A lot of people water test diapers for absorbency to see how well they preform. Another common water test is to see if a mystery fabric or a fleece wicks, absorbs or repels. So today we are going to discuss water testing, of the fabric variety (not water testing for hard or soft water, that's another subject).
Water testing fleece:
So say you have some fleece and you want to know if it wicks, repels or absorbs? First off know your fleeces, which fleece decides which job it does. I have a blog post called "understanding the fleeces". You can pretty much tell which fleece is which by look and feel. Cotton, hemp and bamboo-rayon fleece are the absorbers and are the type of fabric your sweat pants are made of; knit one one side and fuzzy on the other. Water resistant fleeces are fuzzy on booth sides with a thick pile like a polar fleece jacket. And micro fleece is thin, fuzzy on both sides with a smooth short pile. Go to your fabric store and check out each type just to see and understand. You can probably ask for a sample swatch. I recommend this for new seamstresses to keep a sewing journal. Its a great learning and reference tool and I talk about it on my post "How Do I Learn My Fabrics". And if you've ever asked "what is this fabric" or "what fabric do I use" etc I recommend reading this short post and trying out these tips.
So obviously your now wondering do I ever need to water test my fleece? The answer is; maybe, sometimes. Sometimes a fleece that should be water resistance isn't so much, or at all. Generally I find this only with anti-pil fleece. I have had great success with blizzard fleece. If the fleece is a blanket from the store, you'll probably need to test it. You can check the label first. If its not 100% poly, its not going to be water resistant.
To water test a water resistant fleece you need to wash it first. Many don't repel well until washed. Likewise many wicking and absorbing fabrics do repel until washed. Its a mixed bag. So wash then water test. If it beads you have water resistant.
Water testing mystery fabric:
Generally I don't recommend using mystery fabric. You just can't be sure what it is your putting in baby's private parts and that worries me. Some are not worried by this. So if your comfortable using mystery fabric here is the down low on water testing. First you have to wash the fabric. Many fabrics don't do their designated job properly till washed. So if you wash a fabric that is a repelling fabric or wicking fabric and then test, you'll get an accurate test. If the fabric is an absorbing fabric your not going to always get an accurate test till it has been washed 3-6 times (fabric dependant). So you can see the problem with this approach. You wash, test and it repels or wicks. Your super thrilled, make a boat load of diapers with it, prep them 3-8 times and find out they absorb. Your gonna be totally bummed at best. At worst you go online to see why they stopped working and get told to try 20 different wash routines, strip, re-prep, it all still doesn't function and you give up. Best to use a fabric you know.
Water testing diapers prior to baby's arrival: I've done this. That nesting instinct just kicks our poor mommy emotions and senses. We want to touch and cuddle and use and wash and organize all our precious baby items and be 110% ready, know all is perfect and just have a reason to have the baby items in hand while we anxiously wait for our lil monkey's to arrive. It can really drive us nuts. And we see all these other moms water testing their newly made diaper stash and we so want to as well.
They aren't accurate. I tried cuz I saw everyone else online doing it. I've been cloth diapering forever but all that info plays with your mommy brain. Its just impossible to make it accurate. Water is different then pee, even warm water. The stream if urine is not the same as pouring. The pressure from your hand, or books or whatever isn't the same as the pressure if a newborn in a diaper, or an older baby who is sitting, or walking etc. You get the point? Wanna know what is a good test? Using an insert in your panties to catch the pee when you sneeze while pregnant (I was desperate one day lol, but they worked). There is if course no harm in testing to occupy yourself while pregnant. Go ahead and make those days pass more quickly any way you possibly can.
What I ask though is please be aware its not accurate and don't go telling other moms that you specific fabric choice, layers and combos have such and such a result based on your test. Doing so is providing inaccurate info and is not helpful. The internet is full if way to many over night experts.
Also keep this in mind when buying diapers. Don't buy on a water test result! Buy on the recommendation of real life testers and moms who have been using cloth diapers long term.
So what's the best way to pick your fabrics and number of layers? Ask advice of those who have a lot of varied experience, who know fabrics. Read by fabric reference page (listed on the right) and buy known fabrics. Enjoy!
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