washing nappies
How should Ella's House nappies be washed?
Nappies and wraps can be washed at 60 degrees celsius and tumble dried. Please note that tumble drying can reduce the lifespan of your nappies and wraps however this must be balanced against convenience and it is your choice. A compromise can be to tumble them for 10 minutes either at the beginning or end of their air drying time.
Modern washing machines use very little water for efficiency but this isn't so good for soiled nappies, so if you have a problem select the high water level wash option. Using non-bio powders can help babies with skin problems but will fade colours in time.
It seems that extra bleaching agents are used to compensate for the lack of enzyme cleaning action. Wraps can be used several times before washing, and then at 40 or 60 degrees celsius - this will extend their life. Either reuse straight away or alternate, letting one air out.
Using fabric softener on any fabric reduces absorbency and is not recommended.
Polyester fleece can pill (bobble) and the degree to which this happens depends on the washing and drying and the particular manufacture of the material. Ella's House uses the finest quality fleece however we cannot totally prevent this from happening.
What about pre-washing?
The hemp material has natural oils that are removed with washing and this increases its absorbency. Three washes at 40 or 60 degrees celsius with your normal washing powder is sufficient. Change your baby more frequently until full absorbency is reached and you have matched absorbency to your baby's wetness habits.
Are there any washing machines that aren't recommended?
Very vigorous washing cycles are unnecessary and will wear your nappies faster than a regular washing machine. We have 1 report of a Dyson contrarotating drum causing accelerated wear, however these washing machines are no longer available.
What about the energy to run the washing machine - doesn't this detract from the environmental benefit?
Ok, but where do you stop? Disposable clothes for baby and the rest of the family?
Will the colours run in my white nappy wash?
They shouldn't. We recommend that you do the 3 pre-washes with similar colours, but after that, there should be no colour runs in the wash.
