Getting Started with Cloth Nappies: The Honest Guide for Curious Parents

You're here. Good.

Maybe you saw one of our posts. Maybe a friend won't stop talking about her cloth nappies. Maybe you just Googled "are cloth nappies actually worth it" at 2am with a baby on your chest and a disposable in the bin that cost you 60 cents.

Whatever got you here, welcome. You don't need to have it all figured out. Nobody does at the start. This guide will answer the questions bouncing around your head, walk you through the basics, and help you work out what makes sense for your family.

No guilt. No pressure. No judgement. Just the stuff you actually want to know, from a team of parents who've been exactly where you are right now.

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Why Are Parents Actually Switching to Cloth?

Nobody switches for one single reason. It's usually a few things stacking up until you can't ignore them anymore.

The waste is wild. Your average baby goes through roughly 6,000 disposable nappies before toilet training. Every single one of them still exists somewhere in a landfill. They take an estimated 200 to 500 years to break down. Once you see that number, it's hard to unsee it.

The cost adds up fast. Australian families spend somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000 per child on disposables. Cloth nappies cost a fraction of that, and you can reuse them for your next baby (and the one after that, and the one after that).

Your baby's skin might thank you for it. Disposable nappies contain a mix of chemicals, gels, and fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin. Modern cloth nappies are made from soft, breathable fabrics like bamboo and organic cotton. A lot of parents notice fewer rashes after making the switch.

And the big one? Once you find your groove, cloth nappies are just not that hard. More on that below.

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These Are Not Your Nan's Nappies

If your brain immediately went to a white terry square and a safety pin, we don't blame you. That image is seared into the collective parenting brain. But cloth nappies have had a serious glow up.

Today's cloth nappies snap on and off just like a disposable. No folding. No pins. No faffing. Our Mimi® Originals 2.0 fit from birth right through to toilet training (roughly 2.5kg to 20kg), so you're not upsizing every few months like you would with disposables.

They're packed with features that actually matter: our FlexAdjust® system gives you 60 different fit combinations so you can dial it in perfectly as your baby grows. The PoonamiProtector™ barrier stops those explosive up-the-back moments (you know the ones). And the athletic wicking jersey lining keeps your baby feeling dry and comfortable between changes.

These nappies are Shark Tank approved, backed by 2,600+ parent reviews, and designed right here in Australia. Not even in the same universe as what your nan used.

Not ready to commit? Try a Mimi® nappy at half price with code TRIALNAPPY at checkout. Limited to one per customer, just so you can see what all the fuss is about.

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The Three Types You Need to Know About

There are a few different styles out there, but honestly, you only need to know three. Here's the quick version.

All-in-Two (AI2)

Like our Mimi® Originals 2.0. A waterproof shell with separate inserts that lay in or snap in. The clever part? You can reuse the shell between changes and just swap the insert. Fewer nappies needed, slimmer fit under clothes, and the easiest entry point for most families. This is what the majority of our customers start with.

Prefolds and Flats

Like our Organic Cotton Preflats. A flat piece of absorbent fabric that you fold to fit, paired with a separate waterproof cover. The most budget-friendly option, super quick to dry, and dead simple. Great if you're watching your spend.

Fitted Nappies

Like our Night Nappies. Shaped with elasticated legs and waist, fully absorbent, no waterproof layer built in. You pair them with a cover. These are the go-to for overnight because you can pack in maximum absorbency. We have options for average wetters and heavy wetters so you can match what your baby actually needs.

Can't decide? Our Day & Night Trial Bundle includes a day nappy, a night nappy, and a wipeable cover so you can test drive the full experience before going all in.

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How Many Do You Actually Need?

This is always one of the first questions, and the answer is simpler than you'd think.

Full-time cloth: 20 to 24 nappies. Enough to rotate through washes comfortably without ever running short.

Part-time (cloth at home, disposables when out or at daycare): 8 to 12 nappies. Loads of families do this and it works brilliantly.

Just testing the waters: 4 to 6 nappies. Even one cloth nappy a day keeps 365 disposables out of landfill per year. That adds up.

We wrote a full deep dive on how many nappies your baby actually goes through if you want all the maths.

Want to grab everything in one go? Our Full Time Stash saves you $684 compared to buying individually. Or browse all bundle options here.

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The Washing Routine (This Is the Part Everyone Worries About)

Let's get this out of the way: washing cloth nappies is not a big deal. No soaking. No scrubbing. No weird potions. Your washing machine does the work.

Here's the whole routine.

Step 1: Remove the solids. If your baby is on solids, knock the poo into the toilet. If they're exclusively breastfed, skip this step entirely. Breastfed poo is water soluble.

Step 2: Store in a dry pail. Toss the used nappy into a basket or bucket. No water, just dry. Store for up to 24 hours.

Step 3: Pre-wash. Run a short cycle (30 to 60 minutes) at 40 to 60°C with detergent. This shifts the bulk of the mess.

Step 4: Main wash. Run a long cotton cycle (2 to 3 hours) at 40 to 60°C with detergent.

Step 5: Dry. Hang on the line or tumble dry on low heat.

That's it. Five steps, two of which are just pressing a button on your washing machine. Most parents wash every one to two days and it becomes as automatic as doing a load of towels.

For the full guide including detergent recommendations and troubleshooting, head to our How to Wash Cloth Nappies page. And if you want to make sure your machine is running clean, here's how to properly clean your washing machine for cloth nappies.

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What About When You're Out?

This is the second most common worry. The answer is simple: wet bags.

A wet bag is a waterproof zip-up bag. Dirty nappy goes in, zip it up, and that's it. No leaks, no smell. When you get home, throw the whole bag (nappies and all) straight into the wash.

Think about it this way: it's the same as carrying a dirty disposable to a bin, except you skip the bin.

We have sizes from small (fits in your nappy bag) to large (holds a full day's worth). They're one of those things you don't know you need until you have one. Then you wonder how you ever managed without it.

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Getting the Fit Right

A good fit is everything. It's the difference between "cloth nappies are brilliant" and "cloth nappies leaked all over the car seat."

You want the nappy snug but not tight around the waist, with the leg elastics sitting in the underwear line (the crease where thigh meets body). No fabric poking out, no gaps. Our Mimi® nappies have 60 snap combinations through the FlexAdjust® system, so you can fine-tune as your baby grows and changes shape.

Head to our Fitting Your Nappies page for the full visual guide. Worth a quick look before your first use. And if you need help prepping your new nappies before that first wash, we've got a guide for that too.

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Nights Are a Different Game

Your baby is in a night nappy for 10 to 12 hours straight, so you need more absorbency and a rock-solid fit.

Our night nappy range was built specifically for this. We have options for average wetters and heavy wetters so you're not guessing. Pair them with a wool cover or wipeable cover for leak-proof overnight protection.

For the full rundown on building the perfect night setup, check out our Complete Night Time Guide, our guide to fitting night nappies, and our post on customising absorbency for your baby's needs.

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Leaks, Blowouts, and Rashes

They happen with every type of nappy, cloth or disposable. Most cloth nappy "problems" come down to fit or absorbency, and both are easy to fix.

Our PoonamiProtector™ barrier was designed for those explosive up-the-back moments. And because cloth nappies use natural, breathable fabrics, a lot of parents actually notice fewer rashes after switching.

If you run into trouble, our guide on preventing leaks, blowouts, and rashes covers every common fix.

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A Few Extras That Make Life Easier

You don't need much to get started, but these are worth knowing about.

Reusable bamboo wipes. If you're already washing nappies, adding reusable wipes to the load is a no-brainer. Soft, effective, and they go straight in the wash with everything else. We also have a reusable wipes container to keep them within reach.

Nappy liners. Sit on top of the nappy and make solids cleanup even easier. Especially handy when you're still getting used to the routine.

Extra inserts and boosters. For heavy wetters or longer stretches between changes. Extra absorbency without extra bulk.

Wet bags. Already covered above, but worth repeating. Your best friend for nappy changes on the go.

Browse everything in our accessories collection.

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You Don't Have to Be Perfect at This

This is the bit we really want you to hear.

You don't have to go full-time cloth to make a difference. Cloth at home and disposables at daycare? Brilliant. Cloth during the day and a disposable overnight? Brilliant. One single cloth nappy per day? That's still 365 fewer disposables in the bin every year. Brilliant.

There is no cloth nappy police. Nobody is keeping score. The fact that you're reading this page at all tells us you care, and that is more than enough.

Start wherever feels comfortable. Most of our customers begin with a trial nappy or a small bundle and build up from there as their confidence grows. That's exactly how it should be.

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Three Ways to Get Started Today

Try one nappy. Grab a Mimi® Trial Nappy at half price with code TRIALNAPPY. One per customer. Zero risk.

Try day and night. Our Day & Night Trial Bundle gives you a day nappy, a night nappy, and a wipeable cover. Everything you need for a proper test drive.

Go all in. The Full Time Stash has everything from birth to toilet training and saves you $684.

Or browse all our bundles and pick the one that fits your family.

Questions? We're here. Reach out via our contact page or explore our full resource library for guides on washing, fitting, night nappies, and everything in between.

You've got this. And we've got you.

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Keep Reading

• • Born Into Plastic: The Truth About What's Inside a Disposable Nappy
  • The Real Cost of Disposable Nappies in Australia
  • How to Prep Your Cloth Nappies for First Use
  • PUL vs TPU: Why Old Cloth Nappy Advice Could Ruin Your Stash
  • How to Wash Cloth Nappies
  • Fitting Your Nappies
  • Complete Night Time Guide