Reusable nappies

What are real nappies?

Real nappies are reusable cloth nappies. They come in various styles and gorgeous designs and are easy to use. They are almost identical to using disposables. The nappy change is the same, but instead of putting a disposable into a rubbish bin, you put the nappy into your washing machine.

Learn about the cloth nappies on the market (.pdf format, 3 MB) to find out what works for you.

Your baby's health

Your baby is less likely to suffer from nappy rash in a cloth nappy because everything is breathable. Regularly changing your baby's nappy is more important in keeping nappy rash away than the type of nappy you use.

Cost

If you use the basic cloth option, you'll quickly save money on disposal nappies. Choosing the more expensive will take a little longer to see cost savings. Cloth nappies could last your baby from 8lb to 35lb, depending on the style you choose. So once bought, there is no more outlay apart from the liners.

You can save more by buying second-hand and using the nappies on a second baby. 

Even with the cost of washing, you could see savings.

Easier than you think to use

Real nappies have never been so easy. No folding or pinning is needed; they go on and off like disposable nappies in seconds. 

Real nappies only need a warm wash, and many nappies made from modern fabrics come out of the washing machine almost dry.

Which nappies are better for the environment?

Unlike disposables, real nappies allow parents to control their impact on the environment. The carbon savings are directly related to how you choose to wash them.

The life cycle analysis for disposable nappies versus reusable nappies still shows reusables to be the better option. However, certain behaviours and variables can alter those environmental benefits. It's still important to be aware of them. A detailed analysis can be found in the Life Cycle Initiative Report produced by United Nations Environment Programme.

Care instructions

Washing

Run your nappies, inserts, boosters, wet bags, and wipes on a cold rinse wash first of all with no detergent to remove the excess wee and poo.

Reduce the temperature on the main wash. Either 40 degrees (bio or non-bio) or 60 degrees (non-bio) will suffice. If you don't have many nappies, you can top the machine up with clothes.

Drying

Air dry reusable nappies, rather than use a tumble dryer. It's inevitable that electricity has to be used when washing the nappies, but we can reduce electricity consumption by not using a tumble dryer.

Reuse

Reuse the nappies as many times as possible, either with further children or by selling or donating them after use. You could also purchase second-hand nappies.  

Try real nappies with our loan scheme

If you live in Oxfordshire and would like to try real nappies, you can borrow a trial kit without obligation to buy.

Each kit contains a good range of styles and brands of nappies, with all the necessary accessories. They are held by local nappy suppliers and community groups, who will explain how the nappies work before you get started.

Contact your nearest kit holder directly to arrange your trial.

Bicester and surrounding area

The Bicester Nappy Library offers two trial packs. For more information or to borrow a kit, email bicester.cloth.nappies@outlook.com.

Didcot, Wallingford and surrounding area

Bryony holds a trial pack for parents in this area, email bryony@slingsbee.co.uk.

Oxford

Oxon Cloth Nappy Library has four kits. Visit their website for more information and to hire cloth nappies. Email oxonclothnappylibrary@gmail.com with questions about cloth nappies.

Woodcote

Rebecca runs the Woodcote Nappy Library and has two nappy kits to loan out. For more information, email woodcotenappylibrary@gmail.com.

Reusable Nappy Week prize draw and terms and conditions

For Reusable Nappy Week, we are running a prize draw for three Oxfordshire residents to be in with a chance of winning a pack of reusable cheeky wipes.

To be in with a chance of winning, send a direct message with your pledge from the list below and whether you are an Oxfordshire resident to our Oxfordshire Recycles Facebook Messenger. The pledges can be found in the full terms and conditions below.

On Oxfordshire Recycles Facebook we will be running a prize draw for Oxfordshire residents to be involved in. Participants should submit one from the five pledges listed.

1. I pledge to start incorporating reusable wipes into my nappy change routine
2. I pledge to incorporate reusable wipes into my family's routine at least 4 times per week
3. I pledge to replace single-use with reusable wipes
4. I pledge to find other uses for reusable wipes around the home as well as using them with my children
5. I pledge…[insert a similar pledge of your choice]

The competition will run from Monday 27 April to Monday 4 May 2026.

Terms and Conditions for our Reusable Wipes Prize Draw

1. No purchase is necessary, and the competition is free to enter.
2. Entrants must be 16 years or older
3. Entrants must be Oxfordshire residents
4. To enter, the entrant’s must select and send a pledge from the selection above by direct message to Oxfordshire Recycles Facebook Messenger:
   1. The competition will be advertised on Oxfordshire Recycles’ Facebook page and website. Oxfordshire residents must submit a pledge via a direct message to Oxfordshire Recycles, confirming if they live in Oxfordshire. The opening date for entries will be from Monday 27 April 2026 when the post is live at 10am.
   2. The closing date for entries is midnight on Monday 4 May 2026. Late entries will not be considered.
   3. 3 winners will be chosen at random on Tuesday 5 May.
5. Each winner will receive the same prize; 1 x box of Cheeky Reusable Wipes. Each winner will be contacted via the Facebook Messenger account used to enter the competition and asked to provide an Oxfordshire residential address to post the prize to.
6. No cash alternatives are available, but we reserve the right to substitute the advertised prize for another of equal or greater value should the original become unavailable.
7. For each draw, we reserve the right to conduct a re-draw if the winner cannot be contacted within 48 hours. Winners will be notified of their win through the Facebook Messenger account used to enter. Winners’ names are available on written request to waste.management@oxfordshire.gov.uk marked for the attention of Rachel Townsend – #ReusableNappyWeek competition.
8. No entrant who is drawn at random as the winner shall be eligible to receive more than one prize. Should the same winner be drawn for more than one prize, a re-draw will be conducted.
9. The winner(s) may be required to take part in post event publicity. Names of successful winners to the competition may be published.
10. Oxfordshire Recycles reserves the right to cancel or amend this promotion due to events arising beyond its control. Oxfordshire Recycles nor its agents are responsible for third party acts or omissions.
11. Employees of the Recycling or Waste Management Teams at Oxfordshire Recycles’ partner councils, agents, their families or anyone professionally connected to the promotion are not eligible to win the prizes.
12. Entrants will only be contacted if they have won.
13. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating their agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions
14. The promoter of this competition is Oxfordshire County Council, whose decision regarding any aspect of this competition shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into.