How to wash Terry nappies

Follow this simple guide to ensure that you never run out of nappies - and that you cope with cleaning and washing them.

If you wash the nappies yourself at home, you will need to develop a system so that you don’t run out of clean nappies. It’s worth buying two nappy buckets so that you can make up a fresh batch of nappy sanitising solution every day. A full washing machine load will wash about two days’ worth of nappies.

• Each day make up a fresh batch of sanitising solution in a lidded bucket
• Shake out the nappy liner and any faeces into the loo
• Very mucky nappies can be sluiced off in the loo: hold the nappy firmly while you flush the loo and with luck much of the mess will be sluiced away
• Place the soiled nappy in the bucket
• Every other day drain the buckets (most nappy buckets have strainers on the side to make this easier)
• Wash the nappies on the longest, hottest wash possible
• Dry the nappies outside or in a tumble dryer
If you have time, it's a good idea to fold nappies into the right shape ready for use as you stack them

In some areas of the UK, you may be able to take advantage of a a nappy laundry service, which collects, washes, dries and delivers the clean nappies to your home.

Where to next?

• Find out why mum of two Ali Malone chose reusable nappies
• Cloth nappies on test
• All about nappies: choosing and changing
• Chat to other mums in the Nappy talk! discussion forum