Are cloth nappies disgusting?

“Ugh, how grim”

After a video I posted on TikTok, I received quite a lot of comments. I often notice a fairly big difference between how my videos are received on Instagram and on TikTok. On Instagram, it's quite warm,.

Just now, when I posted a video, there were a lot of comments saying that cloth nappies are unhygienic, disgusting, breed bacteria, are harmful to my child, and that I'm a bit mental.

Hello and oh.

Right then. I'll try to proceed on the basis that most people might not be familiar with cloth nappies, know how they work, or perhaps don't even have children of their own. Because if you've never seen how it actually works, it's easy to imagine something completely different from reality.

What is it really that makes cloth nappies disgusting?

If we're being.

But that's not what it looks like.

Dirty cloth nappies are stored in an airy way, usually in an open or ventilated bag or bucket.

This means that bacteria do not get the same opportunity to develop as many seem to believe. On the contrary, it is a rather controlled and well-thought-out routine.

Then there's also the fact that you handle the poo, which I think many people find disgusting. That you have to handle the poo. I don't see it as ”you have to handle the poo”, but more as a step you take when you change a nappy.

But isn

Yes. And no.

Yes, you handle the nappies more consciously.
No, it's not as dramatic as it sounds.

And here is perhaps the most important point

Life with a baby is already quite... gross. That is, at least if you're one of those people who find bodily fluids and other things that come from the body gross.

You wipe shit.
You'll get sick on your shoulder.
You are wiping your nose.
You are being urinated on.

And then there are children who’ve stopped wearing nappies but still have accidents – what do you do then? Do you throw the clothes away? No, you wipe them down as best you can, perhaps rinse them, and then you wash them.

It's part of everyday life, whether you use cloth nappies or disposable nappies.

The difference really isn't om You're handling bodily fluids. Without how.

And if we are going to talk about “disgusting” anyway”

If there's something that can actually feel challenging, it's more of a classic poonami in a disposable nappy. When it's all leaked up your back, onto your clothes, perhaps further... Time to start sanitising, perhaps some breastfed poo in the nape of your neck?

Most parents of young children have probably experienced this.

So no, cloth nappies aren't unique in sometimes involving a bit of a mess. That's just part and parcel of toddler life.

What about the washing machine, doesn't it get gross from cloth nappies?

Another common concern is that the washing machine would become un.

It's more about habit than anything else

I believe much of the reaction is about unfamiliarity. What is new feels strange at first.

But once you're in it, it doesn't seem disgusting. It just becomes part of the routine, just like everything else in life with small children.

For me, it's about something bigger, not that cloth nappies are disgusting.

For me, cloth nappies are not a way to make life more difficult or inconvenient.

It is a way to:

• reduce waste
• has control over what is closest to my child's skin
• avoid unnecessary additives and perfumes

And yes, that means I'm washing nappies.

But that doesn't mean it's unhygienic. Or disgusting.

It just means I'm doing it differently.

A few tips for keeping your cloth nappies hygienic:

Storage of cloth nappies:
Airing dirty nappies in a Open laundry basket or a ventilated bag (type a Pull bagThis reduces odour and prevents bacteria from thriving.

Wash interval
Most washes are done every second to third day. This means the nappies don't sit around for long.

Washing routine
A common routine is a shorter pre-wash followed by a longer main wash at 60 degrees. This is sufficient to get the nappies clean.

Detergent
A perfume-free and gentle detergent without unnecessary additives works best, both for the baby's skin and for the nappies to rinse clean.

Does it really come out clean?
Yes. Properly washed textiles become clean. This applies to cloth nappies just as much as other garments that come into contact with everyday dirt.