After researching the environmental impacts of cloth versus disposable nappies I have been keen to find a way of going green, which doesn’t involve hours of extra work.
There are definitely benefits to both nappy types. My mum recounted to me a story she had read in the news about toddlers turning up to playgroup not potty trained. This was put down to the fact that today’s disposable nappies draw the moisture away from a baby’s skin meaning they are unable to tell when they have a wet bum. In previous terry towelling clad generations this would not have been happened. On the other hand, if the baby doesn’t feel wet you may get away with changing the nappy less often, plus the fact you don’t have to added laundry associated with cloth nappies.
Aware of the pro’s and con’s we have tried out reusables and several types of disposable eco-nappies including:
Cloth
Towelling squares.
Bambooty – reusable bamboo cloth nappies.
Disposable eco-nappies
Bambo nature
Moltex econappy
Seventh generation
Click on each of the above to get a low down of how they performed.
The towelling cloth nappies were easier than expected to use and the modern reusables provided convenience and reduced the bulk of towelling nappies.
Whilst the three disposable nappies trialled all performed well, in the Midi size range Bambo Nature were cheapest, as such provided the best value for money. Moltex are slightly cheaper in the larger sizes (maxi and above), so would probably give better value for money as the baby grows.
Green Beings verdict
With the benefit of a whole two months experience of being a parent I have found through trial and error that a combination of cloth and eco disposables works out best for the little pipsqueak and me. We aim to use cloth nappies most of the time to lower our environmental impacts, but there are situations where disposable nappies are required, such as when we are out and about. Using disposable nappies means we don’t have to carry dirty nappies around for the day. Disposable nappies or slimmer fitting modern cloth nappies are also best suited when doing activities as they are less bulky than towelling nappies. Putting a towelling clad baby into a front carrier such as a baby bjorn has proven to be a bit of a squeeze.
As for disposable eco-nappies, they do cost more than the supermarket brands plus they are more difficult to get hold of. Having said that you are paying for peace of mind, whether it is because you are concerned about the chemicals your child is exposed to or the impacts that nappy production and disposal has on the environment. The costs to the environment and your hip pocket can be further reduced by using them in conjunction with reusable cloth nappies.
Towelling squares
| Cost | $20 for 12 basic cotton squares. Bamboo, organic cotton and hemp versions are available which are slightly higher in price.
Cloth squares also need ‘pilchers’ over the top and a nappy pin or snappi. |
| Features | The flat toweling squares are easily stored and there are various folding techniques depending on the sex and size of the baby. They also dry quickly on the line. They are also great for wiping up baby sick! Wet nappies can go straight in the washing machine. Soiled nappies need to be soaked. Washing in warm temperatures removes bacteria and washing is more eco-friendly if washed in a full load with eco-friendly detergent. Line drying is recommended to minimize environmental impacts. |
| Trial Results | Once I learnt how to fold nappies (from a video on YouTube), using these became so much easier once I got hold of a Snappi as I struggled with blunt nappy pins. Nappies need to be folded before use which can take a bit of time, but gets quicker once you get the hang of it. The toweling nappies appear to be comfortable for the baby providing the elastic on the pilchers is not too tight. The baby does appear to feel more uncomfortable when wet compared to disposables and the nappies are more bulky (particularly on newborns). Washing didn’t seem too much of a chore. Soiled nappies needed a bit of a pre-wash soak, but wet nappies went straight in the washing machine. Nappies dried quickly on the line or clothes horse. |
| Green Beings Verdict | Towelling nappies are cheap and can be used from newborn through to toddler as one size fits all. Easy to use in the home, but the bulk means disposables or more snug modern reusables are more convenient for going out. |
Bambooty (small size trialled)
| Cost | There are various types including the easy dry (with material flaps that open out) or easy peasy (with inbuilt absorbent layers). The cost ranges $20.95-24.95 depending on the design and type used. |
| Features | Nappies are made using certified organically grown cotton and eco-friendly bamboo. They consist of a waterproof outer layer and stain-proof suede cloth lines the nappy to keep the baby dry. The absorbent layers comprise 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton and micro fibre fabrics to increase absorbency. There are poppers on the front of the nappy so the size can be adjusted as the baby grows. |
| Trial Results | These were by far the coolest looking nappies. Both types, the easy peasy and easydry were trialled. The absorbency of the nappies improved the more they were used and additional absorbent layers can be added for night time. The multiple poppers mean the nappy can be made bigger as baby grows. Both the easy peasy and easydry styles dried surprisingly easily on the line or clothes horse. |
| Green Beings Verdict | These nappies were great for going out and about, as they are slim fitting, look great and the matching bags meant dirty nappies were easily managed. However they did spring the occasional leak around the legs the first few times they were worn. However, the absorbency was much better after they had been worn five or six times and leakages were minimal. Also the fabric seemed to draw the moisture from the skin so kept the bum drier than towelling nappies. The poppers mean the nappy can adjust as the baby grows. There are three nappy sizes; small (up to 7kg), medium (6-11.5kg) and large (from 10.5kg) so there is a cash outlay as the baby moves up a size. We found these nappies worked well in rotation with the other nappies particularly for going out or when a less bulky nappy is needed, which also keeps the costs down. |
Bambo Nature (mini and midi trialled)
| Cost | Newborn (2-4kg) – 28 nappies – $17.95 (64c each) Mini (3-6kg) – 30 nappies – $17.95 (60c each) Midi (5-10kg) – 56 nappies – $35.95 (64c each) Maxi (8-18kg) – 50 nappies – $39.95 (80c each) Junior (15-25kg) – 42 nappies – $42.95 (100c each) Maxi Plus (12-22kg) – 46 nappies – $42.95 (93c each) |
| Features | Cover – breathable polypropylene layer Backsheet – fabric feel polypropylene layer, polyethylene and calcium carbonate. Grip tabs – polypropylene Absorbent material – wheat starch and SAP (polyacrylate) Glue – resin and wax Elastication – elastothane No chlorine used in manufacture. Contains no perfumes or lotions. Nappy disposal – 75% biodegradable Outer packaging – is recyclable Printing – inks UNKNOWN Ecolabel – Nordic ecolabel |
| Trial Results | Easy to use, breathable, comfortable and kept baby dry. Leak guards effective and leakage only under extreme loads! |
| Green Beings Verdict | Great nappy and good value for money in the midi range. We love the fact that wheat starch has been used, minimising the quantity of SAP used. |
Moltex Econappy (Midi trialled)
| Cost | Mini (3-6kg) – 48 nappies – $29.95 (63c each) Midi (4-9kg) – 44 nappies – $31.95 (73c each) Maxi (7-18kg) – 42 nappies – $31.95 (76c each) Junior (11-25kg) – 36 nappies – $31.95 (89c each) |
| Features | Cover/topsheet/backsheet – wood pulp from plantation grown virgin fibre (renewables comprise 40% of the nappy) oxygen bleached Grip tabs – UNKNOWN (contain no phthalates) Absorbent material – Actyfill and SAP (polyacrylate) is used. Glue – UNKNOWN Elastication – UNKNOWN No chlorine used in manufacture. Contains no perfumes or lotions. Nappy disposal – More than 50% biodegradable Outer packaging – Compostable biobag which rots within a few weeks without residue or pollutants. Printing – inks UNKNOWN Ecolabel – Good Environmental Choice Australia |
| Trial Results | Easy to use, breathable, comfortable and kept baby dry. Leak guards effective and leakage only under extreme loads! |
| Green Beings Verdict | Great nappy very similar to Bambo Nature but slightly more expensive in the midi range. |
Seventh Generation (size 2 trialled)
| Cost | Size 1 (3.5-6.5kg) – 44 nappies – $32.95 (75c each) Size 2 (5.5-8kg) – 40 nappies – $32.95 (82c each) Size 3 (7-12.5kg) – 40 nappies – $32.95 (82c each) Size 4 (10-17kg) – 30 nappies – $32.95 (110c each) Size 5 (12kgs plus) – 26 nappies – $32.95 (127c each) Training pants (2-3 years) – 29 nappies – $32.95 (114c each) Training pants (3-4 years) – 26 nappies – $32.95 (127c each) |
| Features | Cover/topsheet/backsheet – wood pulp (unbleached) wood source UNKNOWN and polyolefin nonwoven fabric and film. Small amounts of blended colour pigments are used to give the nappies a tan colour and to distinguish them from bleached nappies. Grip tabs – UNKNOWN Absorbent material – SAP (polyacrylate) is used. Glue – UNKNOWN Elastication – Synthetic rubber elastic strands No chlorine used in manufacture. Contains no perfumes or lotions. Nappy disposal – % biodegradable is not documented. Outer packaging – Recyclable type 4 LDPE plastic. Printing – No printing on nappies No Ecolabel. |
| Trial Results | Slightly ‘shorter’ than Moltex and Bambo giving less of a ‘Harry high-pants’ effect. Easy to use, breathable, comfortable and kept baby dry. Leak guards effective and leakage only under extreme loads! |
| Green Beings Verdict | Effective nappy which fits very well. We liked the fact it had no images on the nappy itself which avoided the use of printing inks. It seems odd that the nappy is dyed a tan colour to give it more of an unbleached look, and as the producers say ‘to differentiate it from bleached products’. However, it is the most expensive of the three nappies trialled and almost 25% dearer than the cheapest nappy (Bambo) in this size range. |
We have just had a baby (2 weeks ago) and are trying to do the right thing in terms of nappies. Cloth nappies are great. We have been trialling various types and I’m happy so far and keen to get some more. Some of the one-size-fits all brands are still too bulky on our newborn which causes a bit of an issue when you try and fit the clothes around them. Brands like Bambooty and ittybitty are perfect, comfortable and simple. We are using half disposables and half cloth at the moment. We have found a few issues with the cloth nappies when they were brand new. The main one being that there were some small wee leakages but the absorbency of the nappies improved the more they were used.
We have, however, found that the nappies are starting to stain (rinsing solids off doesn’t seem to help and is a messy job) already but that could be because we are trying to use gentle eco friendly laundry detergent. But thumbs up to cloth nappies. Our nappy turnover is pretty high at the moment so the nappies will be paying for themselves in no time.
Great to hear your trialling efforts John! With regard to the staining, have you tried soaking them in a presoaker first? Or use bicarbonate of soda – Fill a nappy bucket half way; add a quarter of a cup of bicarbonate of soda. Stir to dissolve the bicarbonate soda. Add a few drops of tea tree oil and or lavender oil (both have natural antibacterial and anti fungal agents). Soak nappies in this overnight and wash normally. Or add to the bucket half a cup of baking soda and white vinegar. It works – our nappies have taken some hits and surprisingly they are still white!!
Mmmm. I don’t know that soaking is recommended for MCNs – most of my stains get bleached out by the sun. My second babe is 13 days old and I’m using a combination of disposables and fitted cloth (Kissaluvs and prefolds). My problem is that she hates being wet, and so will not settle if she is almost asleep but then wees in her cloth nappy…. her big sister was the same [sigh]
I’ve found Moltex and Seventh Generation disposables to be great – the Bambo don’t seem as comfy to me… the fastenings are stiffer. They are the most economical that I’ve found though…
Beth, thanks for your comments. There is another eco-disposable just out now (Oct 2010) http://www.littletakas.com. Apparently the worlds most biodegradable nappy, we are going to give them a go. Will post updates on the site.