With the average New Zealand baby contributing about 6000 disposable nappies to landfills in the first 2 years of life, many Kiwi mums are making the change to a more sustainable solution. Unfortunately, nappies aren't the only waste-producing part of changing time. Enter the wet bag.
On a mission to cut single-use bag usage, wet bags aren't just a solution for your cloth nappy needs anymore! With so many wet bag uses, these handly little reusable bags might be a mum's new best friend.
Wondering if wet bags are a good option for you? Follow along to discover the many wet bag uses and the benefits of making this sustainable swap today.
First things first, let's tackle the purpose of these handly little pals. Wet bags were originally designed to hold soiled cloth nappies while families are out and about. Wet bag fabric is made to keep moisture contained so that you can carry your used nappies home without any messy worries or smells.
As modern cloth nappies grow in popularity, we've seen these bags transform from designer bums regular wet bags to advanced double pocket wet bags. You can even get personalized wet bags to keep your belongings separate from everyone else at daycare.
The reason wet bags have become such a hot item in the parenting world is that their environmental impact is inspirational. Here at Fudgey Pants, we use wet bag fabric made from recycled materials to support a circular economy and reduce the need for plastic production!
This means that you're not only keeping plastics from heading to landfills but also preventing new ones from being made altogether.
What's more, is that mums and dads are getting more and more creative with their wet bag uses to ensure they get the most out of their reusable bags. Let's take a look at a few of the top ways to use your wet bag!
If you're wondering if wet bags are a good match for your family, the answer is almost always yes. However, if you aren't using cloth nappies yet or you don't change on the go often, you may be wondering what else you can put these puppies to work with.
Here are the top wet bag uses to consider:
Just because you're a mum doesn't mean you don't deserve a little cosmetic indulgence. Whether you are on the go or looking for a way to organize your makeup and skincare at home, a wet bag can be a great solution.
These bags are far more affordable than makeup-specific bags and can help prevent spills and messes when travelling due to their moisture-catching material.
Not a makeup wearer? Use your wet bag to store shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other wet toiletries while you travel.
These bags are easy to grab and go, making them the perfect pairing for a camping shower bag!
Keep your clean and dirty clothing separate by using your wet bag as a laundry bag on the go! Perfect for soiled kids clothes or general laundry while travelling.
Larger wet bags with double pockets are fantastic for keeping your laundry organized for quick separation and washing too!
Whether you're off to the pool or headed to the beach for a day of salty water and sand, your wet bag is the perfect partner to keep your swimsuits contained and your electronics safe from the elements.
Use the double compartments of a zippered wet bag to separate phones and wet goods or keep it simple with personalised wet bags for each family member's belongings.
Nothing is more rewarding than seeing your hard-earned sweat on your gym clothes. Unfortunately, those sweaty clothes can make your gym bag, car, and anywhere else you keep them pretty smelly.
To contain the moisture and sweat, pop your used gym clothing into a wet bag and continue on with confidence.
Most ice packs are just plastic bags filled with ice or chemicals. If you're after a sustainable solution, turn to your wet bag for boo boo relief instead!
Fill up your water-resistant bag with ice and pop it on bumped knees, heads, or even around your drinks for a flexible ice pack.
Nappies aren't the only single-use product crowding our landfills. If you're going waste-free with your period too, your wet bags will come in handy for those cloth pad and reusable underwear changes.
Tired of your pump leaking pent-up milk all over your nappy bag? Pop your pump and pump parts in a wet bag for easy transportation and mess-free storage.
Whether you need somewhere to pack your wrappers away until you find a rubbish bin or one of your kids is feeling a little under the weather, wet bags make the perfect alternative to plastic waste bags.
Because they are so easy to clean, you can use them for sick bags in the car, rubbish collectors, or whatever else floats your fancy!
Tired of kid's paint ruining your drawers and staining your fabrics? Your wet bag fabric is built to stand the test!
Pop your messy crafting supplies into a wet bag to keep everything organized and out of the way.
Remember those sack lunch bags we used to take to school? Bring back the classic sack by packing your park snacks, juice boxes, and picnics into your wet bag to ensure nothing spills or splatters.
The best wet bags don't just keep moisture in, they keep messes out too!
If you've got important papers or school books to pack into your bag, pop them into a wet bag and keep them safe from other backpack contents!
Last but certainly not least - use your wet bags to keep cupboards, closets, and even camping gear organized. These little bags are the perfect partner for containing wet or dry items to ensure your home, nappy bag, and car always feel clean and sorted.
Now that you know the top wet bag uses and benefits, you can make the most from your sustainable wet bag swap. From packing a daycare wet bag to keeping your sandy beach items in check, we're confident you'll love all the ways to use a wet bag.
Ready to make the switch to high-quality, reusable wet bags? Shop our selection of beautiful wet bag designs today and put your new plastic-free partner to work!
]]>We are going to help decode all the terms and acronyms that add to the confusion and sometimes overwhelming world of modern cloth nappies.
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We are going to help decode all the terms and acronyms that add to the confusion and sometimes overwhelming world of modern cloth nappies.
Let's start with the commonly used acronyms
- MCN modern cloth nappy
- OSFM one size fits most, an adjustable nappy which is adjusted by snaps in the rise, this changes the size for different weights and heights.
- OSFA one size fits all (as above)
- AIO all in one, that is the nappy is one complete part, the waterproof outer is sewn together with the insert (absorbent part)
- AI2 all in two, usually a wipeable cover and snap-in insert
- WAHM work at home mum, typically used to describe nappies made at home by working mums even though the majority of MCN retailers/manufacturers are also WAHMS
- PUL pronounced as either P-U-L or Pull, Polyurethane laminate is the waterproof fabric used on the outside of the nappy to prevent wetness from soaking through. Polyurethane is chemically bonded to a polyester or cotton fabric in either 1mil or 2mil thickness.
- TPU thermoplastic polyurethane, this is the thin polyurethane coating applied using heat to the fabric. TPU is not a fabric, PUL is still the name of the fabric created even when using TPU.
- EBF exclusively breastfed which is not specific to modern cloth nappies but it does mean you don't need to rinse as EBF baby poo is water-soluble.
- OTB on the bum, usually used in MCN groups to show off the nappy of the day on the bum.
Other words to know in the world of cloth nappies are,
- Pocket nappies with a pocket to hold the inserts
- Inserts these are the absorbent part of the nappy, usually stuffed into a pocket or clipped into the shell
- Booster a smaller size insert
- Liners reusable or disposable liners are placed between baby and the insert/lining of the nappy. Most reusable liners are made from microfleece or microsuede and help to keep baby dry if there isn't already a stay-dry layer, also make cleanup easier.
- Fitteds the entire nappy is absorbent and there is no waterproof layer so need a cover or wrap to use with them, a lot of people prefer fitted nappies overnight.
- Cover a waterproof outer layer used over a flat, pre-fold or fitted. These can be made from wool, PUL or fleece. Your nana or mum might know them as 'fluffies'
- Flats a traditional flat nappy made from cotton, bamboo, hemp or a mix but usually natural fibres. Flats need to be folded and secured with a pin or snappy.
- Prefold a modern take on the flat nappy, prefolds are already folded into 3, typically 2 layers on the outside sections and 3 layers in the middle. Folded into 3 is known as the pad fold and can be used in a cover, prefolds can also be used wrapped around the baby and secured with a pin or snappy.
- Side snapping the nappy does up at the side and sits flat over the tummy.
- Front snaps more common than side snaps, the nappy does up in the front across the tummy.
- Snaps or Poppers plastic press studs used to fasten the nappy. Snaps are harder for little hands to undo.
- Hook and Loop the generic name for Velcro, used in place of snaps. Older people or those with arthritis find h&l easy but so do the little ones!
- Wet bag an essential item for when you are out and about to store soiled nappies and wipes. Also available in a variety of sizes, minis are perfect for wipes and large laundry sized bags are a perfect alternative to the dry pail.
- Stash the word used to describe your collection of fluff or nappies
- Fluff Mail a parcel of MCN
And just when you think you know everything you realise there's a whole separate dictionary required for the laundry of MCN so let's quickly run through the basics
- Pre-wash nappies are washed on a short cycle with 1/2 scoop of detergent on day 1 or 2, loading of the machine is not important
- Main wash as the name suggests this is the main event. Loading and the correct detergent dosage is important, your main wash should be every 2-3 days.
- Dry Pail an open basket used to store dirty nappies in between washes, you can also use a Fudgey Laundry Bag
- S&S Strip and sanitise, with a solid wash routine this shouldn't be required unless passing on your nappies to another family or for instances of fungal infections and if this is the case only sanitation is required each wash.
Hopefully, this helps to decode some of the lingo you will come across in the beginning of your modern cloth nappy journey and if I have missed anything off then please leave a comment.
Or, continue back to choosing which nappy type here.
]]>The magic number you need depends on multiple factors, including
The magic number you need depends on multiple factors, including
Let's look at each one in turn.
Newborns go through far more nappies than older babies and require changing approximately every 2 hours or when the poo and let's face it that's quite a lot!
So clearly you will need more cloth nappies if you plan to start from birth than if you are starting later.
From 3 - 6 months your baby will start to poo less frequently and you will be changing nappies roughly 6 - 8 times a day especially as they start to sleep longer stretches.
This is when you will also want to look at a reliable OVERNIGHTS solution, most of us don't want to be changing a nappy in the middle of the night!
As baby starts to eat solids around 6 months their liquid intake decreases and the frequency in which you change will also start to decrease. Whilst we still recommend you change every 3 hours or immediately if poo, you will require 4 - 6 nappies a day including an OVERNIGHTS.
For babies older than one we still recommend changing every 3 hours and assuming your OVERNIGHTS lasts 10 - 12 hours you will need around 5 -6 nappies a day.
Summary by AGE per DAY
PULOVERS can be used as a snap and wipe system as they are PUL lined and can be wiped down between changes or some people have two covers alternating between changes each day.
PULOVERS can also be paired with flats, prefolds and FITTEDS.
Generally, you will use a PULOVER thrice before needing to wash it unless of course it is soiled.
Wool covers are another great option and can be used 10 - 12 times before needing to be washed, also a fantastic budget-conscious option. Pair your wool cover with flats, prefolds or FITTEDS.
POCKETS or AIO you will need to wash the cover and inserts after each use.
Nappy TYPE | 0 - 3 MTHS | 3 - 6 MTHS | 6 - 12 MTHS | 1 YR + |
Pockets | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
AIO | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
Flats / Prefolds | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
FITTEDS | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
PULOVERS | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Ideally, you should be washing nappies every 2 – 3 days.
The total cloth nappies required will vary depending on whether you wash every day or every 3 days. Some people even wash once a week, which is completely fine but make sure you are still doing a pre-wash every 1 - 2 days.
You can use the numbers in the above table to calculate how many nappies you would need to buy depending on when you wash.
If you are willing to wash every day, multiply the above numbers by 2.5. If you will wash every 2 days, multiply the numbers by 3.5. For washing every 3 days, multiply by 4.5.
This is to make sure that you have enough nappies before the washed nappies dry and to take care of other emergencies. In winter you may require additional nappies due to increased drying times especially with AIOs
This will depend on your definition of part-time which may be
- full-time cloth days but disposables at night
- cloth at home with disposables for daycare or travel
- cloth one day, disposables the next
These are all great options to help get you started and build your stash so we suggest starting with the minimum that would have you covered. If just disposables at night the deduct one nappy per day.
Some babies are quite a little fire truck! They will out wet a nappy in under 2 hours every time, you have the option to change the nappy more frequently or to boost the nappy with good quality natural fibre inserts like hemp, bamboo or cotton.
Depending on which way you go will change the number of cloth nappies required.
One thing to consider when choosing your stash size is the more washing required the more wear on your nappies. Smaller stashes may end up having a nappy washed over 200 times a year, consider how you would expect your favourite t-shirt to look after that much washing!
It's always best to have enough to cover you for at least 2.5 days to 3 days so when life gets busy there's not stress about clean nappies.
Other than the obvious use for wet bags, here are 8 other uses for wet bags you might not have thought of.
]]>So last year in New Zealand we saw the start of the phase-out of single-use plastic bags, you may or may not think this is a good thing. There's the war cry of, but my bags were never single-use, and as a parent, you put wet clothes in them, clean clothes in them, football boots in winter, swimming gear and then if they don't have holes in them they eventually end up as a bin liner. But what do we do now?
Other than the obvious use for wet bags containing used reusable modern cloth nappies, here are 8 other uses for wet bags you might not have thought of.
This one is still my biggest pet peeves and we are still trying to educate our daycare, silly though because they teach the children so much about recycling and sustainability. I absolutely love that my 3.5 year old wants to keep the ocean free of plastic and stops to pick up rubbish when we are out. We include a wet bag in his bag so that wet clothes due to water or messy play come home in it rather than a single-use plastic bag or a rubbish sack.
We offer bulk discounts for daycare, kindergarten or play centres if you want to do some fundraising or want to sell them in your centre. Just get in touch.
So your little one has decided its time for toilet training and in an ideal world, you'd stay at home until they were 100% dry and there was no fear of an accident in the shopping mall. True story this happened to my husband, I'm still laughing a year later. But what's handy is if you keep a spare change of clothes in the wet bag ready to go and any accidents on the run is just a simple swap clean ones out dirty ones in.
Pack a wet bag in for swimming lessons, a day at the beach, or your child's school bag. After a swim the wet togs, towel rolled up, sandals, and goggles can all come home in a large wet bag. Lay the sandals and goggles to dry when back at home and toss both the togs and the wet bag straight into the washing machine. This stops everything else on the beach or school bag getting wet
If you've been a working pumping mum you'll now that storing your pumps in the work fridge can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable even though it shouldn't! When I first went back to work I was working in different client environments, some I felt totally comfortable and some not so much, so having my pumps in a wet-bag meant they all just thought it was my lunch. I rinse my pump parts and then store them in a wet bag in the fridge. At the end of the day, I wash the used bag and pack a new one for the next workday. It's so much better than using a new disposable plastic zip lock bag each day or a plastic bag in a pinch.
No doubt you've always got a lunch box or snacks on hand for the little ones, pop one of the wet bags in your bag to have on hand for rubbish, much easier than trying to find a bin and if you're like me it pains you to put organic matter and recyclable items into general rubbish bins.
I find I always have a mountain of products to take with me on holiday and somehow they don't all fit in a standard wash bag, things like shampoo bottles, wash clothes, soap holders (for bar soap or solid shampoo) and body moisturiser. These fit nicely inside a large wet bag and it doesn't matter if grab them straight from the shower, you know the rest of your bag isn't going to end up wet or clothes stained if the lid pops off.
I use a lot of cloth wipes for grubby hands and faces instead of paper towels. To save me walking back and forward to the laundry all day I hang a wet bag in my kitchen and then just empty it every couple of days.
Trying to save space in your suitcase is an art, want to pack the laptop but want to keep the mouse and cords together without the bulk of a laptop case. Pop your laptop into a large wet bag. Not only will it be neatly contained but it will also stop it from getting wet.
Our son would get car sick when he was rear-facing and not wanting to turn him until we felt ready we persevered and had to change clothes frequently due to vomit. Keeping a wet bag in the car meant all the clothes went straight into the bag and zipped up to deal with once we were home.
Hopefully, you have a few more ideas of what you can do with the pretty wet bags you have.
Shop the range here:
https://www.fudgeypants.co.nz/collections/wet-bags
Let us know what your favourite uses for WET Bags are in the comments below!
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