Just a quick question I need answering please...

Mamoosca · Apr 9th, 2012, 15:10 PM

My OH put a load of washing on yesterday with some of our Bumgenius 4s in the load, he added non bio fabric softner. I've read that you're not supposed to use softner on cloth nappies.. will this have ruined them?

Also why is it that we aren't supposed to use it?

Many thanks.

mistyscott · Apr 9th, 2012, 15:52 PM

I'm not an expert compared to some others on here, but the reason you shouldn't use fabric softener is it can reduce absorbency (same reason not to use it on towels) so the nappies won't be ruined afaik, but keep an eye on leaks etc and you might need to strip wash them. Just the once would be fine though I reckon

Rachel_C · Apr 9th, 2012, 16:00 PM

Most softeners are oil based so you can't really wash them out of fabrics properly (they're not supposed to, that's how they make everything feel soft and fluffy). That's fine for clothes but for nappies it reduces the absorbency. The trapped softener also traps bacteria which can cause stinky nappies when they're freshly washed or just have one pee in them and it can cause rash too.

I've heard of people using softener once and needing to strip wash the nappies afterwards. I would personally strip wash them now just in case. Rash due to build up isn't nice and neither are leaks! The link in my sig will tell you how, I'd do the dishwasher tablet method.

You can use clay based softener. The only one I know of is Bold 2in1.

Mamoosca · Apr 9th, 2012, 16:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel_C

Most softeners are oil based so you can't really wash them out of fabrics properly (they're not supposed to, that's how they make everything feel soft and fluffy). That's fine for clothes but for nappies it reduces the absorbency. The trapped softener also traps bacteria which can cause stinky nappies when they're freshly washed or just have one pee in them and it can cause rash too.

I've heard of people using softener once and needing to strip wash the nappies afterwards. I would personally strip wash them now just in case. Rash due to build up isn't nice and neither are leaks! The link in my sig will tell you how, I'd do the dishwasher tablet method.

You can use clay based softener. The only one I know of is Bold 2in1.

Thank you

i've book marked that thread for now and for future reference. I'd not heard of strip washing cloth nappies before. I don't have a dishwasher so ill be doing the one in the washing machine.

I might have to murder OH if he does it again... he's already ruined some of her lovely clothes by mixing colours when he does a wash!

Rachel_C · Apr 9th, 2012, 17:17 PM

I'd say it's worth buying some dishwasher tablets just for stripping. We only got a dishwasher recently but I had a box of cheap basic tablets for the nappies

One box lasted over two years!

Apr 9th, 2012, 15:10 PM	#1
Mamoosca Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North West, UK Posts: 1,112	Just a quick question I need answering please... My OH put a load of washing on yesterday with some of our Bumgenius 4s in the load, he added non bio fabric softner. I've read that you're not supposed to use softner on cloth nappies.. will this have ruined them? Also why is it that we aren't supposed to use it? Many thanks.

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Apr 9th, 2012, 15:52 PM	#2
mistyscott Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Norwich, UK Posts: 1,861	I'm not an expert compared to some others on here, but the reason you shouldn't use fabric softener is it can reduce absorbency (same reason not to use it on towels) so the nappies won't be ruined afaik, but keep an eye on leaks etc and you might need to strip wash them. Just the once would be fine though I reckon

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Apr 9th, 2012, 16:00 PM	#3
Rachel_C Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11,651	Most softeners are oil based so you can't really wash them out of fabrics properly (they're not supposed to, that's how they make everything feel soft and fluffy). That's fine for clothes but for nappies it reduces the absorbency. The trapped softener also traps bacteria which can cause stinky nappies when they're freshly washed or just have one pee in them and it can cause rash too. I've heard of people using softener once and needing to strip wash the nappies afterwards. I would personally strip wash them now just in case. Rash due to build up isn't nice and neither are leaks! The link in my sig will tell you how, I'd do the dishwasher tablet method. You can use clay based softener. The only one I know of is Bold 2in1.

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 17:17 PM	#5
Rachel_C Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11,651	I'd say it's worth buying some dishwasher tablets just for stripping. We only got a dishwasher recently but I had a box of cheap basic tablets for the nappies One box lasted over two years!

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