Research into MCN

Hi there

Obviously I don't have a bubba just yet but I am keen to try cloth nappies when the time comes & have been doing lots of research on this forum & on the net in general. Trouble is, I'm still a tad confused but I will start with one question:

How much soaking do cloth nappies actually involve? I only ask b/c we don't have a laundry tub as DH removed it during one of his DIY weekends. I never thought of this being a potential issue when he started the renovations... but perhaps a bucket would suffice??

And my second Q: I see that the MCN systems involve a liner & the outer cover (I'm probably missing vital parts here!), how often do you need to wash the outer cover??

Thanks for putting up with my total ignorance on the subject but I really am trying

Edited by sally belly

sally belly wrote: How much soaking do cloth nappies actually involve? And my second Q: I see that the MCN systems involve a liner & the outer cover (I'm probably missing vital parts here!), how often do you need to wash the outer cover??

i dont soak my nappies at all, and some people i know rinse any waste off in their washing machine.

some people choose to use liners for their nappies but it isnt a necessity. some nappies require a cover but pocket nappies (which seem to be the most popular type) dont. covers dont need to be washed at every change unless they get dirty but pockets do.

the   snazzipants website has a great comparison chart and also explains a lot about the diff types (as well as brands) of nappies.

[QUOTE=sally belly] Hi there

And my second Q: I see that the MCN systems involve a liner & the outer cover (I'm probably missing vital parts here!), how often do you need to wash the outer cover??
QUOTE]

You are probably talking about a fitted and a cover... this is one type of option but there are also others. I personally don't have too much experince with fitteds as I use pockets but I don't think you need as many covers as nappies (I'm sure someone else will help you more with this)

Pockets are really easy to use. It is just 'one' nappy that forms a pocket between the outer, waterproof layer and the stay dry layer that goes against bubs bum. You then stuff the pocket with inserts that absorb the moisture. There are a few different types of inserts available.

Hope this helps! (it can seems quite daunting when you first start out)

gandt wrote: not quite accurate as it isnt the soaking that can damage nappies but rather what you are soaking them in. a lot of people use the dry pail method which entails chucking your nappies in an empty pail. The old fashioned method of throwing your dirty nappies into a pail of water is still alive and very practical.

Actually some fabrics don't respond well to being soaked in just plain old water reguarly either. It can speed up the deterioration of the fabric according to a couple of nappy suppliers that I've spoken to.

But tons of people still do it and each to their own

Or you could always hold on tight to the corner of the nappy whilst its over the toilet & flush lol

Not having any experience yet, this is good reading in prep for my washing routine.

If you dry pail do you use a stain remover & what kind. If you wet pail what do you use to soak & what detergent do you use in the machine? And how hot? Oh & while I'm asking all these Q's do you do a separate load for nappy stuff only?
TIA

Edited by Glow

Glow wrote: If you dry pail do you use a stain remover & what kind. If you wet pail what do you use to soak & what detergent do you use in the machine? And how hot? Oh & while I'm asking all these Q's do you do a separate load for nappy stuff only? TIA

Not sure about dry pailing, but I think some people use either Canesten or Dettol Fresh in the wash cycle as a sanitiser and chuck a few drops of titree oil in their pail to keep it fresh.

I soak mine in Napisan and just chuck them in with the rest of the baby clothes with 1/2 the dose of normal powder plus some dettol fresh and run it thru a cold cycle.

You could always ask our OHbaby! cloth nappy expert, Pippa here