Troubleshoot: Help! I’m Getting Leaks
If you're experiencing leaks with your cloth nappies, don’t worry — this is a common issue and usually easy to fix. Below are the most likely causes and how to solve them.
Need help beyond this guide? Contact us here and we’ll support you personally.
1. Pre-Washing – Have You Washed Your Nappies Enough?
New cloth nappies need to be pre-washed 3–4 times before their first proper use to build up absorbency. In fact, your nappies may continue to increase in absorbency for up to 6 washes.
2. Washing Routine – Are You Using the Right Detergent?
Always follow our washing instructions for best results.
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Use a powder detergent, not liquid
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Avoid fabric softeners, laundry soap, and soap flakes (including homemade) – they leave oily residue
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Use 1/4 to 1/2 scoop of detergent for 20–25 nappies (adjust down if washing fewer)
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Line drying in the sun naturally removes stains and disinfects
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Select a wash cycle that uses plenty of water for a thorough clean
🧼 Detergent buildup can reduce absorbency — less is more.
3. Strip Washing – Is It Time for a Deep Clean?
If you’ve been using your nappies for a while and notice reduced absorbency, they might need a strip wash.
👉 See our Strip Wash Guide here
That said, with a solid wash routine and the right detergent, strip washes should be rare.
4. Fit & Sizing – Is the Nappy Too Loose or Too Tight?
A poor fit is one of the most common causes of leaks.
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Nappies should be snug but not tight
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If it leaves red marks, it’s too small
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If there are gaps at the legs or back, it’s too big
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Check fit with baby on their side and back
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The front should sit at or slightly above the belly button
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Use the snaps to adjust rise and waist — tabs can overlap for smaller bubs
5. Clothing – Could Clothing Be Causing Wicking?
Tight clothing like onesies or bloomers can press fabric against the nappy and wick moisture out.
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Always ensure no clothing is tucked into the nappy
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Choose looser-fitting clothes or size up
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Avoid clothing that presses tightly against the nappy edges
6. Absorbency – Is One Insert Enough?
As your baby grows, so does their output!
If the nappy feels heavy and saturated after a short time, add extra absorbency:
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Simply add a second bamboo insert into the pocket
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Adjust the fit if needed after adding inserts
7. Nighttime Leaks – Do You Change at Feeds?
Night leaks usually come from:
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Not enough absorbency (add a second insert)
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Poor tummy fit (especially for tummy sleepers)
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Skipping nappy changes at night feeds
✔️ Always change your baby during night feeds – what goes in must come out!
Still Leaking? We're Here to Help.
If you’ve tried the steps above and are still getting leaks, reach out to us here. We'll help you troubleshoot your unique situation and get you back to dry, happy nappying.
TROUBLESHOOT - HELP! I'M GETTING LEAKS!
If you are experiencing leaks with your nappies, there may be a number of factors contributing to this.
Please review the information below and contact us with any further questions.
PRE-WASH - have your pre-washed your nappies? We recommend pre-washing 3-4 times before use, however your nappies may continue to increase in absorbancy for up to 6 washes.
WASHING - how are you washing your nappies? We recommend following our washing instructions at all times (see here).
Using too much detergent can create a build up of detergent and oils in the inserts which can effect the absorbancy. We always recommend using a powder detergent rather than a
liquid, and never use fabric softeners, laundry soap and soap flakes (including home made) as these can leave an oily residue on your nappies which will quickly effect the absorbancy.
Always use a reduced amount detergent with your nappies. We recommend using a quarter to a half scoop of detergent to 20-25 nappies (this can be reduced if washing less).
Line drying your nappies in the sun will act as a natural disinfectant and stain remover. This removed the need to use extra detergents, whitners, brightners or fabric softeners.
Also ensure you select a cycle that will allow your nappies to wash with plenty of water. This will allow a thorough clean of your nappies.
STRIP WASHING - how long have you been using your nappies for? Over time, your nappies may get a build up of oils and detergent in the inserts which can effect the absorbancy. Doing a simple strip wash can help them regain their absorbancy. See here for details on how to strip wash your nappies.
However, please keep in mind, if you are washing your nappies with lots of rinse water and the right amount (and type) of detergent you will find that you rarely need to strip wash.
FIT/SIZING - does the sizing of your nappy need to be adjusted? Cloth Nappies should be firm but not tight. If the nappy is leaving any marks on your little ones skin, then the sizing is too small. If there are gaps around the legs and back, then the sizing is too big. Nappies that are too tight and/or too loose can experience leaks.
Always check the fit when baby is on their side as well as their back. Also check the height of the nappy against babies belly button. If the nappy is sitting below the belly button this can lead to leakages at the front, if this the case, simply adjust the size using the snaps at the front of the nappy to make it higher. The waste and legs can be adjusted by tightening the snaps at the top of the nappy. Don't forget, the tabs can overlap for newbies!
CLOTHING - always ensure no clothing is tucked in to the nappy and/or no clothing is touching the bamboo inner layer of the nappy.
You may find that when baby is wearing clothing that is naturally tighter around the legs (such as onsies or bloomers), the material of the clothes will start to absorb the wee once the insert is full. This may appear to be the nappy leaking but it is caused by the tight clothing against the nappy. We recommend sizing up in items such as onsies and bloomers when using Cloth Nappies.
ABSORBANCY - do you have enough absorbancy? As your little one gets bigger, so does the volume of their wee. Similarly the more they drink, the more they will wee! If you find that your little ones nappy is full (it will be quite heavy) after a short period of time, you may need some extra absorbancy. This is where our nappies are fantastic as you can simply add another insert to boost the absorbancy.
LEAKAGES AT NIGHTTIME - do you change your babies nappy at feed time? We always recommend changing babies nappy when feeding during the night - what goes in must come out!
If you are finding that your little one is continuously leaking during the night, you may need extra absorbancy. This can easily be achieved by doubling-up the inserts - simply insert a second insert into the nappy pocket. Always double check the sizing after adding any extra inserts as the sizing may need to be adjusted to account for the additional insert. Also check the fit of the nappy when baby is lying on their tummy.
If you have been through all of this and still experiencing leaks, please contact us and we will help you work it out.
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