Tips for Managing Cloth Nappies Over the Winter Months

Winter can make cloth nappying feel a little trickier – drying times are slower, the weather is damp, and laundry routines may need tweaking. But don’t worry – with a few simple changes, using cloth nappies during the colder months can still be easy and effective. Here's everything you need to know.

Why Winter Can Challenge Cloth Nappy Users

Winter can make cloth nappying feel a little trickier – drying times are slower, the weather is damp, and laundry routines may need tweaking. But don’t worry – with a few simple changes, using cloth nappies during the colder months can still be easy and effective. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why Winter Can Challenge Cloth Nappy Users

During winter, parents often face:

Longer drying times for nappies

Increased indoor humidity

Less sunlight exposure for natural stain removal

Concerns about odour or mould

The good news? You don’t have to switch to disposables. These handy tips will help you keep your cloth nappy routine running smoothly.

So here’s our top tips for managing cloth nappies over the cooler months.

1. Use a Clothes Airer Near a Heat Source

If you can’t hang your nappies outside, a portable clothes airer is your best friend. Place it near a heat source like:

A sunny window

A heater (safe distance, of course)

A dehumidifier

Pro Tip: A fan or dehumidifier in the same room speeds up drying and helps prevent musty smells.

2. Use a Heated Towel Rack

This was a game changer for us living in the cold Adelaide Hills. Those lovely warm towel rails in your bathroom make the perfect drying rail for your cloth natural fabrics. Just make sure they arent too hot (ie over 70 degrees) otherwise you will damage your PUL/elastics.

Even bathrooms with under floor heating are great – just pop your clothes drying rack in the bathroom and let the warmth do its thing. Just make sure there isn’t any steam/moisture in the room so during the day when the bathroom isn’t being used is the best time.

3. Choose Quick-Drying Nappy Styles

Pocket style nappies like the All in Two are the quickest when it comes to drying. Unfortunately the more absorbent nappies like Nights & Fitteds need the layers to maximise absorbency, but day time nappies your All in Two styles is best as the inserts can be fully removed, and the pockets boosted with anything.

4. Use the Dryer – when you have to!

Yes using a dryer isnt as environmentllay friendly, but when youre down to your last nappies in your stash being clean then sometimes you’ve got to do what you need to do.

All inserts, fitted nappies, all in one, ecopads can be dried in the dryer. Use a LOW temp to avoid damaging the PUL layers or elastics. Also highly recommend adding in some wool dryer balls ( 8 is my perfect number) quick fluffs everything u and keeps them soft, and reduces drying time by about 30%.