Hints, Tips and FAQs

How do I choose which nappies to use?
There is a huge selection of cloth nappy systems available in the UK so the choice can often be overwhelming at first. Asking yourself these questions may help:
“Will I use a tumble dryer?” If not, then you will need to choose nappies that are fairly quick to dry.
“Do I want to fold a nappy?” If not, then choose nappies that are shaped and fitted and fasten with Velcro or poppers.

You do not have to restrict yourself to just one type of nappy, so feel free to mix and match to your heart's content. If after looking through our catalogue you are still unsure, then we are always on hand at the Nappy Network to help you decide, so just call or email us.

How many nappies will I need?
As a general rule you will need 15-18 nappies, 3 or 4 wraps and a supply of liners.

How do I deal with soiled nappies?
Take the nappy off, flush the liner (along with any solid waste) down the toilet. Place the nappy in any container with a lid, such as a bucket or waste bin. There is no need to soak and you can add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil to keep the container smelling fresh. Wash nappies on a 60c cycle and dry them as you would your clothes. Most parents do a nappy wash 2-3 times a week, or you can simply wash a few nappies along with your usual laundry.

How much do they cost?
Pricing varies, so see our separate price list for detailed information, but you can set up a simple cloth nappy system for as little as £75 and no more than £400. Compare that to the “hidden” cost of disposables—around £1200 per baby!

I am on a limited budget—what do you recommend?
Cloth nappies will save you hundreds of pounds in the long run, but they do require some initial outlay up front. If you are on a limited budget then we can reserve your nappies, you can pay on a weekly or monthly basis and build up your collection gradually. If you purchase lots of nappies then we recommend you wash and try just a small amount at first then if you don't like them for any reason you can return any unwashed, unused nappies and either exchange for a different product, or have your money back. To avoid making any costly mistakes, why not try a Free Trial Taster Kit, before you buy? A handy money saving tip is to reuse your flusable liners! If they are only wet (not soiled) then wash them along with your nappies and you will find that you can reuse them about 2 or 3 times.

Do I have to use disposable wipes?
No! You can clean baby's bottom with cotton wool and water (in fact, this is usualy recommended for a newborn by midwives) You can also save more money and be more eco-friendly by using washable wipes. Simply cut some cotton material into wipe sized squares. You can then dip the cloth into water for wiping, or make your own simple cleansing lotion from camomile tea, a little baby oil or olive oil, and a couple of drops of an essential oil such as Tea Tree. You can pre-soak the wipes in the solution and store in an air tight plastic box, or keep the solution separate and dip the wipe into it.

What about nappy rash?
Find out all you need to know about nappy rash HERE.