Soiled nappy storage

Keep cloth nappies as dry as possible until it is time to wash, ideally in an airy basket without a lid. Many members are surprised how little this smells, often it the basket does not smell at all.

The ideal storage for dirty cloth nappies and wipes is an airy basket without a lid. Plastic baskets have the advantage of being easy to wash and do not rust. Sometimes people refer to these as ‘dry pails’.

Storing nappies in this way allows water to evaporate. Water is one of the reactants in the formation of ammonia. Reducing the amount of water slows down the formation of ammonia.

An airy basket limits the reaction (formation of ammonia) by reducing one of the reactants (water) needed for it to form.

Storing nappies before the first wash

Store items in a basket, bucket, wet bag (water-resistant bag made of polyurethane laminate (PUL)) or what suits you.

Run the first wash within 1-2 days.

Storing nappies after the first wash

Store washes items where they can receive air flow. For example, an airy basket, open bucket or laundry tub.

Store the items awaiting their first wash in the same receptacle or use a marker such as a nappy shell or cloth to separate washed and unwashed items.

There is no need to hang these nappies to dry before the main wash.

Storing nappies in wet bags

Many early learning and childcare centres require dirty nappies to be stored in a closed bucket or wet bag during the day. This is short-term storage and will not harm your nappies.

Run the first wash daily (either at 60°C or any temperature with chlorine bleach) if storing dirty nappies in a closed container. It is usually easiest to run this at the end of the day.

Wet bags are also extremely useful for storing both clean and dirty cloth nappies and wipes while out or during the day.

Wet pailing

Decades ago it was common to soak dirty nappies in a mix of Napisan and water. This is called wet pailing. Many modern cloth users have an ‘aha moment’ when they realise the term dry pailing is used to distinguish from wet pailing.

In the 1970s and ’80s, the active ingredient in Napisan was potassium monopersulfate (KHSO₅) which oxidises sodium chloride to sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach). The formulation has since changed, with sodium hypochlorite replaced with sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach).

We do not recommend soaking dirty nappies in Napisan, or similar laundry boosters. Doing so creates a breeding ground for bacteria to flourish. Soaking also prematurely degrades elastics and is a drowning hazard.

Downloads

• Clean Cloth Nappies guide – soiled nappy storage (300.50 KB)
• Clean Cloth Nappies guide – wash routine overview (295.76 KB)