Beat the Winter Drying Blues

We all know only too well that getting laundry dry in this winter weather we are ‘blessed’ with in the UK is not always easy….particularly if you do not have, or do not like using a tumble drier. We have come to realise that many many of you fall into this category, and so we felt it was important to address the issue and to provide some useful information about how to tackle cloth nappies during winter time!

Quick Drying Nappies

Probably the most important factor in successfully using cloth nappies without a tumble drier is to start off by investing in a stash of nappies that dry quickly! Sounds obvious, but we do get so many mothers who come to us for advice because they are struggling to get their Little Lamb or Tots Bots bamboo nappies dry….and whilst bamboo is a wonderfully absorbent fibre, we would rarely recommend it for parents who do not have a tumble drier.

Bamboo can take a few days to dry on an airer, and should not be placed directly on a radiator as this will often singe the fibres causing them to flatten. A much more suitable fibre for those after a quick drying solution is microfibre/microterry, as this does not hold moisture in the same way as bamboo or cotton, and will feel almost dry to the touch after just the spin cycle in your washing machine. Microfibre will usually dry in just a couple of hours on an airer.

Some Examples of Nappies which use microfibre are:

BUMGENIUS 3.0 POCKET NAPPY

Pocket nappies are renowned for being super fast to dry, because the absorbent inserts are seperate from the main piece, aiding airflow. The bumGenius 3.0 is the most popular pocket nappies in todays market, and comes with 2 microfibre inserts included. These are a fantastic choice if you do not have a tumble drier, and will dry within just a couple of hours on the line or on an airer.

POP-IN DREAM DRI

The Dream-Dri is the latest version of the classic Pop-in nappy, and again utilises microfibre as its core. The Pop-in does literally come with pads that popper into the outer nappy piece, and so as these can be unpoppered and removed this again aids drying time further. The microfibre used in this nappy is a longer pile than in some other nappies, which makes for a lovely soft and absorbent nappy, without taking an age to dry!

BAMBINEX TEDDY NAPPY

The Bambinex Teddy is a fitted nappy, which requires a seperate waterproof wrap over the top. This nappy is made from a really fluffly and long-pile microfibre which dries very very quickly on an airer. Being a 2-part system, having the nappy and wrap seperate will help to dry the nappy more quickly than having the waterproofing built in, and a standard PUL wrap will dry in no time.

Although there are others, these are the standard nappies which we tend to recommend where parents dont have the use of a tumble drier. Even if you do have a tumble drier, at least a few very quick drying nappies are a great idea for those inevitable ‘in a rush’ moments! To aid parents further with making the correct nappy selection for them, we do also offer a tester kit of quick drying nappies, known as the ‘Quick Dry Kit’. This kit contains 3 of the quickest drying one-size nappies on the market, plus liners and a wet nappy bag, making it perfect for those just starting out, or those looking for a better solution to the nappies they are currently using.

DRYING TIPS:

• Line or airer drying will helpt o extend your nappies lifespan.
• If you do have access to a tumble drier, a dry towel in with your nappies will help to speed up the drying process.
• Never place PUL wraps or bamboo nappies directly on a radiator
• Outdoor line drying (when permittable!) will also help to bleach out stains
• Always ensure your nappies are thoroughly dry before putting them away, else a horrible musty smell will occur!

Summary:

- Crucial to get reliable advice before investing in any one system

- Bamboo is not the ideal fibre for use without a tumble drier.

- Microfibre is a much better option

- Quick Dry nappy kits are available to help you find a better solution