Modern washable nappies

Gone are the days of complicated folding, pins and soaking. Modern washable nappies are easy to use:

• They can be washed at home in the washing machine or by a nappy laundry service
• They are come in a range of styles and patterns and simply fasten with Velcro or poppers
• They are made from a range of different modern materials such as cotton, micro fibre and even bamboo which wash and dry easily

How do reusable nappies work?

The nappies are made up of an absorbent pad inside a waterproof wrapper. The pad is a soft absorbent washable material such as cotton, fleece, bamboo or hemp. A thin liner is used to catch faeces. You can buy liners that can simply be flushed down the toilet.

What are the benefits of reusable nappies for my baby?

Reusable nappies are breathable, allowing natural air to flow next to baby’s skin. Reusable nappies also don’t have the chemicals and gels found in disposable nappies.

How many nappies will I need?

Around 18-24 for a new born, this reduces as the child gets older.

How do you wash, dry and store nappies?

Wet and soiled nappies can be stored in a lidded bucket. A 60° C wash is fine for these. If the nappies are just wet, these can be washed with the rest of your household washing. Where possible line dry your nappies as the sunshine will naturally deodorise and bleach them.

What types of nappy are available?

Flat nappy

Flat nappies are terries and prefolds. Terry towelling nappies are folded in to a nappy shape and then secured with a pin or clip. A refold nappy is folded into a pad and then placed inside a waterproof wrap.

Shaped nappies

Shaped nappies are fitted nappies that come ready to wear. They are available in different sizes and shapes

Stuffable nappies

These are wraps that have a pouch to insert a pad, folded terries or prefold. They are available in sized and birth to potty styles. A separate wrap is not required.

All-in-one nappies

These are similar to the shaped nappies but have a waterproof cover attached so you only have to put on item on your baby.

What are the benefits of real nappies? 

Babys' health

• Washable nappies do not contain gels or chemicals
• They are soft, naturally breathable, absorbent and kind to your baby's skin
• Not changing the nappy frequently is a main cause of nappy rash rather than the type of nappy worn (Research by Bristol University)

Cost savings

• Washing reusable nappies at home can save you up to £500 for your first child, and more for subsequent children, compared with using disposables
• Disposing of nappies costs tax payers in York and North Yorkshire over £300,000 a year

The environment

• Washable nappies allow all bodily waste and associated viruses to be flushed down the toilet, instead of being buried in landfill sites
• The equivalent of seven million trees are used every year just to produce Britain's disposable nappies.
• Every disposable nappy that has ever been buried in a landfill site still exists, and could take several hundred years to decompose.

Where to buy real nappies

Local Nappy Sellers

For friendly advice about using real nappies why not contact one of the local nappy sellers listed below.  They will be happy to arrange an individual or group nappy demonstration with lots of samples to touch and feel and help you decide which is best for you and your baby.

• Karin Fothergill of Stratford Nappies is an independent nappy seller and has a wide range of washable nappies.  Telephone 01759 372884 or email karin@stratfordnappies.co.uk

• Margaret Webster is a local Lollipop real nappy adviser selling a wide range of washable nappies.  Telephone 07957 208212 or email margaretwebster3@yahoo.com

Nappy retailers

• Tesco Tadcaster Road now sells a range of Tots Bots and Bambino Mio nappies and accessories
• Paul Stride sells a small range of real nappies. 20 Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, Huntington, York. YO32 9JS
• Mothercare, Unit 4 Clifton Moor Retail Park, Clifton Gate,YO30 4YU sells a range of washable nappies and accessories.  These are also available online
• See Lets Talk Less Rubbish website for a list of nappy sellers in North Yorkshire
• There are lots of on-line nappy sellers which can be found using a search engine

Where to get more information

• The most thorough independent website is Go Real from the Real Nappy Information service.  This website aims to provide you with everything that you might want to know about Real Nappies
• Lets Talk Less Rubbish  is our waste partnership website, packed full with useful information and pictures of the different types of nappies 
• The Real Nappy Exchange can help if you would like to sell/donate or purchase used nappies tel: (020) 7481 9004
• Previously owned nappies - see usednappies website for details about buying and selling real nappies
• UK based Real nappy store Fill Your Pants also acts as an advisory service about Real nappies.  

The nappy cash back incentive offer is now closed.