Teatree oil in wash? Cloth wipes?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Cloth Nappy Discussion
Forum Description: Are you new to cloth nappies? Looking for washing tips? Want to rave about a great new nappy you've tried? By popular request a board especially for all our cloth Mums!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=26631
Printed Date: 25 August 2025 at 3:01am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Teatree oil in wash? Cloth wipes?
Posted By: nztui
Subject: Teatree oil in wash? Cloth wipes?
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 12:30pm
|
Can I pick your brains?
I've heard that you can use teatree oil when washing nappies to add a fresh smell and also it has antibacterial properties? Does anyone do this? I'm curious to know how it works - how much to use??? Also, if you use a drop in nappy bucket to smell fresh where do you put the drop? I assumed it would stain nappies but maybe it doesn't? And, last question! I'm thinking of giving up using wetwipes and using cloth wipes which I imagine will be much more gentler and of course has less waste. I'd love to hear how other people do this -do you get fresh water each time? -do you add anything to water? -do you wash the clothes seperately or with nappies? -what do you use? (had heard lots of good things about chux clothes) Thanks so much! |
Replies:
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 12:37pm
|
Yep I use tea tree oil, just a couple of drops in the bottom of the bucket after I have washed it out (which I only do when it gets smelly cos I'm so slack).
Never had any trouble with it staining anything. In the wash I sometimes put a couple of drops in the part of the washer that you put softener but normally if my naps get smelly I add dettol in wash stuff instead. They only really get smelly if I don't dry them outside though. With the cloth wipes I use some cheap face cloths that I got from babycity and have also used the johnsons nappy liners as wipes (they look very much like chux clothes but I think they are woven a bit closer together so you are less likely to get poo on your finger...lol. I have one of those huggies wipes boxes which I fill with water and a few drops of tea tree oil and then I put the cloths in there so they are ready to go, I then parcel the cloths up in the nappies once used so they get washed with the nappies. HTH ------------- 
 
|
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:08pm
|
I used to use tea tree oil in the wash, I just added it into the compartment I put the washing powder in. I was never very technical, I just put a 'slosh' in, would have put just a few drops in but the neck of the bottle is quite wide and that never worked. I haven't used it for a while as I haven't got round to getting more
I have always used cloth wipes except when out, although I play to change this one I finish my wetwipes packet. I just bought some muslin from Spotlight, cut it into squares and overlocked the edges to stop fraying. I just wet them under the tap when I need to use them. I put them in the wash with my nappies, but then I also do a nappy only wash. The cloths have lasted well, have had them for 2yrs now and although the fabric has faded they haven't stained. I am going to make some more but mainly because baby #2 will be using them as well ------------- Lindsey 
|
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:21pm
|
I haven't used tea tree oil but always used cloth wipes on M. I mostly used cheap flannels too as I found the nappy liners started to disintegrate in the wash after a while but I was thinking of just buying some fabric and overlocking it this time. I usually just wet the wipes under the tap when I needed to use them, this meant I could use nice warm wipes on my baby, but when she had nappy rash I'd mix up a baking soda and water solution in the morning and use this during the day (baking soda also has antibacterial properties). -------------  
|
Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 4:04pm
I use the dettol in wash sanitiser for Sam's nappies - just to make myself that extra bit sure they are germ free
We use a couple of drops of Tea tree oil in a small bucket of warm water for wipe solution. It is wonderful! I bought mine online at 'cheekywipes.co.nz. You can buy a package with bucket, wipes and oils for around $30 I think. Two years later and the wipes etc are still going strong  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 11:59pm
|
With wipes, I also re use the store bought ones. Just wash them inside the nappy. Did it by accident one day
Just wet under the tap. Don't put anything in my bucket as I wash daily at the mo ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 9:42am
|
I just use a flannel and the tap. I have a eucalyptus and water mixture in a spray bottle for his bum if he gets a rash and a vinegar and water mixture to spray down his nappies which is antibacterial and helps get out any stains and smells before I chuck them in the washing machine (I wash pretty much every day too). Theres some baby wipe mixtures on the fantastic tips thread too I think round the middle. -------------   
|
Posted By: nztui
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 2:28pm
Yay! Thanks everyone for all the suggestions 
Lol cuppatea, glad you mentioned that actually - not sure how much I'd enjoy getting poo all over myself each time! Linzy - do you think it made much of a difference using tea tree oil in the wash? Wow, great that your cloths lasted so long! Just think of how much you must've saved by using them :) MrsMojo - oh I like the idea of warm wipes! Baking soda is one of those things that you can use for everything isn't it?! Good to know that this works for nappy rash :) Mum2Sam - another warm wiper, what lucky children! Those cheekywipes look great...so tempting! Aliasmum - Rats! Wish I'd thought of doing this!!! They do look like they could handle the wash eh, pretty strong looking. Babe - What a great idea having a spray bottle! I'm going to check out the tips thread, thanks :) |