Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dry pailing?
Dry pailing is when you store your soiled nappies in a dry bucket unlike the traditional way of filling the bucket with water and soaking them until wash day.
There are several variations on how to dry pail and wash but here's how I do it: If nappy is just wet, I pop it straight into the bucket. If soiled, I get as much poo off the nappy into the toilet and rinse the nappy out before placing in the bucket, if there isn't much left on the nappy I just pop it in without rinsing.
I wash my nappies every second day...
How Do I wash my nappies & covers?
Again, there are many different ways to wash nappies, here's how I do it: every second day I empty my nappy bucket into the washing machine and first do a cold rinse cycle. Then I do a wash in warm to hot water with just a teaspoon of washing powder and either vinegar or 'Dettol sanitising laundry rinse' in the rinse cycle.
NOTE: Do not use vinegar if washing nappies with PUL, it will damage the waterproof layer.
I hang them outside on the clothes line in the sun as this helps to sanitise them and reduces any smells they may have. Personally I hate putting them in the dryer as this tends to make any smells worse. I only do this as a last resort.
How Many Nappy Covers will I need?
Personally I recommend at least 4 to 6 covers. This allows you to use two to three in rotation each day.
I generally use 2 covers each day, one is airing while the other is in use and I swap them over at each change. Of course if the cover gets soiled, place it in the nappy bucket and use a clean one.
