Microfiber or MF is a synthetic fabric commonly used for inserts in pocket diapers. It was designed by the cleaning industry to trap dirt and germs. It does this effectively because of the shape of the fibers. This is the number one reason why I recommend not using it in your diapers. It has other issues though. It can not touch baby's skin. In my opinion a fabric that isn't safe to touch baby's skin probably shouldn't be used. It is absorbent and trim, however it doesn't retain the pee it absorbs and has issues with compression leaks. It isn't durable, over time it breaks down and the leak issues increase. It has a very low washability, I rank it 3/10. This is because of it's designed purpose to trap dirt and germs. Many people who have a mixed diaper stash report that they have ammonia but only in their MF. And the issue lays in the design. So why do people use it? Three reasons:
1. Its cheap
2. Its trim
3. Almost every commercial pocket diaper company uses it (because it's cheap), and since pocket diapers are the main choice of new CD moms, that's what they get.
If you want to use MF, how should you use it?
•inside a pocket
•sandwiched between other fabrics
•better as inserts and soakers (sewing into the wet zone of a diaper will compound washing issues).
If you want to replace the MF inserts you currently have some popular choices are:
•fst's: flour sack towels
•prefolds
•hemp or bamboo fleece
•flannel
*you can use any absorbent fabrics of course. To see absorbent fabric options check out my fabric reference page
Below is a pic if an MF fiber under a microscope. The dirt and germs go into it and stay inside
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