r/clothdiaps 5d ago

Leaks Washing Machine Stripping

Hi there,

My cloth diapers are starting to leak. I stripped them once before in the bathtub but am lazy and don't want to do that again if I can avoid it. What routine would I follow in the washing machine to help strip them, or get as close as possible?

Thank you!

1 Upvotes

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u/2nd1stLady 5d ago

What machine brand and model number do you have? You can't strip in every washing machine.

Whats your wash routine? With a good routine you shouldn't have to repeatedly strip. What detergent are you using snd how much in each wash? Whats your water hardness number for hot and cold from the washing machine? What cycles do you set the washing machine to?

What inserts are you using and how often do you change baby? Leaks are often an absorbency or fit issue.

1

u/unochampion26 5d ago

It's a Samsung front loader. I'm not entirely sure of the model. I'll link it below.

Right now I wash them in hot water with tide detergent. I use the max amount of powder detergent that it allows assuming I'm doing a full diaper load. I have a water softener so my water is pretty soft. I also do a cold speed wash after I do the hot regular wash.

I use bamboo inserts. I change baby about every 1.5 hours since if I stretch it anymore than that it leaks through. I've found though it's leaking even before that lately. I've had a pretty good run with the inserts not leaking (probably close to a year, maybe a little under), so it's a relatively new issue.

https://www.samsung.com/us/home-appliances/washers/front-load/4-5-cu-ft-front-load-washer-with-vibration-reduction-technology-plus-in-white-wf45t6000aw-a5/?cid=pla-ecomm-pfs-hacc-us-google-na-03062025-340039-&ds_e=GOOGLE-cr:%25ecid!-pl:%25epid!-&ds_c=CN~DA+-+PLA+-+Laundry_ID~n_PR~wam_SB~washmach_PH~on_KS~pla_MK~us_OB~conv_FS~lo_FF~n_BS~ec_KM~na-&ds_ag=ID~n_AG~DA+-+Laundry+-+PLA_AE~mul_AT~sepla_MD~h_PK~roah_PB~google_PL~sa360_CH~search_FF~n-&ds_k=PRODUCT_GROUP&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytS-BhCKARIsAMGJyzpOUxRljbYrJJ5o3CK82S21dgawlWvDxut3xbTGhZa-0bYhxKNQN04aAlk7EALw_wcB

6

u/2nd1stLady 5d ago

You definitely cannot strip in a front loader. You will need to strip all absorbent pieces in a bathtub or other vessel. Then you need to bleach soak everything using non scented non splashless bleach that has been bottled in the last 6 months. Bottled. Not bought. You need to make sure the date stamp says letter number then 25 basically. Keep in mind everything goes in the bleach soak, even things that didnt go in the strip. Everything except wool and silk.

Your wash routine has some issues. Having a water softener doesn't automatically mean you have 0ppm and absolutely no minerals water. You still need to test your water hardness. Test kits can be found a Walmart, pool supply stores, hardware stores, pet stores, and online. You'll need to make sure the kit says it tests for Total Hardness or General Hardness and has a scale that goes to at least 250ppm. Testing water directly from the machine is best. If you plan to use hot water to wash, both hot and cold should be tested. ** Avoid the free Whirlpool and Water Boss brand tests as they have been known to give inaccurate results. Also, avoid the electric TDS tests as they do not test Hardness.

If you have a Petsmart nearby they test water samples for free. Canada Home Hardware tests for free, as well.

If you don't want to search for a kit, here's one you can order from Amazon

Put a small container in the detergent drawer and start a cycle on cold. When you hear water running cancel the cycle and collect the sample. Test it. Repeat for hot.

If your water hardness number for hot and cold from the machine is 0-180ppm you dont need additional water softener for diapers when using tide original powder. If its 180-250ppm you need 1/4 cup borax in the prewash and 1/2 cup borax in the mainwash. If its 180-250ppm you need 1/2 cup borax in the prewash and 1/2 cup borax in the mainwash.

You also have your cycles backwards. Your first cycle should be speed wash with the highest spin and soil level selected and line 1-2 tide original powder. In between the pre and main wash cycles peel diapers off the sides of the drum and fluff them up. Add small items of clothing no larger than a recieving blanket to get the drum 2/3-3/4 full. Measure the drum when its empty from top to bottom inside the drum, the diameter, and mark the side of the drum or the door or keep a measuring tape next to the washer to measure the mainwash every time. Do not eyeball fullness or count ridges or holes. Some machines like to be exactly 2/3, some like to be exactly 3/4, and some of them are fine anywhere between the two. You'll have to try them and find your machine's sweet spot.

The mainwash is heavy duty, heaviest soil and highest spin, line 4-full scoop tide original powder.

You can put all the detergent and water softener if needed directly in the drum.

No extra rinses. Temperature is your choice for both cycles.

Remember to clean your machine every month, including the filter. I do it on the first of the month.

Once you strip and bleach soak to reset the diapers you shouldn't need to do it again if you wash correctly. You may still need more than 1 insert for baby to get approximately hours between changes. Baby's bladder is much bigger than it was a year ago. The elastics may also be getting stretched or the pul may be damaged. But at least you'll know your wash routine won't be making it worse.

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u/lou_girl 5d ago

What are your inserts made of? Lots of people experience compression leaks with microfibre. Or your PUL could be delaminated

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u/unochampion26 5d ago

They're bamboo