Regarding the fleece, I finally figured out a way that worked a few days ago.
First, we soaked the fleece in hot water in the bath with some 7th generation dish soap for a few hours.
Then we put it in the washing machine, with (I think that this is what we used, I’ll confirm when I get home) one 'Vanish napisan power shots’ tablet thing, and some detergent I think (will check which one when I get home).
We used 90˚C water (it was the ’stain wash’), whereas before, the hottest we could figure out how to do was 60˚C. The water temperature definitely makes a difference!
I think that was what we did, I will check and confirm when I get home.
It took 1 soak and wash for my stripey fleece to be able to wick perfectly and just 1 wash and no soak for my green fleece.
After 1 soak and 1 wash (and about a million washes in the cooler water before that) my blue flowery fleece sort of wicks (water goes through but it takes about 10 seconds). There is probably some detergent residue left on it or something.
I guess it depends partly on the type of fleece and the inks used on it.
I hope that made some sense, tell me if it didn’t please!