Real Cotton Nappies
Better for baby, better for you, better for the environment!
NEW - Warrington Borough Council's guide to: real cotton nappies and incentive schemes
Each day, 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away in Britain. The majority of these end up in landfill.
Real cotton nappies are a more environmentally friendly option – they’re reusable, easier to use than old fashioned terry nappies and they can save you money!
Why use real cotton nappies?
They’re better for baby
- Cotton nappies are naturally absorbent and don’t rely on chemicals and absorbent gels like disposable nappies do.
- Cotton nappies allow the skin to breath and keep it cool, disposable nappies become hotter when they are soiled because of the chemical reactions.
- The fit and padding of cotton nappies promotes correct hip development and are often recommended for babies with ‘clicky hips’. They also pad and protect the lower spine from falls when they’re learning to walk.
- Using cotton nappies, whether you wash them yourself or use a nappy laundry service, means you can change the baby as often as you like with no extra cost.
- Babies wearing cotton nappies are potty trained 6-12 months earlier than those wearing disposable nappies.
They’re better for you
- Using cotton nappies can save you between £400 - £600 from birth to potty training.
- They’re easy to use! Modern cotton nappies fasten with Velcro so there’s no need for pins, they can be machine washed at 60°C, and the biodegradable liners can be flushed down the toilet.
- There are many styles of nappies to choose from and nappy laundry services are also available.
- You can use cotton nappies as many times as you need without additional cost.
They’re better for the environment 
- 3.5 billion disposable nappies are used in Britain each year, most end up in landfill sites were they take up to 500 years to decompose.
- Every year 7 million trees are felled for the manufacture of disposable nappies, that’s about 4.5 trees for each child.
- It takes a cup of crude oil to produce the plastic for one disposable nappy.
- In households with a baby, nappies can make up about half the volume of the weekly bin.
- Used nappies can contain more than 100 enteric viruses, including those that cause hepatitis and polio. These can survive for days in landfill sites, posing added health risks.
Home washing or a nappy laundry service?
- Home washing – Buying and washing your own nappies can save you up to £600 for your first child!
- Nappy laundry service – a nappy laundry service supplies you with as many nappies as you need and basic equipment such as a storage bin. The used nappies are collected on a weekly basis, washed to hospital laundering standards, and clean nappies are delivered to your home.
Council incentive schemes
Warrington Borough Council are offering a 75% discount off nappy starter packs for home laundry and an introductory offer to the ‘Cotton Tails’ nappy laundry service.
For further information contact Jo Petty on (01925) 442604 or e-mail jpetty@warrington.gov.uk
How much could you save?
Disposable nappies cost between £900 - £1350 from birth to potty training.
Home laundry of cotton nappies can save you up to £600 (depending on the brand of disposable nappy you are comparing it to). This includes the cost of daily washing and tumble drying.
Tips to reduce the environmental impact of cotton nappies
- Both disposable and cotton nappies have an environmental impact. However using real cotton nappies puts parents in control, and with a good washing routine can minimise environmental impacts and save money.
- Wash nappies at 60°C and wraps at 40°C. Do not boil.
- Use A-rated energy efficient appliances to reduce energy and water consumption.
- Minimise tumble drying - line dry or use an airer.
- Don't use fabric conditioner - it is unnecessary and it reduces absorbency.
- Use eco-friendly washing powders.
- Try to potty train earlier, around two years of age.
- Don't iron nappies.
- Don't soak nappies - store them in a lidded bucket.
- Extend the life of your nappies - use them for more than one child or give/sell them to someone else.
The Environment Agency's Life Cycle Assessment Report investigated the environmental impacts of disposable and traditional cotton nappies. Click the following link to view an information leaflet about the report.
Your questions answered
If I use cotton nappies, will my baby be prone to nappy rash?
No, nappy rash isn’t caused by the type of nappy used but by a number of factors such as, leaving a nappy on too long, teething and diet change.
Do cotton nappies leak more than disposable nappies?
Cotton nappies have a snug fit around the waist and legs, and there are cotton boosters and waterproof outer wraps available which increases absorbency and give more protection against leaks. Cotton nappies are generally very reliable, especially those with separate covers.
Why are children in cloth nappies generally potty trained earlier?
Disposable nappies create an artificially dry environment, so it’s more difficult for a child to learn the connection between bladder release and a wet nappy.
Useful web sites
General information:
www.wen.org.uk
www.realnappycampaign.com
www.lizziesrealnappies.co.uk
www.babygroe.co.uk
Nappy laundry service:
