Washing cloth nappies doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a simple, step-by-step routine for busy parents — no soaking required.
How to Wash Cloth Nappies (Without the Overwhelm)
Let’s be honest — one of the biggest things that holds parents back from using cloth nappies is the washing.
“How much work is it really?”
“Do I have to soak them?”
“Will they ever feel clean again?”
The good news? Washing cloth nappies is way easier than it sounds. Here’s exactly how to do it — with no stress, no soaking buckets, and no stink.
Step 1: Dry Pail After Use
After a change, remove any solids into the toilet. Then pop the used nappy (and insert) into a dry pail — a ventilated laundry basket or bucket with holes is perfect.
No soaking needed. In fact, soaking can cause smells and damage modern fabrics.
Step 2: Pre-Wash Every 1–2 Days
Do a short cycle with a small amount of detergent. This helps remove the bulk of the waste and preps your nappies for the main wash.
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Use cold or warm water
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No need to separate nappy types
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No fabric softener
Step 3: Main Wash Every 2–3 Days
This is your deep clean. Do a longer cycle with full detergent (check your machine’s instructions) and warm or hot water.
Wash with other baby items or small towels if needed to balance the load.
Step 4: Drying
Line drying in sunlight is ideal — the sun naturally removes stains and kills bacteria.
You can also tumble dry inserts on low, but avoid heat for covers with waterproof lining (it can damage the fabric over time).
Bonus Tips
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Don’t overstuff your machine — they need room to agitate
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Use a good detergent — ideally one without softeners or bleaches
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Washing every 2–3 days is the sweet spot
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Traveling? Just rinse and dry pail until you get home
Our How to Use MCNs Guide includes a short video walkthrough too — perfect for visual learners!
Final Word
Washing cloth nappies doesn’t need to be a big deal. With the right rhythm and routine, it becomes just another part of your week — no soaking, no scrubbing, no stress.
Explore our full Cloth Nappies 2.0 range and get started with confidence.