We’re always on hand to support your cloth nappy journey, just drop us an email at admin@fleursfibres.co.uk. But here are some frequently asked questions and beginners troubleshooting guide.
How do I wash my Fleur’s Fibre?
It’s really simple to wash. Just hand wash in lukewarm water with some wool-specific detergent – follow the instructions for the correct dose. We recommend Eucalan detergent which is excellent and is no-rinse so it’s really simple to use.
Unless soiled, your nappy cover should be able to go a few weeks before being washed. Air dry between uses.
What about drying?
Wool items should always be dried flat so they don’t lose their shape. They also should never been placed on a direct heat source. Fleur’s Fibres nappy covers do dry quite fast for a wool cover, but if you want to speed up the process then after washing you can roll into a towel and press to squeeze out some of the moisture. You can also dry on a shelf in your airing cupboard (just make sure it’s not touching any pipes!).
How many do I need?
For nighttime use we recommend two covers, so you can have one in the wash and one in use. Although if you have an alternative cover that you don’t mind using for the odd night, then you can probably make do with one. The night cover should be aired during the day so it is ready for use again in the evening.
For daytime use we recommend three covers. At each nappy change you would change the absorbent part and put that in the wash, then leave the cover to air whilst using your spare cover with the fresh absorbency. Alternating between two covers at each nappy change throughout the day. The third cover would be a spare in case of soiling, and can be rotated through as you wash each nappy cover in turn.
What size do I need?
We’ve produced a handy size guide for you here. If you want to discuss what size is right for you, or custom sizing then please drop us an email at admin@fleursfibres.co.uk.
Do I need to lanolise my nappy?
Short answer, no. Whereas sheep produce lanolin which coats their wool to make it water repellent, alpacas do not. Alpaca fibres are hollow which means it traps more heat and naturally pushes liquid away from the skin. The heat then means liquid will evaporate. This is what keeps alpacas dry and warm even in the most adverse weather. And thus alpaca fibre is considered naturally water repellent.
However, if you wish, you can lanolise your nappy cover to add an extra bit of resistance. We would recommend using a very tiny amount of lanolin, far less than what you would typically use on sheep’s wool. You can always treat again!
Why is my nappy leaking?
There’s a few main causes of leaks, if you’re still having issues after reading this then please reach out.
- Fit issues – the nappy cover needs to completely cover the absorbent material underneath. Pay special attention to the waist (especially the back which can be tricker to see!), and legs. If clothing is able to touch the absorbency then it will cause wicking.
- Compression – although a natural fibre, wool does not like to be compressed. Loose fitting clothing will prevent this and will also allow sufficient air circulation for evaporation. Simple fixes can include adding an additional vest extender, and leaving sleepsuit poppers undone around the nappy area. If your baby is using a sleeping bag at night and the zip finishes at the feet then leaving this unzipped a little can also help.
- Insufficient absorbency – like all nappy covers, Fleur’s Fibres covers are only water resistant, not waterproof, if the nappy underneath is saturated then it can start to come through the cover. For day time use you can either change more often or add an additional booster, for night time try adding an additional booster. When using wool covers in general it is likely that you’ll need a little more absorbency than if you use PUL/TPU covers.
Has my nappy felted?
Felting occurs when heat, water, and agitation are combined. It is an irreversible matting together of the fibres. It is a process we use to our advantage when making tumble dryer balls, or needle felting the ‘F’ onto the nappy covers. But we need to be careful when washing wool nappies to prevent severe felting – at its worst it can significantly shrink your nappy cover, possibly making it unusable.
With use you may begin to notice that your nappy cover has a denser texture in places – normally your baby’s wet zone. This is actually very normal and is from the wet nappy underneath and your baby’s movement. A slight felting like this is often beneficial as it makes the nappy cover more water resistant in these areas – which coincidentally is right where you need it most.
Safety advice
Due to the fibres of the nappy, if it is pulled or mouthed then small amounts of fibres could come loose. Whilst a few individual fibres will not present an issue, larger volumes could present a choking hazard if swallowed. Therefore we strongly advise against allowing your baby/child to play with the nappy cover, and never leave them unattended with it.
The drawstring pull cord could be removed from the waist band if pulled. Cords are a serious risk to babies and young children if they become wrapped around the neck. Again we strongly advise not letting your baby/child to play with the nappy cover. If you’re leaving your baby unattended whilst wearing their nappy cover (for example sleeping), then please ensure they cannot access the pull cord for safety reasons. Some ideas for babies and children who cannot undress themselves yet are to put clothing or sleeping bags over the top.