Can I use this fabric?

Thriftiness and cloth diapering often (but not always) go hand in hand.  Consequently it is common to hear "can I use this fabric" with a picture or vague classification.  I understand and applaud the thrifty, always looking for a deal or upcycle attitude.  I do.  But, this is going on your baby's bum, right next to their skin, in the region of their genitals.  For this reason mystery fabric is out in my opinion.  If the fabric and fiber content is clearly labelled or easily identified check the fabric reference page here.   You can also fine it on the right hand side of the blog with a list of key pages. 

I found Fleece
Fleece blankets often show up for sale in stores.  If its cotton,  hemp or bamboo-rayon it is absorbing.  But most fleece in stores is poly.  Issue here is which poly fleece?  You can water test to see if it beads (water resistant), or if it wicks (brings water through but feels dry-ish to the touch (micro fleece, usually very thin).  The problem is you have to wash fleece first to see how it will preform.  I've tested fleece blankets at home and not found one that was ideal for making an HF.  You can test it OTB (on the bum).  But be prepared that it may not preform. 

Bathmats, cleaning rags, sham wows, and other fabrics not designed to be worn
Key here; not designed to be worn. 
Yes you could possibly use it.  However it is going on your baby's bum and it wasn't designed too.   I recommend passing on these items.  It gives me the heebie geebies thinking of diapers made of such items.  Who knows what's in it? 

Shower curtains and other water proof items:
No.  Just don't.  Yes it would be waterproof as a diaper cover, aio or pocket.  But still don't, it's a great way to end up with baby having diaper rash and or heat rash because it's not breathable at all.  Yes someone came up with the first plastic pant this way, it became popular and was used for a few decades by some.  But during those decades there was a resurgence in diaper rash that hadn't been seen since the dirty dark ages of Europe.  We have pul and tpu and water resistant fleece now, we've always had wool. Make covers out of these fabrics.  Wool can be upcycled.  Fleece can be found on sale.  Sorry no cheap pul/tpu options. 

Upcycled clothing and bedding towels. 
Go for it!  Just double check to know what it is for sure and check the fabric reference page for use.  T-shirts are best for decorative outers, towels tend to be Terry. And flannel can be found in bedding and flannel shirts.  Wool is often used for covers.  Make sure its wool of at least 80% wool and no cotton, hemp or bamboo-rayon as they will make it absorb. Minky cuddle blankets? Probably a  great decorative outer.  

Have fun thrift shopping, and for some fun, here's Macklemore for inspiration lol. 

Understanding the fleeces

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. 

 

Understanding the terry fabrics

When we think if terry we think of bath towels.  And yes that is terry.  But Terry comes in a few varieties. It also is composed if different materials: cotton, hemp and bamboo-rayon.  Cotton and hemp terry have the advantage of being natural fabrics while the bamboo-rayon Terry is if course synthetic.  Being a rayon, the bamboo-rayon terry has a more silky feel then hemp or cotton.  Terry is very absorbent due to the way in which it us constructed with a loop shaped knit.  With French Terry it is a flat loop, the others are vertical loops like a towel.  For this reason French Terry is a thinner less bulky fabric.  The loops bring in wetness and distribute it throughout the fabric.  Hemp bkt is the most absorbent of your terry choices, but all are good choices.  You can use any of the terry fabrics for any part (or all) of the absorbent part if your diaper.  I do advise  layering with natural fabrics and/or pieces no more then 3-4 layers thick. 

Hemp fabrics for diapers

Hemp is an environmentally friendly diaper choice.  Hemp is a fibrous material from the cannabis plant (and no you can't get high from it and yes it is legal in Canada and the US).  It grows very quickly so it is considered renewable.  To make fabric from hemp it is mechanically processed (as opposed to chemically processed like bamboo), and generally blended with cotton.  Being a natural fabric it has a washability of 10/10.  A simple straight forward wash routine will get your hemp fabrics clean wash after wash. Hemp is hypo-allergenic and antimicrobial (bamboo is not and can be fined for making claims that it is).  In my fabric reference page you will find several types of hemp fabrics (listed with their cotton counter parts).  Hemp Terry, French terry, BKT and hemp fleece are the main hemp diaper choices.

Hemp is more expensive then cotton, it is also 2-3 times more absorbent.  So although you would spend more buying the fabric, you would use less layers so price wise it should come out about the same (unless making flats). 

Preparing to sew with hemp fabric:
First you need to prewash for shrinkage before sewing.  After sewing you will need to prep by washing several times (5 minimum) to get out the natural oils.  

Using hemp in your diapers:
You can use hemp for any absorbent part of your diaper.  Being a natural fabric you can use it for the entire absorbent part if you like although bkt would be very thick.  You could make a very trim and absorbent diaper with hemp.  If you wanted a very eco friendly organic diaper pair hemp with wool and raw silk. 

MF - microfiber; a fabric to think twice about

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

The Truth About Bamboo

There are various types of bamboo rayon fabrics used for the absorbent part of a diaper.  They all work pretty well (although zorb has minor compression issues).  What people need to know about bamboo when choosing it is that it is a synthetic,  chemically processed fabric. The American federal trade commission in 2010 found bamboo rayon to be so chemically processed that it no longer held any if the properties of bamboo.  Now I  am not saying "don't use it".  That is completely up to you.  What I am saying is know what you are using so that you make the right choice for you and your family.  I personally won't use it because of the deceptive way in which it is marketed, often simply by the name (obv - organic bamboo velour & hobf - heavy organic bamboo fleece).  I also won't use zorb because not only is it bamboo rayon, it also uses MF (which I will later write about) and I take issue with how wazoodle markets it.  They did admit to its construction but you have to dig for the information.  I want fabric and suppliers that are upfront with me, I don't believe we should have to dig for the truth.  Link

Washability: synthetics do not wash as clean as natural fabrics.  That is just how it is.  Zorb I rank as even lower because it does have MF in it which has further cleaning issues. 

To use a synthetic I recommend using limited layers.  A diaper with one or two synthetic layers will wash cleaner then a diaper with exclusively synthetic layers.  Another way to help the washability of a diaper with synthetic fabrics is to have separate layers.  For example 4 layers in diaper plus a soaker that is attached at one end by sewing or snaps or inserted into a pocket.  That way at laundry time your only washing through a few layers at a time.  Layered petals and fold over snake style soakers are a great way to go in making a diaper that will come out nice and clean wash after wash.  Plus it will dry better. 

•Best way to use bamboo is a multi layered effect and in combination with natural layers.  

Fabric reference page

Fabric reference page for diapers

Fabrics for cloth diapers fall under 4 main categories: Absorbent, wicking & stay dry, water repellent / water proof, decorative.  I'm going to to a point form rundown of fabrics for cloth diapers giving the main information you need for deciding if its a fabric you want to use, and how and where to use it. 

Before I do I want to say the fabric you choose is personal choice.  When you see a pattern you like that says use 1 layer hobf, 1 MF and 3 French terry (for a random example), you don't have to use those fabrics, they are all absorbent fabrics, use the absorbent fabrics you want to use.  Top with wicking jersey?  That is not a have to either, its an option.  

While I do answer layers needed to the best of my ability, you don't necessarily want to use all one fabric for your layers. 

I will write some other posts discussing extra information about various fabrics.  This post doesn't include pictures of fabrics but that is best done when ordering as brands may vary.

Cotton Flannel:
•absorbent
•10/10 washability
•natural fabric
•affordable
•classic diaper fabric
•use for any absorbent part of diaper
•softens with each wash.
•has some minor piling
• 9 layers is sufficient and not bulky
*can be used as decorative layer

Birdseye and Muslin:
•cotton
•absorbent
•10/10 washability
•natural fabric
•low to medium cost
•classic diaper fabric
•use for any absorbent part of the diaper
•12 layers is ideal and not bulky. 
•softens as washed

Jersey knit: (t-shirt fabric)
•absorbent
•cotton or hemp
•natural fabric
•washability 10/10
•need many layers for good absorbency, not an ideal choice for absorbent parts of diaper but can be used if you choose
•medium cost, easy to find in sale
*decorative layer (upcycled t-shirts with logos are a popular decorative layer

French Terry:
•absorbent
•cotton or hemp
•natural fabric
•washability 10/10
•use in any absorbent part of diaper
•6-7 layers cotton, 3-4 hemp, makes a trim soft diaper
•moderate cost for cotton, can be pricey for hemp

Burly knit terry -BKT:
•absorbent
• cotton or hemp
•natural
•washability 10/10
•has bigger loops then regular terry and is very thick and equally absorbent. 
•4-5 layers or 2-3 layers hemp but would be bulky, can be used in any absorbent part if diaper but generally used for soakers and inserts

Cotton Sherpa:
•absorbent
•natural
•washability 10/10
• becomes very fluffy and pils but is supposed to do that, its part if the absorbency
•can be uaed in any absorbent part of diaper but generally used as a soft absorbent topper, has some stay dry effect
•4 layers, bulky

Cotton & hemp fleece
•absorbent
•natural (although some include poly).
•washability 10/10
•designed to pil and be fluffy, like cotton Sherpa but thinner and less absorbent.   6 layer cotton 4 hemp. used in any absorbent part of diaper but generally as a topper or soaker. 

Cotton or Hemp Velour:
•absorbent/stay dry
•poly backing for durability makes this 80% natural, 20% synthetic
•washability 9/10
•can be used for any absorbent part if diaper but generally used as a topper that is super soft next to babies skin.
• to use as topper, replace two layers flannel or equivalent. Hemp version could replace 3 layers
•moderate durability
*can be used as a decorative layer

Cotton Batting:
•natural
•absorbent
•reasonably priced
•washability 10/10
•durability is 8/10 but it needs to be sandwiched between other fabrics and quilted (sew quilt lines through it)
•can be used in any absorbent part of diaper but to work it is best used as a single layer quilted between fabrics in the wet zone or an additional soaker, it will boast the absorbency of a flannel soaker or core.  

(S)HOBF - (super) heavy organic bamboo fleece-
•synthetic (despite the name)
•bamboo and cellulose fibers
•absorbent
•washability 8/10
•4-5 layers, bulky, can be used on any absorbent part if diaper
•moderate durability (rayons have lower durability then cotton or hemp)

Bamboo French Terry:
• synthetic
•bamboo and cellulose fibers
•absorbent
•washability 8/10
•6 layers, trim, can be used in any absorbent part of diaper
•very silky soft
•moderate durability

Charcoal Bamboo:
•absorbent
•synthetic
•bamboo, cellulose fibers and charcoal (yes actual charcoal)
•washability 8/10
•used in any absorbent part of diaper but most often as inserts (known as CBI), or soakers.
•Moderate durability
•4- 5 layers

Zorb:
•absorbent
•synthetic made of bamboo, cellulose and micro fibers
•washability 7/10
•zorb 1 must be sandwiched between layers Zorb 2 has a topper
•6-7 layers can be used in any absorbent part of diaper if topped, bulky
•minor compression issues
• moderate to low durablity but based on look of it I think quilting it between other fabrics would help.  It's form is similar to cotton batting.

OBV - organic bamboo velour:
• absorbent
synthetic fabric using bamboo, cotton and cellulose fibers , with a poly backing
•washability 7.5/10
•can be used for any absorbent part of diaper but generally used as a topper for softness against skin
•as an absorbent topper use to replace 2-3 layers flannel or equivalent
•moderate durability
* can be used as a decorative layer

Minky:
•absorbent
•synthetic
•pricey
•washability 8./10 -but if used as a single layer topper and or decorative outer for thinner layered diaper pieces I would rate washability 9/10.  But if one were to use multiple synthetic layers or to many layers it would contribute to low washability
•durable
• can be used for any absorbent part of diaper at same ratio as flannel
•it's the softest, most cuddly of diaper fabrics, combined with the price it is generally used as an absorbent topper.
*can be used as a decorative layer

MF -microfiber:
•absorbent
•synthetic
•washability 3/10 (issues build over time, why and how will be discussed in a separate post)
•lower durability
•can not touch babies skin so must be sandwiched between layers
•can be used on the middle layers if the absorbent parts of diapers
•about 1.5 times absorbency of flannel but durability effects absorbency
•compression issues
•low cost

Microfleece:
•wicking - takes wetness through to absorbent fabrics, poop is said to roll off it fairly well
•synthetic
•washability 9/10
•used as inside layer if diaper next to babies skin
•used as a topper on soakers
•used as a single piece if fabric laid on top if inside of diaper as a liner to ease clean up and to keep non CD safe creams off of diapers
•thin fabric will not add bulk

Raw Silk:
•wicking
•natural
•Washability 10/10
•used as a topper to bring wetness into absorbent layers
•pricey
•thin fabric will not add bulk

Suede Cloth:
•wicking
•synthetic
•washability 8/10 for deep clean, 10/10 surface clean (it doesn't visibly stain as stain is pulled to bottom if fibers
•used at the inside layer of diaper or as a topper on soaker, not bulky

Wicking and Athletic Jersey:
•wicking
•synthetic
•poly
•durable
•washability 9/10
•used as inside layer of diaper or topper on soaker, not bulky

Blizzard, Arctic, Polar & Mountain Fleece:
•water resistant
•synthetic
•poly
•breathable
•durable
•washability 9/10
•reasonable price range
•used as the outer layer of an HF, sometimes bottom layer of a mini, to make fleece soaker style cover, fleece diaper wrap or longies
•dries quickly

Windpro Fleece:
•water resistant (more then the other water resistant fleeces)
•fairly breathable
•poly
•synthetic
•durable
•washability 8/10
•used same as other water resistant fleeces
•pricey (but it comes with increased quality). 

Anti-pil Fleece:
•water resistant, but less so then other water resistant fleeces and some brands not at all so teat first
•poly
•synthetic
•breathable
•washability 9/10
•low cost
•used same as other water resistant fleeces. 

PUL:
•water proof
•not breathable
•synthetic
• polyurethane
•moderate durability
•washability 9/10
•used as a diaper cover, outer layer of AIO and pocket.

Taffeta:
•water proof
•fairly breathable
•synthetic
•tpu
•durable
•used as a sized diaper cover.  Not enough stretch to use in an AIO.  Could be used for a sized pocket.

Wool:
•water resistant (yet more effective then pul)
•natural
•breathable
•antibacterial, antimicrobial
•somewhat self cleaning
•washability 10/10 (and much easier then people realize)
•takes long to dry
•durable
•temperature regulating
•pricey but can be up cycled from wool sweaters of 80%-100% wool (and no cotton)
•can be felted but not necessary (although practical for WIO's)
•used for wool soaker style covers, wraps, longies and WIO's
•comes in a multitude of knits and wovens.  Thin to median weight is preferred over thick.  All of them work regardless of thickness