There are a lot of fleeces out there and in cloth diapering they fall into 3 categories with 3 different jobs. In this post I'll cover the 3 jobs of fleece and what they are in a quick point form format, then I'll cover how to use them in cloth diapers. The 3 categories of fleece are as follows:
Water resistant fleece:
•windpro
•blizzard
•arctic
•polar
•mountain
•anti pil (although it's hit and miss so not a great choice).
Absorbent:
•cotton fleece
•hemp fleece
•bamboo-rayon fleece (also known as shobf and hobf which stands for (super) heavy organic bamboo fleece) * it is not organic.
Wicking/stay dry:
•microfleece
To read about each performance wise check my fabric reference
page
How to use water resistant fleece:
Water resistant fleeces are barriers to stop the wetness from a diaper from getting on clothes and furniture. So it is always used as an outside layer (minus optional decorative layer). Water resistant fleeces are used to make covers (wrap style, soakers, longies and shorties), and for the outer layer of an HF (with or without a decorative layer over top). Water resistant fleece works pretty well (except anti pil which is hit and miss). Consequently you only need 1-2 layers. Some people use one layer with a second only in the wet zone to keep things trim. You can read more about HF's
here.
How to use absorbent fleeces:
Absorbent fleeces can be used in any absorbent part of the diaper.
•entire part of flat, prefold or fitted
•petals or soakers of fitteds, HF, wio's and aio's
•soaker pad of wio's
•inner parts of aio's
• inserts of pockets and flips.
If you want to use absorbent fleece you can use it exclusively or as a combo with other absorbent fabrics or use it just as a topper (for softness against baby's skin).
6 layers cotton fleece, 5 layers bamboo-rayon fleece or 4 layers hemp fleece would give you the absorbency you need.
If you have a heavy wetter a combo of 2 layers flannel (absorbs quick) with hemp fleece (absorbs lots) with a soaker of the same construction should do the trick.
If your using bamboo-rayon fleece (generally called shobf or hobf) keep in mind it is a synthetic despite the name. And as a synthetic it has a lower washability. I recommend minimal layers or in combo with natural fabrics.
How to use microfleece:
Microfleece is the only wicking / stay dry fleece. It is used as a single layer topper. It pulls the wetness down into your absorbent layers. To work you use just one layer next to baby's skin. Only absorbing and water resistant fabrics are increased in effectiveness with additional layers. Add additional layers to a wicking fabric means it has to wick through additional layers so one layer is best. To use wicking fleece:
•lay a single cut piece on inside of diaper
•sew to top of soaker
•sew to inside layer of diaper next to baby's skin (if no soaker goes on top)
•inside layer of pocket diaper.
