Once you start your cloth nappy journey you will hear about STRIPPING! Before we discuss more about this process it is important to understand that with an effective, successful wash routine, stripping should not be necessary.
A word of caution about stripping methods
There are many suggested stripping methods available online, and we caution you to consider that most of them will include steps that will void your warranty and shorten the lifecycle of your cloth nappies.
We strongly advise against the use of bleach with our nappies, as per our manufacturer’s advice. Strong, abrasive chemicals can severely damage the natural fibres of your cloth nappies. It is also very important to understand how bleaches work and to ensure they are properly neutralised — otherwise they can cause skin irritation and damage.
Signs your nappies might need stripping
Over time you could experience build-up in your cloth nappies or have infection concerns. You will notice that your nappies are leaking, there could be an increase in baby’s nappy rashes or thrush, and/or strong odours when the nappy is wet. It may then become necessary to “strip” your nappies.
Before you experiment with the various bleach stripping methods, we encourage you to try Super Nappy Wash and/or detergent-free rinse cycles.
How to strip your nappies safely
Try several warm washes without detergent. You can increase the temperature up to 60°C for the occasional strip, but not every wash. After the second cycle, add a dose of Super Nappy Wash to refresh your nappies. The key to avoiding residue build-up is to RINSE, RINSE, RINSE! (Unless you have hard water.)
Dealing with spores or bacteria
If you’re concerned about spores or bacteria — this could be because the nappies are pre-loved or baby has had a thrush infection — replace your regular detergent with Super Nappy Wash. This will kill 99.9% of spores and bacteria while giving a thorough clean and removing any strong odours.
The bottom line
Stripping should be the exception, not the routine. If you’re using a cloth-safe detergent like Super Nappy Wash and rinsing thoroughly every wash, most of the issues that lead to stripping simply won’t come up. Think of it as a reset button — useful occasionally, not something your nappies need every month.
Still noticing leaks, odours, or rashes after trying the steps above? Get in touch with us — we’re happy to help you troubleshoot your wash routine.