The special suede cloth lining not only absorbs but repels solids so there’s no need to soak them. Put them in the bucket until you’re ready to wash them, and then a cool rinse cycle followed by a 40-degree cycle should do the job. A special Leak-Guard technology means moisture is kept in the nappy.
Price-wise, a 3-pack costs £38, a 12-pack is £145, and a 24-pack is £275.
What we love
First off, the Smartipants reusable nappy looks adorable. When I put my 9-month-old Heidi in the lovely lavender, it looked so cosy and cute I didn’t want to put her clothes on, and on a hot day I haven’t. I’m more than happy for her to crawl around in one of these.
When it comes to washing, obviously a reusable nappy is always going to be more bother than using a disposable. But, Smartipants has made it as easy as possible. Because of the special cloth lining, which repels solids, there’s no need to rinse or soak. You can just take them all straight from a dry lidded bucket, put on a quick cool cycle, and then wash them on a normal cycle. There’s no need to remove the insert as it’s designed to work itself out in the wash, which it did.
Although it is this easy, I think in the very early days this could have proved a lot of extra work, especially with my toddler Tippi around. But, as Heidi is older and things have gotten slightly easier I can see Smartipants working for us. It’s just a matter of getting into a routine. And, Smartipants dry really quickly. It only takes a few hours on the line, or even less tumble dried on a low heat.
I love how soft the Smartipants nappy is – the lining is like velvet, and I felt very comfortable about putting the nappy on Heidi’s rather sensitive skin.
I needn’t express how important it is for the environment, which is obviously a major factor in choosing a reusable. And for saving money, these are certainly a smart choice.
What to watch out for
I did find the Smartipants nappy leaked a couple of times, but it could be a matter of getting used to a reusable rather than a disposable. You must make sure you put the nappy on tight enough and don’t leave it on for too long. If you’re particularly busy and have more than one child, you really have to keep to a routine with the washing and remembering to change the nappy every 2-3 hours. I’m not sure the Leak-Guard technology is everything it claims to be though.
The Smartipants reusable nappy is bulkier than disposables, however, it is slimmer than many other reusable nappies.
Using washable nappies takes dedication and while it’s great that celebrities endorse using this particular one, they probably have someone who does the washing for them.
Who is the Smartipants reusable nappy best for?
Style-savvy eco-conscious mums who want comfort for their babies that won’t be costing the earth.
A good reusable nappy that looks adorable. With adjustable poppers to take you right through to toddlerhood, the saving is substantial in more ways than one. The Smartipants nappy has clever features, such as a self-removing insert and no need to soak for hours, and works hard to make using reusables an easy choice. But, you must be organised, and vigilant about changing your baby frequently.
