You can wash your cloth nappies daily, every second day or less frequently, depending on the number of nappies you have and your personal preferences. For best results, especially with
modern cloth nappies check the recommended washing instructions to maintain the quality and life of the nappy.
Nappies (and cloth liners) that are soiled need to have any poo washed off them, so it can be flushed down the toilet. Some parents use a hand-held water sprayer to help remove poo and rinse additional residue off the nappy and into the toilet. There are also products on the market that entail a high pressure spray gun attached to the existing toilet plumbing. These spray poo off nappies very efficiently, straight into the toilet bowl and can be easily attached to most toilet systems, usually not requiring a plumber.
Place the nappy in the solution. They will need to soak for a few hours (or overnight) before washing. When it is time to wash, drain off the soaking liquid and put the nappies on a preferably hot water cycle to fully rinse them. You don't need to add extra washing detergent or softener (although some mothers do). Just be aware that any chemicals from the detergents or softeners can irritate your baby's skin, if not rinsed adequately.
Wet nappies and rinsed soiled nappies can be either placed into a bucket filled with water (possibly mixed with a nappy sanitising detergent) for soaking, or stored in a bucket without water (known as dry pailing), until you are ready to wash them.
Soaking Nappies
The traditional method of soaking nappies entails placing wet nappies and rinsed soiled nappies into a bucket filled with water, usually mixed with a nappy sanitising/bleaching solution. Nappy buckets need to be quite large and should come with a well-fitting lid. This contains the contents, reduce odours and safeguards against young inquisitive children from touching or drinking the water or falling in and drowning.