Ethics - DSS vs Wazoodle.

In a previous posts I've talked a fair but about my love for simplifi fabrics.  Today I'm going to talk about two more mainstream online fabric shops that specifically target cloth diaper sewing moms.  Absorbency advice at the end.

Options:
DSS (diaper sewing supplies) and wazoodle both focus in mainstream modern cloth diapers.  There main selling is people making AIO'S, AI2's and pockets. 

•DSS heavily touts their PUL.  If you didn't know better (any many moms initially don't), you'd think you need PUL to cloth diaper.  Fair enough, it's their product.  And its not like they claim it's better then wool or fleece, they just don't mention them as options.  On my scale I rate this 6/10.  But I'm an idealist, 8/10 might make sense to more people.  Hey DSS, offer up some variety :)

•Wazoodle offers a bit of each option.  The wool is in the higher price end (like simplifi. Unlike Nature's).  I'm giving this a 9/10 for giving their customers options

Product descriptions:
•DSS gives really good product descriptions.  You know what you are buying on each and evey fabric.  The descriptions are acurate. Descriptive and helpful all around.  Ethics- 10/10. 

•Wazoodle not only gives poor product descriptions they slant they buyer towards the fabrics they invented, zorb and its sister fabric (invented by the cleaning industry), MF.  To make it even worse they use loop holes to avoid giving full fabric content on zorb (proprietary info).  Luckily the blog Dirty Diaper Laundry interviewed and hounded for an answer....zorbs secret fiber content is MF (microfibre).  Ethics 2/10

Bamboozled:

•DSS has to be given credit here.  When it comes to bamboo-rayon descriptions they are completely honest.  No false claims of being antimicrobial.  No misleading naming of bamboo fleece (they omit the word organic).  They call it bamboo from viscose (ie rayon).  Ethics: 10/10.  Really they need extra credit for this. 

•Wazoodle touts the diaper fabric party line with names like "heavy organic bamboo fleece".  They make all kinds if claims in the properties if bamboo, which bamboo has...until it's made into fabric (linen excluded).  Considering their famous zorb invention contains bamboo this isn't a huge surprise.  Ethics 4/10

Product advice:
•DSS offers average advice on fabric uses.  I disagree with them advising you don't have to prewash.  You'll be happier with your finished product if you do.  Otherwise they offer vary good advice on how to sew and use.  They compare bamboo-rayon, cotton and hemp in a vary accurate way with the pros and cons if each and what's best for different families.  Ethics: 8.5/10 * the don't "have" to prewash really disappointed me especially since so many moms sewing CD's are new to sewing. 
 
•Wazoodle offers a calculator to decide number of layers.  It is the MOST inaccurate thing I've ever read.  Just don't read it!  They drastically underestimate layers if fabrics needed.  Additionally they tout their MF/Zorb horn again by claiming its most absorbent.  It absolutely isn't.  OK it can absorb lots...but it can't hold what it absorbs so that's irrelevant.  I think when moms ponder absorbency they mean absorbed and held.  On top of that, while they mention lint etc can become trapped inside MF (and so zorb) while in the wash. They neglect to mention it also traps dirt and germs.  Yuck!  Ethics 1/10

Overall:
• DSS gets an 8.6/10 on ethics if your a major idealist, otherwise they get 9.1/10.  I would consider them a company worth shopping from.  If they decide to carry wool in the future that would be amazing.  (In colour variety hint hint). 

•Wazoodle gets a failing grade in ethics here with a mere 4.25/10.  I would not (do not) shop from this store. 

Absorbency advice:
Ask moms who know and not anyone trying to sell you something.  Under recommended posts I have my "fabric reference page".  Read it.  Follow long time CD using and sewing moms, join a cloth diaper sewing Facebook page (or several really).  Learn who the experienced moms are.  Really an absorbency test isn't that accurate (sorry moms awaiting baby to try CD's).  Absorbency needs testing in the field.  If not on baby's bum, try what I did, test out those inserts inside your undies while pregnant to catch those pee sneezes.  Talk to moms who have used variety.  Rocket bums has a fb group run by the RB inventor and she has tried many styles and fabrics too.