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Reusable nappies guide

What are reusable nappies made from

Reusable nappies are available in a range and mix of materials including cotton, bamboo, hemp and fleece.

Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is very soft and stays soft after many washes. It’s also strong, durable, very absorbent and thin, so it fits neatly on the baby. It has a lower impact on the environment as it is fast growing and can be harvested continually. Thanks to its natural resistance, bamboo needs less chemical treatment in comparison to cotton.

Disadvantages

In a home with no central heating, bamboo nappies can take up to 36 hours to dry. They dry much faster on a washing line in the summer and in the winter if you have the central heating on.

Cotton

Strong, durable and soft cotton is ideal for nappies. It is mid-range in terms of absorbency and drying time. Organic and unbleached cotton is kinder to the environment than regular cotton because fewer chemicals are used in farming and manufacture.

Disadvantages

Cotton can go a bit hard after long term use but if you knead nappies after they have dried, this keeps them soft.

Microfibre

A man-made fabric mainly made from polyesters, tough but very soft to the touch. Microfibre fleece is good at drawing moisture away from the skin so it’s great for nappies, booster pads and reusable liners. If drying your nappies is an issue or you’re in a hurry, microfibre is fantastic – the fabric will be almost dry after a spin in your washing machine.

Disadvantages

Microfibre absorbs less liquid so the nappy needs to be changed quite quickly once it becomes wet.

Nappy information and advice