Cloth Diaper Fabrics and Maximizing Absorbency
Information About Materials, Using Doublers, and Washing
May 21, 2009
Cloth diapers seem to come in a variety of fabrics, sizes, and colors. While it may take a while to develop the diapering system that works best for you, it's really simple to understand the basics of cloth diapering. Here are the basics of the materials diapers are made of, what kinds of inserts exist, and how to wash diapers.
Choosing Diaper Materials
- Cotton: Cotton is probably the most common, and cheapest, material used to make cloth diapers. Diapers can be available in bleached or unbleached (a light beige color) and organic or traditional. Cotton is a natural fiber and is very absorbent.
- Hemp: Hemp is touted as being more absorbent than cotton, and is also a natural fiber. It tends to be more expensive than cotton.
- Microfiber: Microfiber is man-made, but is extremely absorbent. It also wicks moisture away. Many All-in-ones and pocket diapers will have the lining touching baby made out of microfiber to draw moisture away. Otherwise it will sit next to baby's skin and create a rash.
- PUL: PUL (polyurethane laminate) is used for covers and the outer layer of AIOs and pocket diapers. It is a layer of fabric that gets coated in waterproof material. It stays flexible and soft.
- Wool: Knit wool that is lanolized is waterproof. It may seem counterintuitive that knit wool, which has visible holes in the stitches, could be waterproof, but the lanolin forms a waterproof barrier to the wool. Wool actually breathes really well because of the holes. Wool is appropriate in the summer as well as the winter, as it does not get too hot.
Inserts: Doublers and Liners
- Doublers: Doublers, also known as soakers (not to be confused with wool soaker covers) are an extra layer of absorbent material. They can be made out of any material that diapers are made of. Doublers tend to be shaped as narrow rectangles that fit between baby's legs. Many parents use a doubler or two at night-time for extra absorbency.
- Liners: Many parents use a liner between baby's rear and the diaper. Liners can be either flushable or disposable cotton or paper, or they can be made of thin flannel so as to be reusable. Liners keep stains from diapers. Liners are cheaper and less material than diapers, so that if liners get stained it is easier to dispose of them than to dispose of a whole diaper.
Washing Cloth Diapers
Washing cloth diapers is pretty simple. Parents of exclusively breast-fed babies will find that the diaper contents don't smell, so they can put the whole diaper in the wash. Parents of older babies eating solids, or formula-fed babies, might want to shake the diaper contents into the toilet first. Be sure to use a scent-free and dye-free detergent. Parents will have to come up with their own washing routine, but be sure to use hot water and do an extra rinse if there is a concern about detergent remaining on the diaper. Alternately, diapers can be hung to dry in the sun. The sun naturally bleaches stains and kills bacteria in diapers.
Cloth diapering is great for the environment, and can save money. Once the diapers are purchased, the only expense is the water needed to wash them. Line-drying instead of machine drying saves even more money. Even if a parent only uses a few cloth diapers, and disposables the rest of the time, it can still make an impact on the environment.
This article is a continuation of Introduction to Cloth Diapers and Covers. Please read this article for information about diaper and cover types.
