Case Studies

Does my bum look big in this?

East Renfrewshire parents talk about their experiences with washable nappies.

Double Trouble?

Jane and George Cowan are using the Cotton Bottoms Birth to Potty range with their 5-month old twins, Julie and John.

The environmental impact of using disposable nappies was the main reason that the Cowans chose to use washable nappies.  Jane mentioned that her own mother used real nappies with Jane and her three other siblings – without the ‘luxury’ of a washing machine and tumble dryer – quashing any doubts that they might have had about not being able to manage taking on the responsibility of laundering their nappies at home.

Jane commented, “We have found no real problems using washable nappies.  The key to our success, I believe, was giving some proper consideration to a ‘system’ for storing, washing and drying the nappies.  The clean nappies, liners and wraps are stored in our changing station (just as you would store disposables), with a bucket beneath the station for the soiled nappies.  The nappies are then washed at the end of the day.  

Jane continued,”To reduce the environmental impact further, we agreed that we didn’t want the tumble dryer on every day to dry nappies and clothes for Julie and John.  I remembered that my mum had used pulleys to dry clothes and nappies for four children.  I decided to do the same and have erected two pulleys. Because of our high ceilings, the pulleys are really unobtrusive – there is less clutter in the house than if we were trying to dry clothes and nappies on clothes horses and radiators”.

Despite initial concerns of doubling up on everything, the Cowans have found that buying and washing nappies at home to be a convenient, easy option.  Jane mentioned,” the trips to the supermarket are greatly reduced because of not having lorry loads of disposables to purchase each week.  The initial and running costs far outweigh the cost of disposables, even taking into consideration electricity bills etc for the washing of them.”

This season, Mia Green will be mostly wearing Kushies Nappy System

Louise and John Green are currently using Kushies pre-fold nappies with their 11 month daughter, Mia. Having made the decision to use washable nappies before Mia's arrival, the Greens received a Kushies starter pack as a gift from one of their relatives. Louise commented that the starter pack represented very good value for money "for just over £70 the pack contains 24 nappies, 4 waterproof wraps and a bucket. We're still using this original pack of nappies and it is only now that I am thinking about purchasing the next size up. We've certainly saved a small fortune by using washable nappies with Mia".

The Greens made the decision to use washable nappies to do their bit for the environment and to save themselves money. Louise uses disposable liners with the nappies (which are flushed down  the toilet) and then pops them into the bucket provided with the starter pack. The family have a tumble dryer which they use in the colder months to dry the nappies. However, Louise indicated that they make use of their washing line and pulley at other times. "To cut down on the environmental impact of the dryer, I only use it to dry the nappies off a little - I then pop them onto the pulley to finish them off. The short blast in the dryer keeps them soft too".

Washable nappies have presented no great additional laundry burden for the family. "Once you have your washing routine sorted out, using and washing the nappies is not a problem at all", said Louise