If you’ve spent any time in cloth nappy groups, you’ve probably seen the terms stripping and resetting thrown around, often with strong opinions attached. We’ve written a bit about each term and what they involve for you to keep on-hand!
What is Stripping?
Stripping is the process of removing buildup from nappies - things like detergent residue, minerals from hard water, or leftover waste. It usually involves repeated rinsing or soaking until the nappies are fully clean at a deep level.
What is Resetting?
Resetting typically refers to a more targeted deep clean, often using a specific treatment (like a sanitising wash) to bring nappies back to a good baseline. Think of these as a “mini-strip”.
Most of the time, you don’t need to do either. If your wash routine is solid, you shouldn’t have issues requiring either a reset or strip. This means:
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Using powder detergent (gel can build up a layer on your nappies that increases overtime) and never using fabric softener.
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Washing at 40 degrees, with the occasional warmer wash if needed.
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Not overloading your wash (no more than 75% of the drum should be full, just like when you wash your clothes)
When stripping might be needed:
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Nappies smell clean out of the wash but develop odour quickly when used
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Persistent leaks despite good fit
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You’ve been underdosing detergent or using unsuitable products
When resetting makes sense:
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You’ve bought second-hand nappies
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Nappies have been stored for a long time
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There’s a known hygiene concern
