When we where in hong kong we bought an automatic machine,just after my son was born,before I would wash nappys in athe bathroom sink and throw them into a bath of cold water,No fabric conditioner then,so would sit and rub the nappies to make the soft,once are toilet needed attention when i reported it an Australian man come to check,he asked did i flush disposable baby nappys,told him i was with the british army we couldn't afford throw away nappies,