| Babies' nappies require careful laundering, but there are | | | | the ends before soaking them separately. |
| various ways of reducing the amount of washing. You | | | | You need only boil nappies from time to time to keep |
| can use a nappy-washing service, if there is one | | | | them white (unless your baby suffers with nappy rash, |
| available in your area or you can buy disposable | | | | when they should be boiled every time). Start by |
| nappies which are used by themselves or with | | | | dissolving soapflakes or detergent thoroughly in warm |
| ordinary ones. The actual washing becomes easier if | | | | water; add the nappies, bring to the boil and boil for |
| you have a washing machine of the type which will | | | | 5-10 minutes. Then rinse in cold water. |
| heat the water and boil when necessary. It should | | | | When possible, dry nappies in the open air, as this |
| have a capacity of about 6 lb dry weight, or be able to | | | | helps to keep them soft and sweet. If you have little |
| wash smaller loads than its maximum capacity. | | | | room for drying, a spin-dryer will reduce the drying time. |
| If you have to wash by hand, wear rubber gloves so | | | | A tumble dryer will dry articles completely (the |
| that the water can be really hot. The washing process | | | | nappies must be wrung out or spundried first) and the |
| should be started as soon as the nappies are | | | | tumbling process will soften the nappies. There are |
| removed. Put the wet ones to soak in a covered | | | | also inexpensive heated dryers, both cabinets and |
| bucket of cold water to which has been added the | | | | foldaway models, but these are not automatic, so the |
| correct proportion of antiseptic (see the | | | | nappies will need turning and shaking to ensure even |
| manufacturer's instructions for exactamount). This | | | | drying and softness. |
| reduces the need for boiling each time and helps the | | | | Keep the nappies in a warm place after laundering, so |
| subsequent washing. | | | | that they are always aired and ready for use. |
| Flush soiled nappies in the lavatory pan (holding on to | | | | |