used a little squirt. I use liners but if they are really bad, I flush them in the loo - sort of hold the top of the nappy and let the loo flush over the soiled part. Works a treat.

But with little man just being on BM, I don't see that you'd need a LS or liners yet.

Trust me - once you get yourself set up, you will see the financial rewards.

Oh and I've strip washed maybe half a dozen times in my nappying life and DD is 3!

[OceanPrincess]

Have you spent $3000 because I was told it's close to that from birth to TT. MCN save you heaps hun

What the

Don't think I spent that much!!! Or maybe I have...

[Ambersky]

My nappy stash is pretty big.. i have pretty ones and special NB ones, but they have done both of my girls and only one or two have ever 'died' there is no way i have got anywhere near the 5-7k might have cost (i would only have bought degradable ones and they are exxy) and the stash is in the cupboard for babe 3. Just think with sposies every.single.change is 25-50c in the bin...and landfill.
I know the set up cost is frustrating, but once you are set.. its all done, except the Rockin green maybe but its awesome stuff.. and the sprayer holds some value, you can sell it on when you are done.

[wysiwyg]

Hey lovely

I've never used rocking green. Couldn't see the attraction. My nappies are onto child #2 and still going strong just with being washed with Omo.

I also rarely do hot washes - 99% of the time it would be cold. That is by choice but also the hot tap in our house that we moved into 12mths ago isn't working in the laundry so we went and just always wash in cold.

I've also never used a little squirt. I use liners but if they are really bad, I flush them in the loo - sort of hold the top of the nappy and let the loo flush over the soiled part. Works a treat.

But with little man just being on BM, I don't see that you'd need a LS or liners yet.

Trust me - once you get yourself set up, you will see the financial rewards.

Oh and I've strip washed maybe half a dozen times in my nappying life and DD is 3!

Pretty much the same here - generally wash in cold, haven't done that many strip washes, don't have a little squirt (we have a poo spoon), have not used liners.

[HotI]

ditto - especially with breastmilk poos. cold washes, normal wash powder, rarely strip wash, no liners.

[Charlotte91]

My MCNs have lost their waterproofing so we use PVC covers (long story).
We also wash in warm water, but that's our choice. Probably will switch to cold once we move to our own place.

I've never strip washed, I just use Omo.

Also, we've always used liners (just the homebrand ones) because it makes DD feel a bit dryer. We don't throw them out everytime if she just has a pee, we wash them with the nappies. They last a few washes. If they are poopy, they go down the toilet.
It saves alot of stains and trying to rinse poop off the nappy.

[willow5]

I only ever washed in cold water, unless doing a strip wash. I did a strip wash when the nappies weren't as absorbent as usual, or got a bit stinky. Maybe every 4-6months.
I used either 1/2 amount of normal washing liquid/powder each wash, or soap nuts were really good, and bicarb did a great job too. Can't recommend enough sun, sun and a bit more sun I had a little squirt, well the DP home made Bunnings version ($45) loved it, couldn't have done with out it!

Once the initial outlay is done, not forking out every week or fortnight for disposables will save you heaps. And those fluffy bum are soooo cute

[blessedatlast]

Ok good.. You have stopped me from making my purchase lol.. I am currently using some sort of eco detergent so i think that will do and a little squirt can wait til later...

I just got caught up in all the info on the MCN sites.. They make you think if you don't do all this stuff the nappies wont last..

OP - I thought of just rinsing nappies in the loo but I use bloo loo so not sure if it would stain..

Does everyone here dry pail?? Also do you wash inserts and MCN's together? I have some nice MCN's and I washed them with terry flats and liners and now there's fluff all over them Grrr... I have decided I will wash the terry flats separate but what about the microfibre inserts? Do they leave fluff?

[OceanPrincess]

Errr yeah maybe not with the bloo loo That'd make your nappies all nice and pretty and blue!

Yep, dry pail. Cheap as, get one from Bunnings.

I generally wash all mine at once, but my terry flats are so flat now they don't leave fluff on anything. I don't think microfibre would leave fluff... not sure sorry!

Yeah there is a lot of hype on the MCN websites, just take it one step at a time and you'll figure out what to do!

ETA: definitely agree - only use half or less the amount of powder recommended... I use maybe a quarter or less of a scoop.

[leckert]

Dry pail here

I didn't have any trouble with inserts or flats being washed with fluffy outers - had trouble the time I washed with a bath mat which accidentally got pooed. Also had issues when I tried washing reusable liners.
I used flats as an extra layer/cover in the change table (and they're the pretty coloured ones); still use them on DS's bed as a change area (he refused to use the change table soon after he turned one so we swapped to a flat on the bed - hates being up high at childcare to get a clean bum there too)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so sorry if I'm confusing you

[starangelk]

Dry pail here too. No hot washes except for a strip wash which happens once every few months. What size is your little man fitting?

[sepata]

Yep I dry pail, picked up a cheapie bucket from kmart. If I use washing powder I use a quarter scoop of Eco store in a cold wash and then I hang them in the sun, I love the sun! I don't use Terry flats but I do know that Terry towelling causes microfleece to pill, learnt that the hard way.


Excuse my sucky spelling, I'm on my iPhone

[willow5]

I dry pailed and washed everything together except terry flats. I don't think I'd risk bloo loo on the mcns. You could alwways go the trusty poo spoon I had a poo spoon with DS1&2 way back in the day. Didn't know of such wonder as a little squirt then But the spoon stayed in the laundry and was different to the normal desert spoons etc in the kitchen, strictly a poo spoon

[blessedatlast]

It appears I have an addiction. I should be in bed but no.... I am buying nappies. Can't resist a bargain!!!!

[willow5]

It appears I have an addiction. I should be in bed but no.... I am buying nappies. Can't resist a bargain!!!!

Hahaha it happens fluffy mail is so exciting!!!