Mould Prevention

March 06, 2017 2 min read

Mould is a horrible fungus that can affect our cloth nappies when we least expect it. It can stain and deteriorate fabric and precipitate a plethora of health problems, so it is imperative that you find the source and eradicate it.

In layman’s terms, the formula for mould is pretty simple. Moisture + warmth + time. Remove one of these factors and you should remove the mould.

PREVENTION IS KEY

Once affected by mould, it can be almost impossible to completely eradicate the stain from a nappy. Frequently the only thing that may fade mould stains (and this over a period of time) is exposure to direct sunlight.

So prevention is key! Here is a quick guide to preventing mould on your nappies and in your home.

Make sure you wash at least every second day. Leaving nappies unwashed for any longer (especially in a sealed bucket or wet bag) makes them susceptible to all sorts of bacterial growth, including mould spores.
Look at where you keep your dirty nappies. Is it in a dark, humid corner of the laundry? Or up high on the bench with lots of air flowing around it?
To kill the mould, wash your nappies with half a cup of vinegar and line dry in direct sunlight, with affected side up to the sun.*
You may have mould in the seal of your washing machine which is contaminating your nappies and clothes. Give your washing machine a good clean every few months. To clean your machine, run it empty on a hot wash with half a cup of white vinegar.
Check the rest of your house for mould growth and expel it! Use a vinegar/water solution to wipe mould from ceilings, window sills and walls in the wet areas. A 50-50 solution is fine.
If you can’t get enough sun on your nappies to dry them completely, finish them off in the dryer, in front of a heater or underneath a fan.

*Please Note: Don’t use vinegar on a regular basis as it can damage the waterproofing and elastic of your nappies. Unless your shells actually have mould on them, please don’t include them in the vinegar wash.

DO

Clean your nappy bucket/bag between each load and leave your bucket out in the sun.
Leave your washing machine open when not in use, to ensure plenty of air flow.
Wash every day until the mould issue is under control.
Dry pail as much as possible. If you need to rinse a soiled nappy, leave it in the laundry tub rather than enclosing it in the pail.
Make sure your nappies are completely dry. In humid climates, this might mean a short spell in the dryer after they’ve come off the line.

DON’T

Never use bleach as it can disintegrate the bamboo fibre and cause irritation to your baby.
Never leave your nappies in the machine overnight. It is much better to wash earlier in the evening and get them on the line; you’ll also get a head start on the next morning.
Don’t overfill your machine. Give your nappies lots of room to move and clean properly.