From time to time I often get some emails regarding Cloth diaper(any brand) that some how worked good before but it is starting to leak. Or some moms that just bought a new set of diaper found that their new diapers are leaking! Wait...Don't give up first! So why are my cloth diapers leaking???
Here is a few guide for you:
First of all, make sure that you washed everything before using. There can be residue left on the fabric from the production process that can cause leakage.
Many moms want to take a good care of the cloth diapers and think that hand washing is the best way to prevent it to be worn out.Well that is not 100% true. Some times handwashing is the culprit of leakage.Why?The detergent you are using to hand wash the cloth diaper may not be wash out properly from your diaper. If you wish to hand wash your cloth diaper , make sure you wash any residue out and use a sufficient amount of water. The detergent build up on the suede lining make the diaper repel water .
Please always remember the GOLDEN rules: no fabric softener and bleach and do not wash it with DYNAMO liquid too.
If you choose to wash with baby detergent make sure it doesnt contain: softener, and oils.
One of the important step is:
Stripping Diapers : Build up refers to residue left by detergents, fabric softeners, and other substances used to clean diapers. If you notice a decrease in the functionality of your diapers, build up may be the culprit. Stripping refers to the removal of residue on diapers. To strip diapers, simply hand wash your diaper with your regular dish soap (gets the oils out), add a bit of dish soap to the fleece/suede, either rub the fleece vigoriously together or use a medium bristle dish brush or hard bristle tooth brush to scrub the fleece. Turn inside out and repeat on this side. Rinse very good, making sure that the water runs clear. Toss to washing machine and wash it without detergent, but with a bit of distilled vinegar. You may use this method at any time you feel that the diaper may be repelling or as a preventative measure once a month.
It is recommended to Strip wash your diaper once a month.Specially if you find that your diaper has started to leak. If you often hand wash your cloth diaper,the residue of detergent might cause leaking.
This method can be done once a month as a preventive step. Since the residue of detergent build up can "coat" the liner(suede/fleece) and cause the diaper to repel urine.
So here is how do to Stripping Wash your diaper:
Here is my Drybees fleece pocket diaper. I use liquid dishwashing soap , and wash and scrub under running tap water. Then I turn inside out and repeat. I do not use toothbrush here.
Here is my Mommy's touch diaper after I turn inside out and washed and scrubbed it.
This time I only strip washing 2 pocket diapers. I will do the rest at other time.
Just to show you what kind of vinegar I use.
You just pour it into first cycle. about 2 cap or 1-2 tea spoon.
Then just toss the cloth diaper into washing machine. Run it as ussual, no Detergent, just vinegar.
Indy forced me to take a picture of her , near the washing machine. She just can't accept why I need to take a picture of diapers and I don't take her picture. :)
