Why Should I Use Real Nappies?   

Rubbish

8 million disposable nappies are thrown away every DAY in the UK. 96% of our household rubbish goes into landfill which is essentially a huge hole in the ground where we bury our rubbish. Landfill does not give anywhere near optimum conditions for anything to degrade, whether it is an apple or a nappy. It is estimated that plastics will take around 500 years to degrade, and this is one of the main components in disposable nappies. Landfill is predicted to run out in the next 5 to 10 years, so we need to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill and find other ways of dealing with our waste. 

Water and Energy

What you may not have considered is that the manufacture of disposable nappies uses up significant amounts of water, energy and non-renewable resources such as oil (for the plastic) and trees (for the wood pulp). Of course washing real nappies still has an impact on the environment, but studies have shown this to be far less than that of disposables as they are used only once. You also have control over how much of an impact you nappy washing has. You can choose to use a lower wash temperature, use eco-friendly detergents, a green electricity tariff, have an energy/water efficient washing machine, air dry rather than tumble dry. With conventional disposables you do not have the control over either it's manufacture or disposal. Eco-friendly disposables are a little more conscious in the manufacturing process, but they still have to go to landfill.

 Real Nappies Save You Money

It costs around £1000 per child for all the disposable nappies it will get through from birth to the average potty training age of 2 and a half, and that doesn't even include the nappy sacks and wipes most disposable nappy users use. Real nappies cost as little as £150 for all you need from birth to potty. Even the more popular nappies still only cost around £300, and with washing costing less than £1 per week, you will save hundreds of pounds by using them. You can save even more money by using real nappies on subsequent children.

Chemicals

Disposable nappies contain a super absorbent gel called sodium polyacrylate, plus perfumes and residues from the bleaching process. You can choose real nappies that are made from completely natural fabrics, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, wool and silk.

Real Nappies Are Easy!

Like many things, reusable nappies have changed a lot in the last 30 years since we wore them! Modern automatic washing machines mean that there is no need for soaking or boil washing. You wash nappies, like anything else, just select a 60 degree cycle and use non-biological powder/liquid and no fabric softener. Modern technology means that nappies are shaped to fit the baby with no need for folding and they fasten with Velcro or poppers, so putting on a real nappy does not need to be anymore difficult than putting on a disposable. Nappies can be tumble dried, but also line dry very quickly and new developments in fabric technology means that you can choose nappies that are super quick drying.

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