Does Winter Make Cloth Nappying Harder? Here's the Honest Answer
Yes. A little.
Winter doesn't change how your nappies perform. What it does affect is drying time, and for most families, that's the only real adjustment needed.
Here's what's actually going on, and how to make it work.
Why do cloth nappies take longer to dry in winter?
It comes down to the inserts. Our bamboo and cotton inserts are custom-milled, multi-layered, and therefore very absorbent - that's what makes them so effective. Natural fibres like bamboo and cotton hold moisture differently to synthetics, and in cooler temperatures, especially indoors with less airflow, they need more time to dry fully.
It's the nature of the fibre, and while natural fibres are healthier against skin, it's worth knowing about going in.
The fix? There’s two main options.
Option 1: more nappies or inserts.
The single biggest thing that makes full-time cloth nappying manageable in Winter, or any season, is having enough nappies in your rotation. When you have a good-sized stash, you're never waiting on one load to dry before the next is needed. You've got buffer.
We recommend 36+ nappies as your ideal year-round stash size. In Summer that buffer feels comfortable, in Winter it feels essential.
If your stash is on the smaller side and Winter is catching you out, you don't necessarily need to buy a full set of new nappies (unless of course you want to). Topping up with extra inserts is often all it takes. Inserts are what take the longest to dry, so having a few extras sitting ready means your existing favourite nappy shells can go back into rotation while the freshly washed batch catches up.
This is exactly what I did with my first baby, she was an April/Autumn baby. I had 24 nappies, and the dry time got very tight that first Winter, so I topped up the amount of inserts I owned.
We ended up purchasing additional nappies before our second baby came along, and let me tell you, 36-40 nappies really takes the pressure off. I wish I’d done it sooner!
That said, prior to our second Winter using cloth nappies, we had solar panels installed, and then a dryer purchase made sense. The weekly laundry routine in general became abundantly easier.
Option 2: a dryer is your friend
If you have a dryer, don’t be afraid to use it for your nappy inserts. Especially if you have solar panels and therefore the cost of electricity is less of an issue. Inserts can go in on a low heat setting; always low, to protect the materials, but it makes a real difference on a cold grey day. Shells should always be hung to dry and kept well away from direct heat sources to protect the waterproofing.
If you don't have a dryer, airflow is your best friend. A room with good air circulation, or near a window on a bright winter's day, will dry things faster than you'd expect.
If you're more of a planner, getting a wash on earlier in the day gives your nappies the maximum window to dry. Obvious in hindsight, genuinely useful in practice.
My tip - if it’s a sunny day, do yourself a favour and hang the inserts to dry on a rack or octopus hangers, so you can easily move them inside at the end of the day to continue drying.
The short version
Winter cloth nappying is completely doable. It asks for a bit more planning than Summer (in lieu of a dryer), and a stash that's big enough to give you breathing room. Once you've got your rhythm, it becomes second nature.
If you're still on the fence about whether cloth is worth it through the cooler months, the answer is yes! The routine just shifts slightly. And the nappies? Still just as good.
Any questions about your wash routine, stash size, or how to set yourself up for Winter, you can learn more here, or reach us at info@designerbums.com.au
Did you know that more Australian councils now offer rebates on reusables? See whether your council is listed here
About the author: Elysia is the owner of Designer Bums and a mum of two. She is passionate about sustainability and eco-parenting, and making cloth nappying more accessible to new parents.
