Do I need to soak?
Modern cloth nappies don’t require bleaching, soaking, hot washing, ironing; or any of those mundane and time consuming jobs that make traditional cloth nappies seem like a chore.
This makes caring for modern cloth nappies really easy. Once used, simply empty the contents of the soiled nappy into the toilet (or you can use a bio-degradable flushable liner for this if you don’t like the mess) and throw the nappy in a dry nappy bucket with a lid, or straight in the wash.
For stubborn stains you can use a toilet hose attachment, or simply hold the nappy near the edge of the toilet and flush, and the spray will rinse off the stain. Some people prefer to use a rubber spatula or a wad of toilet paper to scrape the contents into the toilet.
How do I wash them?
Cushie Tushies can be washed in cold or warm water (60°C maximum). They don’t need sterilizing – please do not use bleach or napisan, it is not necessary and can damage the materials. For best washing results, choose either a pre-wash then wash cycle or an intensive wash cycle (no soaking!).Cold or warm washing and drying your nappies in the sun, or in a warm dryer, will kill any germs. In addition to this, Cushie Tushies contain bamboo inside, which has anti-microbial properties and will help keep the nappy from going mouldy or spreading bacteria.
Use your washing machine’s fastest spin cycle to wring as much water from the nappies as possible, which will reduce the drying time.
Coutures and Basix nappies can be dried in an electric dryer on a warm (not hot) setting. However, we recommend it best to line dry where possible to extend the life of your nappies, as exclusive drying in an electric dryer may reduce the lifespan of the materials..
Ensure nappies are very dry before re-using. The stay-dry fabrics used on the outside and inner lining of the nappies can make it difficult to tell if the inner bamboo is 100% dry, so to be sure, give them a full day in the sun, or half a day in the sun plus overnight hanging on a clothes rack inside. Nappies that are not fully dry before use will not be as absorbent and may then leak.
Only wash wool soakers when soiled or smelly. They do not need to be washed after every use – if they feel dry to touch and don’t smell, they don’t need washing. Wash the wool soakers by hand, or machine wash if your machine has a good hand wash cycle, using mild wool detergent only. Dry in the shade – do not dry in an electric dryer or in very hot direct sunlight, as the wool may shrink.
Wipes, liners, bamboo fold-ups and the Nappy Sox may be washed in the same load as the nappies and dried on the line or in a dryer.
What detergent should I use?
When washing your Cushie Tushies, use a regular washing detergent – liquid or powder. Use slightly less detergent than you would in a normal wash, as too much detergent can leave a build-up, thus reducing the absorbency of your nappies.
Please note that Cushie Tushies have tested on a wide variety of commercially available detergents, including leading brands, home brand, Aldi and environmentally friendly varieties, all with good to excellent results. We have not yet tested using bi-carbonate of soda to wash the nappies, so can’t guarantee the results.
For wool soakers, use a mild wool detergent and hand wash.
Fabric softener is not recommended for the rinse cycle as this will coat the nappies, also reducing the nappies’ absorbency.
Vinegar is not recommended as a substitute for fabric softener, as it may damage the elastic in the nappies, thus reducing their effectiveness.