Real Nappies

Real nappies

The information on this page has been supplied to us by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Wiltshire Real Nappy Network.

The Wiltshire Real Nappy Network Co-ordinator can:

  • Tell you about local stockists and laundries
  • Put you in touch with a local agent or volunteer who can tell you about the realities of using cloth nappies and help with problems.
  • Demonstrate and loan you a range of nappies to try at home.
  • Explain the cashback voucher scheme.
  • Put you in touch with the local credit union if you would like help in spreading the cost of purchase.

For further information on real nappies please contact: Jacky Thomas: email nappies@wiltshirewildlife.org Tel 01380 725670 ext 236, or write to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Elm Tree Court, Long Street, Devizes. Link to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Downloadable Real Nappy Cashback Voucher (PDF File, opens in new window)

Real Nappies FAQs

How practical are washable nappies?

A cloth nappy system consists of a soft absorbent nappy and a waterproof breathable cover (called a wrap). The new, colourful designs fit snugly and nappy pins have been replaced with Velcro, poppers or plastic grips for quick and easy fastening. The nappies are made of lightweight fluffy materials, usually cotton, hemp or polyester. Cloth nappies wash and dry easily. Using cloth nappies is not an all or nothing option. For example, you could use disposables when travelling. If you don’t want to wash nappies at home, laundry services are available in some areas.

What are my washable nappy options?

There are three types of cloth nappy:

  • Flat nappies: The traditional terry square is folded to make a pad then secured with a plastic fastening and covered with a wrap. Pre-folds, used by most laundry services, are flat cotton squares that fold easily to fit a wrap.
  • Shaped nappies are designed to fit your baby snugly and some styles go from birth to potty. They require an outer wrap.
  • All-in-ones have the nappy stitched into a waterproof cover with fastenings.

What do I need to get started?
You need enough nappies to allow you to wash only when there is a full load for the machine, around 18 – 24 nappies and if you choose a two-part nappy, 3-6 wraps. You may also want to buy some biodegradable or washable liners to draw the moisture away from the baby’s skin, add extra absorbency and make changing easier. You will need to buy larger nappies as the baby grows unless you choose the one size type. Most styles have three sizes. To avoid leakages, it’s important to select the right style and size for your baby’s shape from the wide choice of products available. You can also use booster pads to increase absorbency if needed.

What about washing and drying cloth nappies?
Soiled nappies can simply be stored in a dry, lidded container and washed at 60°. Biodegradable nappy liners can be flushed down the loo with any solid waste. Washable liners can go in the wash with your nappies. Wraps need to be washed at 40°. Fabric softeners should not be used as they can reduce the absorbency of the nappies and damage the covers. Most cloth nappies can be line or tumble dried or dried on an airer in a warm room.

What is the cost?
The initial outlay to equip you with a set of cloth nappies is a one-off cost so you don’t pay for disposables on a weekly basis. Overall cloth nappies can save you at least £300. You can spread the cost by buying a few nappies at a time or taking a loan with very low interest rates from a local credit union. Flat nappies cost around £2 each and prices rise to £10-£13 for all in one styles or one size nappies. Wraps cost from £6 each. Home washing costs around £1 per week. Laundry services cost between £8 and £12 a week for a home delivery service.

Won’t my baby get nappy rash?
Your baby is no more likely to get nappy rash from real nappies than from disposables. Frequency of changing is the important factor to avoid nappy rash: about six times day is the average.

Washable nappies and wildlife
An important element in Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s efforts to protect wildlife is to help reduce the impact of our modern lifestyles on the environment. 25 million nappies go into Wiltshire landfill annually. Using cloth nappies helps reduce this waste as well as reducing the raw materials and energy used to produce nappies.

Use cloth nappies in an eco-friendly way by:

  1. Choosing organic or unbleached cotton nappies that fit the baby well and suit your pocket.
  2. Avoiding wraps made of PVC.
  3. Using a washable liner
  4. Dry-pailing–put them dry into a lidded container and wash every two or three days-without a softener.
  5. Buying around 24 nappies and six wraps to allow you to use a full load.  Wash nappies at 60° and wraps at 40°max.
  6. Using an eco friendly detergent in a modern A rated washing machine.
  7. Air-drying, rather than tumble-drying.
  8. Never ironing the nappies.
  9. Beginning potty training at around two years.
  10. Using the nappies for more than one child –pass them on, sell or buy second hand.

Where can I buy them?

(Please tell suppliers where you found their name.)

Agents often offer demonstrations to people in their own homes, try before you buy schemes and follow up advice. The addresses given are where they live but they cover a wide area around.

Real nappy agents
Jenny Tarrant (Lollipop) Melksham – 01225 706199

Shops
The Baby Carriage, Trowbridge (also at Melksham) - Bambino Mio, Onelife
Options, Warminster –Onelife, terries, muslin squares
Who Cares, Melksham - Motherease

Nearly new baby clothes and equipment shops
Scallywags, Bradford on Avon
Babyworld, Melksham (Semington road)

Laundry services
Nifty Nappies, covers West Wilts, 01395 848623
Also branches of Boots, Mothercare, Sainsbury and Waitrose and Internet sites including e-Bay.

Link to the WRAP Real Nappy Campaign Website