Does fleece stop wicking well over time?

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pelicano

pelicano

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I've been using the same fleece for about a year now, so it has been washed multiple times. I never use fabric conditioner. I've noticed gradually that it might not be wicking so well. I just wondered if maybe it's getting clogged up with washing powder, and that maybe fleece needs to be replaced because it stops wicking so well.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
I think I've figured out the problem. I've done a bit of reading and now think it's use of oily stuff, like Bepanthan cream and also oily ointments on Cassie's feet. I think it's built up a film on the fleece over time that hasn't washed out.

I'm going to start again with new fleece. But I wonder whether certain powders/liquids might be better at washing out this sort of stuff from fleece.
 
I think you might be right.. I use similar stuff for my eczema and it is impossible to get it out of clothes and towels after a while :(
 
Thanks. The only thing I've found is to use washing up liquid though, and I've always found that washing up liquid residues irritate Cassie's bladder (no idea why). I'd never be able to rinse it all out again of fleece. I'm happier to start again with new fleece, I think.
 
I'm still having problems with my fleece. It's really starting to get annoying! So far I've used Calgon, in case it was hard water residue, washing up liquid (despite my misgivings above), and a dishwasher tablet. Oh and doing a whole lot of rinsing, in case they were clogged up with soap residue.

Possibly the washing up liquid has helped a little, but not a lot, if any. I've done another couple of fleeces with the washing up liquid, so will have to persist with that for now, I think.

I never had this trouble when I used to use fleece before.

edit: I've just checked a corner of the fleece in the cage, where I can see a big old stain, and it hasn't wicked through to the puppy pad below at all. I despair! :(
 
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I'm a massive fan of vet bed as find fleece needs a change daily and can be whiffy :(
Is it possible to buy a small roll and just use for 'toilet/sleeping areas' - this may help. I can leave vet bed for 5-7 days for my pairs of boys (they pee in the hay basket).
Only other option I can think of it to buy fleece cheaply and in large quantities when on offer. Is it the polar variety you use ?
 
Yes, I find it wants changing daily too, which isn't a problem - it's just pretty useless if it doesn't wick. I did also buy some more, but within a few weeks it had stopped wicking again!

I don't know what I'm using, other than 100% polyester Asda throws. They wick perfectly fine after a few washes. I wonder if it's my washing powder, although I tried switching to a liquid, and they didn't improve. They might still be clogged up from the powder though. I'm at the end of the box, so I'll be using a new one from now anyway.

I've had another idea or two, and I'll report back if they work!
 
I am sorry to hear you are having trouble! I am new to piggies and new to fleece but it seems to work fine.
Have you done a wash with your fleece with vinegar? I read that helps it wick, i have done that with mine before using them.
 
Sorry, I'm obviously not being clear here. The problem isn't that I can't get it to wick. I can get it to wick from new with a few washes. The problem is that it then stops!

Vinegar is one of my next things to try - they are obviously clogged up with something. It is probably from my latest box of powder, but it's difficult to know exactly when the problem started.
 
I use vinegar every wash and mine are fine.Do you use litter trays and do you have towels then fleece over main fleece on areas where they pea over main fleece
 
I'm using puppy pads under the fleece. I really think that, despite the washing powder (Co-op) not saying anything about any kind of fabric conditioner in it, it must have something that has coated them.

I'll keep on trying things to get them wicking again.
 
Just to update, I have been reading a lot about washing powders, and I suspect optical brighteners. Apparently, they coat the fabric, in order to reflect light and make everything look cleaner than it actually is! I think that might be the thing that has coated them and stopped them from wicking.

I've been washing the fleeces in powder with no optical brighteners for the last few days, and soaking them overnight in white vinegar/water. They do seem to be improving, but I wonder how possible it is to shift the optical brighteners altogether.
 
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