I had major trouble with my brand-spanking-new BGs wicking when I first got them. Once I contacted the company, we talked about my wash routine and found that baking soda was the culprit. They said that baking soda and tto will cause the suedecloth to wick...and it does. My BGs were like a rubber sheet - they absorbed nothing, but once I took the baking soda out of my wash routine, all was well - no leaks.