What the HECK?

[veedeepee]

I'm primarily a prefold user, but I do have a couple of pocket diapers that I rarely use, and I've recently purchased a couple of fitted diapers for night use that have a microfleece liner. Every synthetic diaper material that goes through my wash repels. I dribbled some water on one of the brand new fitted diapers (on the soaker part, which is hemp with microfleece on one side), and it soaked in quite well (especially considering the diaper hadn't been washed). I washed it once, and now it totally repels. I don't really have experience with repelling b/c I'm a prefold user. I always thought repelling was caused by a gradual buildup of detergent. People on here seem to talk about stripping occasionally - whenever the repelling gets to a certain point. How could my diaper repel after ONE wash?!

Here is how I'm washing my prefolds (fitteds and pockets are in with the prefolds when I wash them):

Cold water rinse
Hot water wash with 1/2 scoop Country Save
Extra rinse - warm

My water is somewhat hard, but not extremely so (I don't get mineral deposits on my faucets or anything).

Any thoughts? I don't want to mess with my routine TOO much, because it's been working fine for the prefolds. We don't have diaper rash problems, and the prefolds always come out nice and clean. Do I need to wash just the nighttime fitteds separately? That would kind of be a hassle.

Also - I tried stripping one of the fitteds (by hand, with dish soap). It's a hemp fitted, and I hung it up to dry, so it's taking FOREVER. I'll try that out once it's dry...At least then I'll know if it's a detergent residue issue.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't know if I should do more detergent b/c of the hard water, less detergent b/c it's not rinsing out, or some sort of additive (vinegar, etc.).

[inky leeuhhh]

hmm what type of washer do you have? we cant use fleece either, it always repels. i think it has something to do with our front loading he washer. i did everything i could think of with my routine to try and fix it, but they always repelled again after the first wash. i finally just stopped buying it.

[octobermom]

Go figure but the only dedergent that kept our fleece pockets from repelling was dreft. We also had hard water.

Deanna

[cristeen]

What do you use to wash the rest of your laundry? Are you using shared machines, or do you have your own?

[felix23]

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh

hmm what type of washer do you have? we cant use fleece either, it always repels. i think it has something to do with our front loading he washer. i did everything i could think of with my routine to try and fix it, but they always repelled again after the first wash. i finally just stopped buying it.

I don't have a front loader, but I still can't use fleece. It always starts repelling in no time and then I have to strip them and that uses so much water and time. So I have no advice. I just gave up and stick to mostly prefolds.

[veedeepee]

I have an older top loader (so, not HE). It's not a shared machine. I use a different detergent on our laundry, but it's a plant-based and fairly "weak" detergent that I get at the co-op. I have really sensitive skin so it's a pretty mild detergent. Maybe there's something in there that's causing the problem...Here are the ingredients:


plant-based surfectants (from soy, coconut, palm kernel oil, or corn)
plant-based solvents (from soy and/or orange rind oil)
citric acid
minerals
water

It says it contains no petroleum solvents or artificial brighteners, no phosphates, no bleach.

I don't see anything problematic...do you?

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by veedeepee

I have an older top loader (so, not HE). It's not a shared machine. I use a different detergent on our laundry, but it's a plant-based and fairly "weak" detergent that I get at the co-op. I have really sensitive skin so it's a pretty mild detergent. Maybe there's something in there that's causing the problem...Here are the ingredients:


plant-based surfectants (from soy, coconut, palm kernel oil, or corn)
plant-based solvents (from soy and/or orange rind oil)
citric acid
minerals
water

It says it contains no petroleum solvents or artificial brighteners, no phosphates, no bleach.

I don't see anything problematic...do you?

Possibly the orange rind oil? Sometimes using the natural laundry products can leave residue in your washer/dryer. I think it depends on your water pH also. You might try cleaning out the washer and dryer to remove any build up (I've seen instructions online).
Or skip the fleece - we had issues with synthetics too so I stopped using them. I like fleece on the outside, like windpro covers, but not the so-called "wicking" fabrics that liquid is supposed to flow through.

[veedeepee]

Update: The diaper that I hand-stripped with dish soap has finally dried, and it seems to be wicking/absorbing ok (not awesome, but ok...I didn't use Dawn, I used my plant-based and probably weaker dish soap to strip). I've got it on him right now as he sleeps (PLEASE WORK).

So, I think I'll strip the other fitted the same way, and then maybe hand wash them in Country Save a couple times. If that seems ok, then it's probably not Country Save + my hard water causing the problem. I will also try cleaning out my washer and dryer in case the plant oils are the culprit.

Why does fleece have to be so @#%$#^ difficult? I would just ditch it, but my little guy really notices when he's wet at night, so I'd like to have the feel-dry thing going on.