Elastic failure: is my washing regime to blame?

maybe they've changed their elastic suppliers? not all elastic can withhold hot washing, so perhaps the newer ones have a higher heat tolerance?

I just checked my little lamb fitted nappies (bought new about 4 months ago) and the label on the says to wash at 60c

I'm trying to think if it says 40 or 60 on the label of mine which are 2 years old. Either way, it took me a while to find washing info on the website. This is from the FAQ section under the question "how long will my nappies last?"

Quote from Little Lamb website
A few tips on making your nappies last longer

*Always close over the Velcro tabs prior to laundering as otherwise the hooks will snag on any lint passing by, reducing their effectiveness.

*Wash reusable nappies at mainly 30˚c and a cool rinse. A hot wash every now and then is OK but regular hot washing will affect the life of the Velcro and elastic.

*Do not use any kind of fabric softener as this will coat the fibres reducing absorbency.

*Do not use any kind of sanitizer. It was OK for cotton nappy squares in grandma’s day but on a modern shaped nappy it’ll affect the Velcro and elastic.

*Try and avoid a drier when possible. The fluff you clean from the drier filter has to come from somewhere!

Just found the "how do I wash nappies?" question

Quote from Little Lamb website
At nappy change, take off the nappy and seal over the Velcro tabs onto themselves and put the nappy into the bucket. When you have enough nappies, boosters, washable liners and wraps for a load place them in the washing machine on a warm wash – around 30˚c.

(In times of illness you can launder Littlelamb nappies on a hot wash but regularly done and it will affect the lifetime of the nappies.)



Just had a look & my 2 year old little lambs say 60 as well but I suppose they can argue that they can be washed up to 60 but they don't recommend it. I'd be interested to see how xnoodlesx gets on with her complaint.

I think thats really rubbish to write 60c on the label if it can affect the life of the elastic and only state that on the website...not everyone has access to their website or would think to look at it either I will be interested too...

I just got one last week but it has an older label to the ones that are displayed on the website. Mine says 40C

The older littlelamb with the black sheep logo have 60 on them, the new ones say 40, in the letter is says warm - 40, and only a 60 wash if baby is ill or has thrush, but not every wash, as it will affect the elastic.

hi Ladies,

Just thought i'd give you an update - The nice ladies at LL sent me 10 replacement nappies, these new nappies state to wash at 40 degrees but my old nappies said 60, they said it was probably heat damage which caused the elastic to fail.

I'm going to try and fix my old set, to be honest I tried washing them at 40 but they came out with some rather nasty brown stains all over them.....

Great news Do you use a nappy liner? The sun is great at getting out the stains.

Do you use nappy sanitiser? I found that using a half scoop of napisan plus tiny amount regular powder meant stains cam out at 40 degrees most of the time.
(plus use disposable liners, it also cuts down on stains).