All you need to know about cloth nappies

Cloth Nappies has been around for many many years, and most of us remember them as being ugly and very hard work. As the years went by Modern Cloth Nappies became extremely popular due to the fact that they are beautiful, a huge money saver and great for the environment. Gone are the days of struggling with old cloth nappies or leaking and earth damaging disposable nappies. 
Modern Cloth Nappies are 100% healthy for baby and your days of bum rashes are to the minimum as Cloth Nappies rarely causes bum rash.
Modern Cloth Nappies are extremely absorbent and don't require regular changes as disposables does. Baby can go 3-4 hours with dry bums in a Modern Cloth Nappy.
The myth about Cloth Nappies being hard work is just that, a myth. Using Cloth Nappies are as easy as using disposable nappies. They come off the bum, into the wet bag and into the washing machine. One wash later and your cloth nappy is ready to be used again.

Modern cloth nappies have come a long way from the bulky, leaky ones of the past. Today's cloth nappies are stylish, comfortable, and easy to use. They also offer a range of benefits for eco-conscious parents who want to reduce their environmental impact while saving money. One of the biggest advantages of cloth nappies is that they are reusable, which means less waste going to landfill. They are also made from natural materials, such as organic cotton or bamboo, which are gentle on a baby's delicate skin. In addition, cloth nappies are more cost-effective in the long run, as they can be used for multiple children or resold after use. Overall, while cloth nappies require a bit of research and effort, the benefits they offer make them a worthwhile investment for any parent.

If you're new to cloth nappies, it can be overwhelming to navigate all the options available. In this article, we'll break down the different types of modern cloth nappies and help you choose the best one for your baby.

1. All-in-one (AIO) nappies: These nappies are the closest to disposable nappies in terms of convenience. They consist of a waterproof outer layer and an absorbent inner layer, both sewn together. AIO nappies are easy to use and require no folding or stuffing. They're also less bulky than some other types of cloth nappies, making them a good choice for on-the-go parents.
2. Pocket nappies: These nappies have a waterproof outer layer and a soft, absorbent inner layer that's stuffed with inserts. The inserts can be made of different materials, such as microfiber or bamboo, and can be adjusted to suit your baby's needs. Pocket nappies are easy to use and can be customized for maximum absorbency.
3. All-in-two (AI2) nappies: These nappies consist of a waterproof cover and a snap-in absorbent insert. The inserts can be changed as needed, while the cover can be reused multiple times. AI2 nappies are versatile and can be customized to suit your baby's needs. They're also more cost-effective than AIO nappies, as you can buy additional inserts without having to buy new covers.
4. Fitted nappies: These nappies are made entirely of absorbent material, such as cotton or bamboo, and require a separate waterproof cover. Fitted nappies offer excellent absorbency and are a good choice for heavy wetters or overnight use. They're also very soft and comfortable for your baby.
5. Prefold/Preflat nappies: These nappies consist of a rectangular piece of absorbent material that's folded into thirds and placed inside a waterproof cover. Prefold nappies are an affordable option and can be customized for maximum absorbency. They're also very versatile and can be used as burp cloths or changing mats.

When choosing a cloth nappy, it's important to consider your baby's size and shape, as well as their level of wetness. It's also important to choose nappies made of high-quality materials that are easy to care for. With so many different types of modern cloth nappies available, there's sure to be one that's perfect for your baby.

At Bamboo Splash we want our clients to experience all there is to cloth nappies, thus we have a wide range of different nappy types.

1. All-In-One (AIO) Nappies:

• AIO Velvet: Made with super soft velour textile inner layer and a waterproof PUL outer fabric to ensure that baby stays dry. Our AIO Velvet nappy is a bit different from other brands for the fact that it is easy to use and has amazing absorbency, which is perfect to use as a night nappy or for medium-heavy wetter's. It has a sewn-in soaker made from 3 Layers Bamboo Cotton and a snap closure insert made from 3 Layers Bamboo Cotton and 1 Layer Valor. Valor is a soft stretchy fabric providing great comfort for baby. Bamboo Cotton is known for its absorbency powers and is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. Perfect fit with strong rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and keep the diaper in place all the time. This nappy is suitable for babies 3-15kg.
• AIO Hybrid: The best night time and heavy wetter nappy with so much flexibility to suit all your needs. It comes with a sewn in 2 layer microfiber insert, a snap in 2 layer bamboo cotton and 2 layer microfiber blend insert. It also has a large pocket opening to give you the flexibility of adding extra inserts. It features double gussets at the legs for extra leakage protection, and to top it all of it is lined with a super soft valor material for an extra soft feeling against baby's bum. This nappy is suitable for babies 5-18kg (This is our number one recommendation for heavy wetters.)
• AIO Flaps: Made with a suede stay dry inner layer and a waterproof PUL outer fabric to ensure that baby stays dry. This is the easiest AIO you will ever use! It has a sewn-on insert made from 2 layers bamboo cotton and 2 layers microfiber as well as another sewn-on insert made from 2 layers bamboo cotton 2 layers microfiber and 1 layer suede, that is 9 layers of absorbency! Bamboo cotton is known for its absorbency powers and is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. When laying your nappy open in front of you, the one insert will be sewn on the bottom and the other one on the top. When you are putting on the nappy, make sure that you place the insert on the top closest to baby's bum, this is because the suede layer of the insert as moisture wicking properties and will keep baby's bum dry. Perfect fit with strong rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and keep the diaper in place all the time. This nappy is suitable for babies 4-15kg.

2. Pocket Nappies:

Pocket cloth nappies are a popular choice among parents who are looking for a convenient and cost-effective alternative to disposable nappies. Pocket nappies consist of two layers of fabric, with a gap or "pocket" between them where an absorbent insert can be placed. This design allows for customization of absorbency levels, making them suitable for babies of all sizes and ages. One of the main benefits of pocket nappies is their versatility. The absorbent inserts can be easily swapped out for heavier or lighter options, depending on the baby's needs. Another advantage of pocket nappies is their style. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns, making them a stylish choice for parents who want to add a pop of colour to their baby's wardrobe. They also have a trim fit, which means they are less bulky than other types of cloth nappies. When it comes to care, pocket nappies are relatively easy to clean. The inserts can be removed before washing, and the nappies themselves can be machine-washed and line-dried.

• Pocket Suede: Made with breathable suede cloth textile inner layer. Suede is a synthetic fabric which wicks away moisture from the bum, keeping baby dry and comfortable. The moisture passes through the fabric but not back (unless insert is extremely wet). Perfect fit with strong rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and keep the diaper in place all the time. The PUL outer fabric ensures that baby stays dry. It is easy to wash and dry's fast. This nappy is suitable for babies 3-15kg.
• Pocket AWJ (Athletic-Wicking Jersey): The inner layer of these nappies is made from athletic wicking jersey material, which is a high-performance fabric that is designed to wick away moisture and keep the baby's skin dry. This material is also very soft and comfortable, making it a great choice for babies with sensitive skin due to it's a faster absorbency rate along with great anti-bacterial features. It gives a perfect fit with strong double rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and to keep the diaper in place at all times. The PUL outer fabric ensures that baby stays dry. It is easy to wash and dry's super-fast even on rainy days. This nappy is suitable for babies 3-15kg.
• Pocket Coffee Fiber: Made with natural coffee fibre textile inner layer which has a faster absorbency rate along with great anti-bacterial and anti-microbial features. It is a soft and breathable fabric which wicks away moisture from the bum, keeping baby dry and comfortable. Perfect fit with strong double rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and keep the diaper in place at all times. The PUL outer fabric ensures that baby stays dry. Double gussets featuring 3-D anti-leak prevention. They are easy to wash and dry's fast. This nappy is suitable for babies 3-15kg.
• Large AWJ Pocket: Made with a Graphene & Soft Mesh inner layer which has a faster absorbency rate along with great anti-bacterial features. It is a soft and breathable fabric which wicks away moisture from the bum, keeping baby dry and comfortable. Perfect fit with strong double rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and keep the diaper in place. The soft PUL outer fabric ensures that baby stays dry and comfortable. Soft leg elastic design. They are easy to wash and dry's fast. This nappy is suitable for babies 5-18kg.
• XL Pocket: These nappies are perfect for bigger babies. Made with breathable suede cloth textile inner layer which is a synthetic fabric which wicks away moisture from the bum, keeping baby dry and comfortable. The moisture passes through the fabric but not back (unless insert is extremely wet). Perfect fit with strong rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip to avoid wing droop and keep the diaper in place. Double pocket openings for easy stuffing. 3-D anti-leak prevention with double gussets. The PUL outer fabric ensures that baby stays dry. They are easy to wash and dry's fast. Suitable for babies 6-20kg.

3. Covers:

• Minky PUL Cover: The cover is only made with a PUL fabric outer layer with an extra PUL layer inside. Super soft minky valor suede material covers the leg elastics, making them super soft and comfortable on your babies legs and waist. These covers are also lined with double gussets, improving the fit and helping with leakage prevention. This type of nappy should be lined with a tri-fold or prefold insert. It can also be used over a nappy type called "flats", which is a piece of material folded in a certain shape and put on the bum, using nappy fasteners in the front. (This is the typical "old-school" cloth nappy usage that we all grown up with.) Suitable for babies 3-20kg.
• Regular PUL Cover: Covers are only made out of PUL fabric and does not have an inner lining. This type of nappy should be lined with a tri-fold or prefold insert. It can also be used over a nappy type called "flats", which is a piece of material folded in a certain shape and put on the bum, using nappy fasteners in the front. (This is the typical "old-school" cloth nappy usage that we all grown up with.) Suitable for babies 3-17kg.

4. Preflats:

Preflats are a perfect combination of flats and prefolds. Our preflats are made with 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex, giving you the softest, stretchiest and most comfortable preflat you will ever feel! The preflat dries almost as fast as a flat yet is easier to put on baby! It is the perfect combination of a stretch flat and a prefold! They hug the bum perfectly and are great to use at anytime. Booster Inserts are required when using a preflat. Recommended booser inserts: Hemp, Bamboo Cotton, Coffee Fiber or Prefold. Simply lay a hemp cotton insert/prefold inside with a bamboo cotton/coffee fiber insert on top of the hemp, close your side flaps and your are ready to go. You will close the front with a Snappi nappy fastner. Size: 45x45cm.

5. Newborn Nappies:

• Newborn AIO Velvet: Made with super soft velour textile inner layer and a waterproof PUL outer fabric to ensure that baby stays dry. Our AIO newborn nappy is the closest nappy you will get to a disposable, you can just use it as is (no snapping or stuffing of nappies).  It has a sewn-in soaker made from 2 Layers Microfiber and 1 Layers Bamboo Cotton. Velour is a soft stretchy fabric providing great comfort for baby. Bamboo Cotton is known for its absorbency powers and is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. This nappy is suitable for babies newborn - 6kg.
• Newborn AIO Hybrid: Made with Grey Quick Dry suede cloth to keep baby comfortable and a waterproof PUL outer fabric to ensure that baby stays dry. Our All in One Hybrid Newborn Nappy is the most versitle nappy you will get, as it can be used as is or stuffed with extra inserts to suit your needs. It has a sewn-in soaker made from 2 Layers Microfiber and an extra pocket opening for more inserts. They are also made with double gussets to maintain the newborn runny poop a bit better. Perfect fit with strong rows of snaps plus extra snaps on the hip will avoid wing drop and keep the diaper in place. This nappy is suitable from newborn - 6/7kg.
• Newborn Velcro Pocket Suede: Made from an outer layer water-resistant TPU and an inner layer breathable suede material. The velcro waist closure mimics a disposable nappy, making them super easy to put on and take off, while the rise snaps will give you a perfect fit. Featuring double gussets for a secure fit and leakage protection. These nappies comes with a 4 layer bamboo terry insert. Suitable for babies 2.5–7kg.
• Newborn Cover: Covers are only made out of PUL fabric and does not have an inner lining. This type of nappy should be lined with a tri-fold or prefold insert. It can also be used over a nappy type called "flats", which is a piece of material folded in a certain shape and put on the bum, using nappy fasteners in the front. (This is the typical "old-school" cloth nappy usage that we all grown up with.) Size:13 x 18.5 cm. Suitable for babies 3-8kg.

Introducing our Cloth Nappy Inserts and Liners, the perfect solution for parents who want an eco-friendly and sustainable option for their little ones. Our inserts and liners are made from high-quality, absorbent materials that are gentle against your baby's delicate skin. They are designed to be used with any cloth nappy cover, providing customizable absorbency that can be tailored to your baby's needs. Our inserts and liners are easy to use and maintain, making them a practical and cost-effective choice for conscious parents. They are also reusable, reducing waste and saving you money in the long run. Our Cloth Nappy Inserts and Liners come in a variety of materials, including bamboo, hemp, coffee fiber, cotton, terry and AWJ, so you can choose the perfect option for your baby. They are also available in a range of sizes, making them suitable for babies of all ages.

1. Bamboo Cotton Insert:

• Made from 2 Layers Bamboo Cotton and 2 Layers Microfiber with a silky soft feeling.
• High capacity hold of about 200ml with low leakage properties and a slightly slower absorption rate.
• This insert can be used with pockets or covers and is safe to place against baby's bum.
• 13.5cm x 35cm

2. Coffee Fiber Insert:

• Made from 2 Layers Coffee Fiber and 2 Layers Microfiber.
• Coffee fiber has great breathable, antibacterial and hypoallergenic material.
• It has a high capacity hold of about 220ml with low leakage properties and a super fast absorption rate.
• This insert also dry's fast even on rainy days.
• 13.5cm x 35cm

3. AWJ Bamboo Insert:

• Made from 2 Layers Graphene and 3 Layers Bamboo Cotton.
• Graphene is a breathable, antibacterial and hypoallergenic material.
• It has a high capacity hold of about 220ml with low leakage properties and a fast absorption rate.
• This insert also dry's fast even on rainy days.
• With sewn-in elastics it also ensures a secure in your nappy and and thus a better fit around baby.

4. Hemp Cotton Insert:

• Made from 3 Layers Hemp Cotton.
• Antimicrobial & Antibacterial properties. Hemp will get softer and more absorbent with each wash.
• It has a good capacity hold of about 130ml with low leakage properties and a slightly slower absorption rate.
• Place furthest away from baby's bum, below other inserts. It will absorb all excess wetness from the inserts on top of it, preventing the nappy from leaking.
• 13.5cm x 35cm

5. Bamboo Terry Insert:

• Made from 4 Layers Bamboo Terry.
• Great Antimicrobial and Antibacterial properties.
• Breathable and Hypoallergenic.
• It has a high capacity hold of about 150ml with low leakage properties and a slightly slower absorption rate.
• This is a great booster insert for heavy wetters,
• 13.5cm x 35cm

6. 100% Cotton Prefold:

• When folded you will have a total of 14 Layers of 100% cotton.
• It has a high capacity hold of about 150ml with low leakage properties and a high absorption rate.
• This insert can be used in a pocket or cover diaper and is safe against baby's bum.

Bamboo Splash Cloth Nappies & Inserts should be washed before being used for the first time. This helps to increase the the absorbency  of the inserts. After about 3 washes the bamboo inserts will have achieved their full absorbency capacity. Hemp, cotton and coffee fleece inserts may need more washes to achieve their full absorbency. 

Dirty Nappy Storage Steps:

1. Remove Nappy from baby, flush away disposable liner or rinse of fleece liner.
2. Remove inserts from pocket nappies.
3. Place nappies in wash / XL-wet bag / washing basket until wash day. Make sure to place nappies in a dry basket / wet bag where the nappies will get some air to breath, do not soak nappies in water until wash day, this will damage the nappies.

Nappy Washing Routine:

1. Nappies should be washed in cold water, below 40 degrees Celsius. 
2. Do 1 rinse cycle followed by a spin cycle to rinse the nappies from urine build up.
3. After the rinse and spin cycles have been completed add your detergent and run a long cold wash cycle. NEVER USE FABRIC SOFTNER SUCH AS STAY SOFT OR 2-IN-1 DETERGENTS. Detergent pods such as Arial & Omo is NOT safe to use.
Always follow our nappy care and washing instructions. We know our nappies better than any nappy blogger and influencer. When in doubt about what to do, ask us at any time! We are here for you. Our nappies will last you a lot longer when following our instructions. 
4. Drying nappies:
Once inserts come out of the washing machine pull them in their right form and size, this will help your inserts stay in a good condition.
Nappies and Inserts can be line-dried or tumble-dried. Should you choose to tumble dry your nappies, be sure to place the tumble dryer on  low heat, medium-high heat will cause the PUL fabric on the outside to delaminate and the elastics could stretch.Should you choose to tumble dry your inserts place the tumble dryer on low-medium heat, do not tumble dry for more than 20 minutes. You may place a towel or dryer balls into the tumble dryer with your inserts to increase the drying time. Should the nappies still be wet after 20 minutes, let them dry on the line or in the sun. Although tumble drying will leave your nappies nice and soft, too much tumble drying may shorten the lifespan of your nappies, pocket nappies and covers will dry very fast on the line as the PUL is water resistant and the inside cloth is made to wick away moisture. All-in-One's and All-in-Two's will take a bit longer to line dry.We will always recommend you to line dry your nappies. Hang the nappies with the inside fabric facing the sun (color/printed outside should be facing away from the sun). The sun is an amazing source of stain remover and bacteria killer.
Do not leave nappy covers in direct sunlight, there is no lining to protect the PUL against the heat of the sun.
Tip: Hang the nappies horizontally to retain the stretch of the elastics.

Preparing my nappies:

Synthetic Fibers: A good rule of thumb is that synthetic fibers such as Microfiber, Polyester, PUL and Charcoal Bamboo Fleece only need one wash to reach it's full absorption capacity and is then ready for use.

Natural Fibers: Natural Fibers such as Cotton, Bamboo Fiber and Hemp needs several washes to reach its maximum absorption capacity. 

Here is a quick suggestion guide to help you.

• PUL Pockets and Covers = 1 wash
• AIO = 2-3 washes
• Inserts = 3-5 washes

Not all laundry detergents are safe to use with cloth nappies. Especially not the 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 types and as you know by now, no type of fabric softeners! The reason being that it contains methylisothiazolinone, this is what will cause a waxy coating on your inserts and nappies that can interfere with the moisture wicking qualities and absorption properties, hence preventing them from absorbing to their full potential and damaging the PUL.

We recommend any normal washing powder or liquid. Here is a list of most commonly used detergents with cloth nappies:

• Ariel auto liquid 
• Ariel auto powder
• Bio Classic liquid  
• Bio Classic powder
• Earthsap laundry liquid
• Earthsap laundry powder
• Omo auto liquid
• Omo auto powder
• Woolworths auto laundry liquid 
• Woolworths earth friendly liquid

If you are looking for a Baby Detergent Specifically designed for cloth nappies we would recommend Blom Baba or Pokkelokkie detergent.

This is a process designed to remove build-up and residues from your cloth nappies.

When/how often do I need to strip?
 
There is no need to strip your nappies as part of your regular routine. It shouldn't be part of your preventative maintenance; if you find you need to strip your nappies regularly it is an indication that something is wrong with your washing routine. 

Nappies only need to be stripped in the following circumstances: 

 > Nappies smell when they come out of the wash or as soon as they're peed in. Clean nappies should smell like nothing. If they smell it means they have an ammonia (urine) build-up and they aren't getting cleaned properly. It is recommended to strip your nappies and then adjust your wash routine to ensure your nappies get cleaned properly going forward. 

> Nappies bought pre-loved. It's generally a good idea to strip them before use, just to make sure that they are properly cleaned and not harboring any nasties.

> Baby has a yeast nappy rash/thrush. Cloth nappies will need to be treated to prevent reinfection. Refer to our page on thrush for more information here.

> Nappies that leak. Note stripping is usually the last resort, after other troubleshooting options have been tried/addressed, e.g. check that the fit is correct, add extra absorbency, change more frequently etc. If nappies still leak after everything else has been checked, it usually indicates a build-up issue. Build-up is likely if you've used softeners (e.g. sta-soft) or washed with laundry soap (vs detergent, e.g. Sunlight bar soap) and didn't add an after-wash rinse to your cycle.

How to strip my nappies

1. Do a regular wash cycle with detergent. (You don’t have to let them dry). (To strip your nappies they have to be clean first.)(If you don’t have any dirty nappies and all your nappies are clean and dry you can go to step 2 directly.)
2. Fill your bath half full with cold/regular temperature water. (This is for a standard size tub.)
3. Add 1/2 cup of Jik (or any kind of clothing bleach) to the water and stir it through. (If this is done right and you don’t have to much bleach in your water, you won’t damage your nappies.)(The bleach will break off all the ammoniac build up in the nappies.)
4. Add you nappies into the tub straight after it has been washed.
5. Let them soak for 30min. (Make sure they are nicely distributed throughout the bath tub.) The maximum soaking time is 45min.
6. After the nappies have been soaked, take them out of the bath and gently squeeze out excess water.
7. Place the nappies in your washing machine directly from the bath and do a “Fuzzy” (machine setting) wash with warm water (40 degrees) and regular detergent.
8. Dry nappies as usual. (We recommend to hang them in the sun, as the sun also acts as a disinfectant. Make sure the PUL is away from the sun.)

*Tip: If you feel your nappies needs a serious deep clean you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda with your first wash in step 1.

Overall it is always better to wash your nappies at 40 degrees, or the warm setting (make sure the warm water is not above 45 degrees). If your machine doesn’t have that option then just add a bit more detergent if you wash with cold water.

(Credit to SACNU)

Starting out as a new cloth nappy mommy one always wonder how many nappies do I need. Here is a simple guide to help you start this amazing journey. Please keep in mind that this is only a suggestion guide and that each baby and mommy is different. One baby might need 10 nappies and another one might need 6 nappies. Never be discouraged thinking you need a lot of nappies to get started, start out with a small stash and see what works the best for you and your baby. There is always room to grow.

Click the link below for an easy visual guide.

How many nappies do I need?

• NB - Newborn
• OSFM - One Size Fits Most
• AIO - All in One Nappy Type
• Pocket - Nappy with a pocket at the back to stuff inserts in.
• Fitted - Nappy type that is all around absorbent.
• Cover - Placed over Flats and Fitted Nappies.
• SIO - Snap in One Nappy Type.
• Training Pants - Pull up nappy used for potty-training that has light absorbency and PUL outer layer.
• Insert - Piece of material that is used to stuff the nappy.
• Flat - Square piece of material folded in different ways to form a nappy, used with Covers.
• Trim - When the nappy sits nice and firm on baby's bum and is not bulky or loose.
• Snaps - Round snaps on the nappy that can be moved to secure the fit of the nappy.
• Rise - Snaps on the front row of the nappy to adjust the height/size.
• Fleece Liner - Thin piece of material used between the nappy and the bum to catch solids and give a stay-dry feel.
• Disposable Liner - 100% Biodegradable Bamboo Fiber piece of "fabric" used between the nappy and the bum to catch solids and give a stay-dry feel. Must be flushed or thrown away at every nappy change.
• WHAM - Work At Home Mom Handmade Nappy.

Get the perfect fit on your cloth nappy. Click the link below to watch a quick and informative video to help you get the perfect fit.

Unsure how to adjust the snaps for different sizes? Click on the link below to watch a quick and informative video on adjusting your nappy size.

https://youtu.be/_j5oebnilt4

Click the link below to watch an informative video on how to put on a fitted hemp night nappy and cover.