Our 6 Top Tips For Travelling With Reusable Nappies
Traveling with reusable nappies can feel like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you want to make your travels more sustainable and reap the benefits of making the switch to cheaper and more comfortable nappies for your child, this is how you do it.
1. Choose the Right Nappies
First things first, make sure you choose the right nappies for your trip. You should pack reusable nappies that are space-efficient, easy to wash, and quick-drying.
If you’re staying overnight, you will need to pack bulkier night nappies, but this is worth sacrificing some storage space for.
You should also consider how many nappies your baby goes through, and therefore how many you will need for the trip (including spares).
2. Pack Wet Bags
To maintain good hygiene and prevent unpleasant smells from escaping the used nappies, wet bags are essential. You should have one for clean and one for dirty nappies, or a double wet bag that has two pockets (one for each).
These waterproof bags are often machine washable, so you can chuck them in to clean with your used nappies and wipes. Packing cubes are also great for keeping nappies and wipes organized.
3. Use Nappy Liners Or Wraps
To avoid leaks or getting poop directly on your reusable nappies, you should use boosters, liners, and nappy wraps.
- Boosters add another layer of absorbency to your nappies.
- Wraps also provide a waterproof layer to stop moisture from soaking through.
- Liners can often contain most of the mess, which you can then flush and toss. This keeps your cloth diapers much cleaner and, in some cases, able to be (re)used for longer.
4. Locate Washing Machines
If you’re going on a short break, you might not need to do any washing at all. Instead, you can bring your dirty nappies back home and wash them as normal. However, if you’re on a longer trip or otherwise think you’ll need to wash your nappies, it’s good to plan ahead.
Think about where you’re staying on your trip, and where you can use a washing machine to clean your nappies.
- If you’re staying in a rental apartment (or Airbnb), use their washing machine if they have one.
- If you’re staying with family or friends, ask if you can use their machine ahead of time.
- If you’re staying in a hotel, resort, or guesthouse, you can use the laundry room — even campsites often have these facilities on site.
- If none of these are available to you, locate a nearby laundromat or laundry service to have your nappies washed and dried.
- As a final resort, you can use a Scrubba Bag, designed for travelers, to achieve a machine-quality wash in minutes.
You can hand-wash nappies but this should be a last resort. Just make sure to give them a machine wash when you get home.
If you have a preferred detergent that you want to bring with you (and that you won’t be able to find on your travels), measure how much you’ll need based on how many washes you estimate you’ll do. Likewise, if you’re planning to dry your clothes, make sure you allocate some “drying time” to your schedule — and pack a travel washing line if you need one. Depending on your washing style, other essentials might include a sink plug and rubber latex gloves.
5. Don’t Forget Your Accessories
Don’t forget additional items such as baby wipes, a changing pad, and a nappy bucket (if you need them). You could also consider packing a high-pressure travel spray that can help you to rinse your nappies before you wash them. Alternatively, in countries where they are commonplace, you can use a bidet.
6. Biodegradable Disposables
Don’t feel bad if you feel nervous to travel with reusables. You can take a few disposable nappies in case you need them, or even buy some when you’re there. Try to opt for biodegradable disposables though. Although these aren’t as sustainable as cloth, they are better for the planet than regular disposables.
suppliers of reusable nappies and wipes that have been designed, developed, and tested by real parents.
