Bumgenius repelling moisture

[oliolioli]

OK, further to yesterdays post about my BG nappie leaking, someone suggested running some water on them and seeing if it is absorbed or repelled. it REPELLED, grrrrrr, the suedecloth seems to think its job is to be waterproof...

So, I will do a stripwash today, once I find a post explaining how to do it.

But, my question is, if Oli has only been in BGs for less than a week (we got the BG delivered last thursday) how is it possible that they need a strip wash already?

I barely use any detergent (Amolin brand for sensitive skin) and always follow the wash with an extra rinse. Should I buy a different brand detergent, could that be the issue??? What else could it be on such new nappies?

Thanks in advance, Cherry

[ikis84]

Cherry, this is from Oz cloth nappies:


* How do I strip fleece?
If detergent or nappy paste residue builds up on a fleece liner or pocket nappy inner, the fleece may repel liquid, causing leaking. You can tell if this is happening by running water onto the fleece and seeing whether it penetrates or beads on the surface. If your fleece is repelling, it needs to be strip washed. Do a very hot wash in dishwashing liquid (like Dawn) and rinse until no more subs appear. If this does not work, you may need to scrub the fleece surface under detergent and hot water. Re-evaluate your washing routine - are you using natural soap, fabric softener, or too much detergent?

Do you use any nappy rash creams or fabric softeners?

[oliolioli]

IKIS- No I dont use any creams or fabric softeners. I have been using J&J anti-rash powder for about a day as Oli was reacting to the nappies. That is it ither than the Amolin detergent- should I try a diff brand, maybe Omo sensitive?

What brands of detergent do others with BG nappies use???

I do have to slather Oli in Dermeze ointment a few times a day, but I am very careful not to get that on his nappies, as I reckon that would be deadly for them, it feels so oily.

I am doing a strip wash at the moment so hopefully that helps things along. In the meantime Oli is shakin' his huge BBB booty (which is usually only seen at night), sooo cute!

Cherry

[the_queen]

I have BG's, I have the AIO's though (I think you have the pockets?) Mine are PUL outer, with .... um..... not-suede-cloth inner :D (microfleece i think... or it may be suede cloth... um... i really have NFI :D)

*ahem*
My point is, the washing detergent I use is Spree or Duo or whatever is on special.


I'd be suspicious of the ointment and powder :yes: What about using a poly fleece liner, just to put another layer between his cute little butt and the nappy? You know, that polar fleece stuff, you buy at spotlight, no hemming required, just cut into shape.

[oliolioli]

I have BG's, I have the AIO's though (I think you have the pockets?) Mine are PUL outer, with .... um..... not-suede-cloth inner :D (microfleece i think... or it may be suede cloth... um... i really have NFI :D)

*ahem*
My point is, the washing detergent I use is Spree or Duo or whatever is on special.


I'd be suspicious of the ointment and powder :yes: What about using a poly fleece liner, just to put another layer between his cute little butt and the nappy? You know, that polar fleece stuff, you buy at spotlight, no hemming required, just cut into shape.

I have some liners like you mentioned that would do the trick, but I think that he was reacting to the unnatural fibres (he has excema), so have been putting just the flushable liners between him and the nappy when I use the powder.

And I wish i could avoid the ointment but he sheds his skin like nothing else if I forget to use it for a day... it was so easy though with sposies as I didnt care if it ended up on the nappy or not. Now I have to be much more careful. I guess I am just lucky that the excema is not on his nappy area at all, so the nasty evil ointment cant ruin my clothie efforts!

Thanks though! Cherry

[becstar]

Cherry

oh i have had no problems and been using my BGs for months. I use spree powder.....

I used polar fleece liner on my fitted nappies and they gave caleb a nappy rash. Have stopped using them and nappy rash gone....

Bec
xx

[mumofKieran]

Hi Cherry,
as I mentioned in your post about nappy rash, I read on the diaperpin website that some people have had problems with suedecloth in the bg becoming water resistant like this due to hard water. Could this be the problem? I have used my bg pockets for a few weeks now and have not had this problem so far...I use Bio Zet (which apparently is not as gentle for the nappies as Amolin but maybe you could try it??). I know Bio Zet is quite a 'harsh' detergent so maybe it's preventing buildup, as I know our water here is fairly hard (being 1/2 bore water) so you would think I would have the same problem as you but I don't! Sorry if this is a bit of a ramble, hope it helps.:ecomcity:

[ikis84]

I use planet Ark 'Aware' for sensitive skin.

You could try emailing the place where you bought them, they are normally happy to help troubleshoot.

[ThreePinkFaireez]

how many times did you wash/dry them before use?

[~Kimba~]

have been putting just the flushable liners between him and the nappy

:detective: Have you tried not using the flushable liners? Maybe they're trapping the moisture and stopping it from wicking through the suedecloth 'instantly' like it should, causing it to pool and leak...?

I know that if you use fleece liners with fleece/suedecloth it can also cause repelling as the liquid can be caught between the layers and leak out the side...maybe your flushable liners are doing the same?

[prideNJoy]

TwoPinkFaireez how many times did you wash/dry them before use?

This is what i was going to ask too, could it be that they havn't been pre washed enough before use and thats why they are repelling the water? They need to be washed 3-4 times before being used as each wash will increase the absorbancy of the nappies and inserts.

[oliolioli]

OK, so I have done a hot (90degrees) strip wash with some of the washing up liquid as suggested and tumble dried them like cotton babies website says. The suedecloth is still repelling the water!!! I poured about a teaspoon of water into an open nappy 15 minutes ago and the liquid is still sitting there- it looks watertight- so much for wicking the wee away fast! Gosh I am a bit angry about this!

Thanks all for your suggestions. I will try to answer all the questions that you asked...

Mum of Kieran- I dont think the problem could be hard water, we are in suburban melbourne and the water is really good here.

Kimbaleo- the leaks happened yesterday a bunch of times, and i wasn't using the liners every time, so that isn't it!

TwoPinkFaireez- I washed them twice before use

ikis- thanks for that, I bought them in the USA so have emailed there to ask what they suggest

Bec- I am worried about a detergent like Spree worsening Oli's rashes... but maybe I should give it a go...

[HoopDeeDoo]

I use Planet Ark Aware for sensitive skin and it's great, we were using Amolin, and had no probs with water repelling, but my nappies tended to hang on to the wee smell though.

Are you having any probs with your other nappies, or just the BG?


I'd like to hear what they say when they get your email :detective:

[mumofKieran]

This is what i was going to ask too, could it be that they havn't been pre washed enough before use and thats why they are repelling the water? They need to be washed 3-4 times before being used as each wash will increase the absorbancy of the nappies and inserts.

With regards to prewashing, my understanding is that you only need to do it once with bumgenius as they are a fully man made fibre and don't actually increase in absorbancy with each wash the way hemp does.

[oliolioli]

With regards to prewashing, my understanding is that you only need to do it once with bumgenius as they are a fully man made fibre and don't actually increase in absorbancy with each wash the way hemp does.

Yeah that is what Bumgenius washing instructions say too. I did it twice though once with detergent once without as the shop as I thought it wouldn't hurt.

Anyway, despite the fact that the water when sitting in the nappy doesnt soak through, just remaining in beads on the surface, he had one on for the last 3 hours with no leaks.

Can anothe BG owner do me a favour??? Can you get a clean BG pocket with a microfibre insert in it, lay it flat and drop about a teaspoon or so of water onto it. How long does it take to go throught the inner??? An experiment to see whether it is just the way they are and maybe yesterday was just a run of very bad luck.

Hope so, no way I am buying more nappies, I will make these work!!!

Thanks to anyone who tests this for me!!! :yelclap: Cherry

[mumofKieran]

Hi Cherry,
I just tried it with a clean dry bumgenius: the water soaked through instantly...so obviously there is an issue with yours, and since they are so new maybe the place you bought them off will replace them? I have heard that bumgenius is pretty good for customer support.

[oliolioli]

:detective: Have you tried not using the flushable liners? Maybe they're trapping the moisture and stopping it from wicking through the suedecloth 'instantly' like it should, causing it to pool and leak...?

I know that if you use fleece liners with fleece/suedecloth it can also cause repelling as the liquid can be caught between the layers and leak out the side...maybe your flushable liners are doing the same?

But they also leaked when I forgot to put the liner in, TWICE!!!!! Hmmmm:detective:

[prideNJoy]

mumofKieran
With regards to prewashing, my understanding is that you only need to do it once with bumgenius as they are a fully man made fibre and don't actually increase in absorbancy with each wash the way hemp does.


I didnt realise that, I just followed the Instructions given to me by the supplier. At least i know now, i have six more coming in the next couple of days, thanks. That doesn't apply to the inserts though does it?

[ikis84]

Hmmm... I just tested it, and it took about 5 seconds + for it to go through, and I don't have any leaking problems. Are you sure it fits snuggly around the legs? My theory is, that when it fits snuggly, the urine is trapped until it soaks through. Or, your boy does really fast wees, that don't have enough time to soak through. You could try putting a face washer inside the nappy, between his skin and the suedcloth - that would absorb the wee first, so then it could go through.

[ikis84]

How old is your bub? I have heard that toddlers often hold their wee :detective:

[mumofKieran]

I didnt realise that, I just followed the Instructions given to me by the supplier. At least i know now, i have six more coming in the next couple of days, thanks. That doesn't apply to the inserts though does it?

Hi, if the inserts are microfibre (as with bumgenius) then one wash is all that's needed as they are also a man made fibre and so don't actually get more absorbent with each wash the way hemp does. Apparently with hemp one reason for the prewashing is to remove the natural oils which can interfere with absorbency, whereas man made materials don't contain such oils and so are the same absorbency from the start. Does that make sense?

[pookiesossige]

How frustrating!
Well you have obviously tried everything- and having water sit on the nappy for so long yet it never soaked through the suedecloth is really strange...

But I must say, my first strip wash wasn't a success. I had to do it again with more hot water and a TON of detergent.. Thankfully I've never had to do another strip wash, and I've had suedecloth pockets (various brands/makes) for about 8 months now.

Hopefully you find a solution soon!! :fingerscrossed: :hugs:

[oliolioli]

I have given up! I did a second strip wash with more detergent and more rinses, and no change. Would you believe that I left a nappy with a bit of water sitting on the suedecloth and it was still beaded there after more than 5 hours last night?!?!?! Ridiculous...

So i have contacted the seller and manufacturer (stupid me bought them in the usa) and we will see what they say. To be frank i dont want to keep them...

Anyway, thanks for all the advice, as it is difficult to tell whether it is something i am doing, or something wrong with the nappy itself. I am pretty sure the nappies have the issue, not me!


Thanks again, Cherry

-will post the outcome of this...

[becstar]

Cherry

Just to let you know, I tried putting a teaspoon of water on both a BG and a Green Kids (which also has suedecloth inner).

The BG absorbed half of he teaspoon and the other half rolled to the edge and stayed there for 10 mins till I touched it and it absorbed then. The Gk also beaded and rolled (more beading that my BG) but absorbed instantly when I touched it and broke the "bubble".

Just thought I would let you know.

I am sorry that you are having so many problems....first nappy rash and now this, it sux. Not a good introduction to MCN. You ordered a trial pack before you bought the bulk lot didn't you? Is there any difference between the first order and the second?

Hmmm.....maybe you should have tried some different brands out before bulking up?
If you are able to return them then maybe you should try some others out to see the difference. I love bubblebubs, Green Kids are okay, Haute are okay.....hmmm....THere are plenty of lovlies out there! Don't let this experience turn you off.

Bec
xx

[oliolioli]

Cherry

Just to let you know, I tried putting a teaspoon of water on both a BG and a Green Kids (which also has suedecloth inner).

The BG absorbed half of he teaspoon and the other half rolled to the edge and stayed there for 10 mins till I touched it and it absorbed then. The Gk also beaded and rolled (more beading that my BG) but absorbed instantly when I touched it and broke the "bubble".

Just thought I would let you know.

I am sorry that you are having so many problems....first nappy rash and now this, it sux. Not a good introduction to MCN. You ordered a trial pack before you bought the bulk lot didn't you? Is there any difference between the first order and the second?

Hmmm.....maybe you should have tried some different brands out before bulking up?
If you are able to return them then maybe you should try some others out to see the difference. I love bubblebubs, Green Kids are okay, Haute are okay.....hmmm....THere are plenty of lovlies out there! Don't let this experience turn you off.

Bec
xx

I did try some BG before buying up big, but I can't tell which one is the old one and which are the new ones, as I have quite a few in the yellow colour. I have been using the trial BG for about 6 weeks and never had an issue- no leaks at all, I loved it! I think the only way to test would be to wet all the yellow ones and see if one was better than the others!! Maybe that will happen later today...

And I wont be turned off by this episode. If there is actually something wrong with them and I can return them then I will def be getting more. I am loving the baby Beehinds more and more, they are fantaastic! And I will have to get some other fun ones to try to cheer myself up after all these leaky nappies, hahaha, any excuse to get more nappies...

Thanks, Cherry

[becstar]

Cherry

I am glad it hasn't turned you off. yay!!

Yay! Get some fun nappies.....my new favourite nappies are having a re-stocking tommorow....yayayayayayay! I will have to see if I can get one.....you should too.:yelclap:

Bec
xx

[oliolioli]

Cherry

I am glad it hasn't turned you off. yay!!

Yay! Get some fun nappies.....my new favourite nappies are having a re-stocking tommorow....yayayayayayay! I will have to see if I can get one.....you should too.:yelclap:

Bec
xx

What nappies are restocking???

[mumofKieran]

Don't let this put you off bumgenius!! They really are a great nappy when they work properly, and it does sound like there is definitely something wrong with these as the water on the one I tried really did go straight through, I mean instantaneously, which proves that this is really possible for these nappies.

[ikis84]

Did you try the washer on top of the suedcloth?

I am glad that it hasn't turned you off cloth! All problems can be solved one way or anpther - even if that means a different type of nappy :D

[oliolioli]

Did you try the washer on top of the suedcloth?

I am glad that it hasn't turned you off cloth! All problems can be solved one way or anpther - even if that means a different type of nappy :D

What seems to work is stuffing something extra in the pocket. As I mentioned, they aren't leaking because the nappy is full, but the extra bulk (on my skinny bub) means that the wee is contained long enough to soak through the pesky suedecloth.

So embarrased, yesterday he was on the floor at a friends house and his nappy leaked and there was a wee patch on her carpet... he had only been there for a minute while i sorted out our gear. eeeek.

No dramas so far today with the new techniques though! hope it continues, but will try your suggestion if we have more trouble!


Thanks, Cherry

[GraceUnhearing]

could it be compression leaks from the microfibre?

[BabyJoy]

Just saw this thread and wanted to let you know that I've been using BGs since about February and we've only just now had issues with the suede cloth not wicking the moisture away. I have done a strip wash, but it obviously wasn't good enough, so I'll have to do another one again tomorrow.

It's really turned me off suede fleece - I'd much rather have regular polar fleece even with pilling!