Stripping Cloth Diapers
"Stripping" is a method of removing residue from cloth diapers. This residue will either cause excessive odor or ineffective diapers. If the residue is from overuse of detergents or using soap you will end up with smelly diapers. Often, the smell will only surface after Baby has peed.
If the residue is from fabric softeners, this will cause the cotton and hemp diapers to be less absorbent and the fleece diapers to repel water- both will result in leaking cloth diapers.
To strip a diaper of excess detergent, simply wash them with just water until no suds appear when agitating.
To strip diapers or covers of fabric softeners or soap, simply hand wash in regular dish soap (this gets the oils out). Add a small amount of dish soap directly to the fleece and rub the fleece together (or scrub it with a brush). Do this to both sides of the fleece. Rinse well. Do this whenever the diaper seems to be repelling rather than absorbing. If you are still having trouble, try a very hot wash using 2 scoops oxygen bleach..