There might be a cloth or a baby wipe between the reverse piston of the DiaperChamp. When the handle is in a horizontal position you can pull off the upper part. You can easily clean the DiaperChamp by taking it apart, please check the instruction video on the website to see how you can take apart the different pieces of the DiaperChamp. The DiaperChamp can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Please be aware that the silicon rings and the piston cannot be placed in the dishwasher, these pieces can be harmed by too strong cleaning agents.