For a simple, printable guide, download our printable washing instructions 

We recommend washing your nappies before you use them. This will remove any factory residue, and will help the inserts to become more absorbent. Our bamboo inserts may take a few washes to reach their full absorbency. This can be a full wash cycle with no washing powder, or in with your normal clothes wash. Just make sure you don’t use any fabric softener! 

Please note: Our inserts will shrink with washing. This is normal and expected, and they have been designed to fit in the pocket shell once shrunk. 

Step 1: Remove any solids
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, their poo is water soluble so can be put straight into the washing machine!
Once your nappies have been used, you should remove any solids. You can do this by shaking them out into the toilet. Some people choose to scrape them off, or to hold the shell in the toilet while flushing. You could also buy a water spray attachment which fixes to the toilet, or use the shower hose to rinse it off. You should never put human poo in the waste bin. 

Step 2: Store your dirty nappies
You can store your dirty nappies in a dry pail at home, or wet bag while out. The dry pail should have holes for air flow to allow the nappies to breathe. Do not soak your dirty nappies.

Step 3: Pre wash   
You should prewash your nappies every 1-2 days. This needs to be separate from your main wash as it will rinse away any wee or poo, making sure that your main wash is done with clean water. This should be a full wash cycle, not a ‘prewash’ setting. Wash up to 40 degrees for at least 45 minutes. Some people choose to use up to half a dose of powder. 

Step 4: Main wash
Your main wash should be every 2-3 days, at 40-60 degrees on your longest wash cycle. This cycle should be at least 2 hours. If your machine does not have a 2 hour cycle, you may need to run two cycles back to back. Newborn nappies should always be washed at 60 degrees. We recommend using a 40 degree main wash as continuous washing at 60 may reduce the lifespan of your nappies. 
Make sure to load your machine to around 3 quarters full when dry. This will give the nappies enough room to rub and agitate, and will result in a better clean. If you do not have enough nappies to fill your machine, you can bulk out your wash with pieces of baby clothing, or small hand towels. 
Make sure you use the right amount of washing powder for your drum size, load size, and for heavily soiled items. Check the side of the box to make sure you are using the correct amount. There should not be enough suds that your machine is completely white inside. If you use too much detergent, it can cause a buildup which may reduce the lifespan of your nappies, cause leaks and smells. If this ever happens, make sure you run another wash cycle with no detergent to rinse it all away. Keep washing until you see no suds in the machine. 

Never use softener! This coats fabric in residue and will reduce the lifespan and absorbency of your nappies.  

Step 5: Hang your nappies to dry 
You should always hang your nappies up to dry. Pocket shells are one of the quickest nappies to dry, just make sure that they have enough airflow. You should also hang your inserts to dry when possible, however you may tumble dry these on low if necessary. Never place your nappies on direct heat, such as a radiator or heated dryer. Never iron your nappies. 
 
Stains? 
Athletic wicking jersey is slightly more prone to staining than other materials. As long as you have a good wash routine, and no other issues such as smells, there are ways to reduce or remove stains. You could hang your nappies in the sun, or sit them in a windowsill with the stained side up, as the sun is an effective natural stain remover. 
 
Looking after your washing machine

You should clean your machine once a month. This will get rid of any build up and help it to clean better, and last longer. You should clean the filters and seals, and run the hottest cycle on your machine. You could use white vinegar in the tray, and soda crystals in the drum on your hot cycle. Make sure to check your manufacturer's guidelines as they may recommend a specific way of cleaning your machine. 


If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch via the live chat.