What else can I try? [stripping FB]

[Mama Rana]

I was given a stash of Fuzzibunz by a very generous family who was done with them. They had gotten many of them used as well, so these are well-loved diapers. They look to be in fairly good condition though, and I feel very blessed.

However. The first time I tried one, it leaked horribly. It appears that the inner lining is repelling something fierce. This is what I've try so far. I washed them 5 times with super hot water and some vinegar. Water still beaded on them. So I went out and bought a bottle of Dawn [blue, original scent, though it is Ultra-concentrated; that's all they had]. I soaked them in the sink Dawn and super-hot water, then scrubbed the fleece with a toothbrush and the soapy water. Then 3-4 more hot washes, the first one with a drop or two of Dawn and some vinegar in the rinse cycle. I finally dried them, and just tested them again, and the water still beads. And I don't mean, it sits there for a moment then soaks in. It just sits there on top of the fleece with no signs of going through. I haven't actually put them on the baby again.

Is there anything else I can try, or do I just have to give up at this point? They were free, so I'm out nothing but the time, water, and electricity it took me to try to strip them. And I have other diapers that fit the baby, I was just really looking forward to the pockets.

Thanks!

[nique1012]

try boiling them on the stove with a drop of dawn then take the whole pot to the washer dump it in and wash

[DevaMajka]

I don't think that just dripping water on them is a good test for repelling. It needs the "force" of the pee and the pressure of the baby on it to know for sure.
I've seen suggestions to use one of those nose-sucky things (my mind is not on yet today!) and squirt the water on. Also, maybe you could try rubbing the water in after it pools up on the diaper.
I can check my non-repelling pockets to see if that's a decent test. But I HAVE had diapers that had repelling problems that rubbing the water in didn't work at all.

This is what I'd do:
I'd test them on dc. Then if that doesn't work, I'd wash with Tide to the 1 line, with a big squirt or two of dawn, then keep rinsing until the suds are totally gone. If it is improved, but still some leaks, I'd keep doing this for a few washes.

I'd be wary of boiling them, until it's the very last resort and you have nothing to lose anyway. It could damage the pul, elastic, or snaps.

eta- I just tested 2 pockets that I know don't repel (well, they didn't the last time he wore them) and the water pooled up on them and just sat there. But when I rubbed the water in, it went through.

[Mama Rana]

Originally Posted by nique1012

try boiling them on the stove with a drop of dawn then take the whole pot to the washer dump it in and wash

Hmmm, would this work with my front-loader? The dumpign the water in the washer, I mean?

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

I don't think that just dripping water on them is a good test for repelling. It needs the "force" of the pee and the pressure of the baby on it to know for sure.
I've seen suggestions to use one of those nose-sucky things (my mind is not on yet today!) and squirt the water on. Also, maybe you could try rubbing the water in after it pools up on the diaper.
I can check my non-repelling pockets to see if that's a decent test. But I HAVE had diapers that had repelling problems that rubbing the water in didn't work at all.

This is what I'd do:
I'd test them on dc. Then if that doesn't work, I'd wash with Tide to the 1 line, with a big squirt or two of dawn, then keep rinsing until the suds are totally gone. If it is improved, but still some leaks, I'd keep doing this for a few washes.

I'd be wary of boiling them, until it's the very last resort and you have nothing to lose anyway. It could damage the pul, elastic, or snaps.

eta- I just tested 2 pockets that I know don't repel (well, they didn't the last time he wore them) and the water pooled up on them and just sat there. But when I rubbed the water in, it went through.

Yeah, that's the thing: these other pockets that I've been using that I've had some leaking problems with, but not majorly in a while at least, the water also beads on them. [I used a medicine dropper to squire/dribble water onto the fleece]. So yeah, I guess I just need to pick a day when leaking wouldn't be a big deal, and try a diaper on him, and see what happens.
And as for boiling them, honestly, I don't know if I have a pot big enough. I'm talking 30 medium FBs!!! And the elastic in some of them is already starting to loosen from their previous usage and my extreme washings, so I'm wary of boiling. But as a last resort.....

Oh, and why Tide?

Thanks!

Anything else I should consider?

[Galatea]

Dawn in a front-loader is not a great idea. Front-loaders cannot handle a lot of suds and Dawn will make a lot of suds. Definitely do not boil them as it will damage them. Pocket diapers don't absorb instantly with water dripped on them. It does require a minute and some pressure. Tide doesn't work for us and gives a big rash. I would simply wash them several times on hot with as much water as you can get it to put in (delicate cycle usually adds more water) and then try them. It may be that they just don't fit well on your child around the legs. Try putting them tighter and if that doesn't help, then they may just not be the diaper for you.

[Mama Rana]

Originally Posted by Galatea

Dawn in a front-loader is not a great idea. Front-loaders cannot handle a lot of suds and Dawn will make a lot of suds. Definitely do not boil them as it will damage them. Pocket diapers don't absorb instantly with water dripped on them. It does require a minute and some pressure. Tide doesn't work for us and gives a big rash. I would simply wash them several times on hot with as much water as you can get it to put in (delicate cycle usually adds more water) and then try them. It may be that they just don't fit well on your child around the legs. Try putting them tighter and if that doesn't help, then they may just not be the diaper for you.

Hmmm, well, I already did the Dawn in the front-loader [2 drops plus whatever was still in the diapers from their soaking]. I didn't notice it being a problem, but duly noted. Hopefully someone else can benefit from that bit of advice.

I know not to expect instant absorption, but literally, I could use those suckers as drinking gourds they hold the water on the surface indefinitely. I'd love to blame it on the fit, but they seem to fit fine; I really can't help but think it's just cuz the pee rolled right off.


If I have time this week, I may try to wash them a few more times, but they may just be a loss.