Any bucket with a lid and strong handle will do as a nappy bin. If you are going to soak your nappies, ensure the lid can be locked shut to prevent children from investigating inside the bin. If you only intend to wash nappies every other day, or less frequently, you will need a large bucket or several smaller ones.
Most nappy manufacturers no longer recommend using a commercial nappy sanitiser like 'Miltons' or 'Steri-nappy' as this affects both PVC and PUL wraps, Velcro, and elastics. Most commercial nappy sanitisers are designed to be used on their own, without the need to wash nappies afterwards (only rinsed). If you want to wash your nappies in the washing machine and you want to soak, I'd recommend you only use one of the recipes on the 'Make Your Own' page. To make dry pailing easier, put a mesh bag into the empty bin. You can then simply remove the entire nappy mesh and put it in your washing machine. This prevents you having to touch the soiled nappies again. Wet nappies can be placed straight into a dry nappy bin (called dry pailing). Dirty or soiled nappies need to be rinsed out. This helps to prevent bacteria from multiplying and smells from developing. To rinse a soiled nappy, hold one corner or edge firmly and rinse it under the strongest part of your toilet flush. If you have a weak flushing toilet, you can rinse it in your basin, but then remember to wash it out as even minute amounts of poo left behind can build up and cause illness. You can also use the toilet brush to scrape any solid waste off the nappy. Ensure that your PUL wraps and all-in-one nappies do not sit in water for any length of time as this destroys their water-proofing. If you are going to soak your nappies then keep your wraps in a separate (dry) container. Put a few drops of lavender oil (or other fragrant oil) onto a damp folded muslin. Keep the folded muslin on top of the soiled nappies to help prevent smells from the bin escaping. After removing your nappies to be washed, wash your nappy bin out. Then rinse it with a solution of a few drops of a sterilising essential oil in a little water (see 'Make Your Own' for list). This will sterilise your bin and help to prevent smells. Nappies with micro-fleece liners do not stain. With other nappies, if you're worried about staining, keep a bottle of stain remover at your nappy change station and put some on before you put the nappy in the nappy bin. |
