Nappy 101: Fabrics in Cloth nappies

 

There are various types of fabrics used in modern cloth nappies. They can be roughly divided into three types: absorbent fabrics, stay-dry fabrics for lining nappies, and outer layers for water resistance and fashion.

 

Absorbent core

Hemp

Bamboo

Cotton

Microfibre

 

Stay-dry liners

Microfleece

Microsuede

 

Water resistant outer layers

Cuddlefleece

Microfleece

Wool

PUL

 

Fashion fabrics

Printed PUL

Minky

Cotton

 

 

HEMP FLEECE/FRENCH TERRY

55% Hemp, 45% Cotton

Use: Absorbent fabric, trimmer than equivalent cotton layers of absorbancy

 

Pros:

Quick to dry

Super absorbent

Naturally antibacterial

Cons:

May feel a bit crunchy after being washed a few times (this is when it gets the most absorbant though)

Absorption uptake may be too slow to catch a huge wee deluge (to combat this, pair with bamboo or microfibre)

Can hang on to smells due to its strong absorbancy (can be washed out)

 

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BAMBOO FLEECE

70% bamboo, 30% cotton

Use: Excellent absorbancy without the bulk of cotton

 

 

COTTON

Use: oldest absorbent fabric used in cloth nappying

Organic, unbleached cotton tends to be more absorbent than commercial, bleached cotton.

Cotton also comes in various prints and patterns, great for livening up the outer layer of a nappy.

 

Pros:

Quick to dry

Cheaper than hemp or bamboo

Long-lasting lifespan

 

Cons:

Cotton towelling may feel a bit crunchy after being washed a few times (this is when it gets the most absorbant though)

 

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MICROFIBRE

Use: Absorbent fabric, absorbs up to 7 times its weight in water

 

Pros:

Absorbs quickly

Dries quickly

 

Cons:

Can hang on to smells due to its strong absorbancy (can be washed out)

 

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MICROFLEECE

MICROSUEDE LINING

100% polyester

Use: thinner microfleece and microsuede is used as stay-dry lining touching babies skin

Thicker microfleece used as a breathable water resistant outer layer e.g. covers

 

Pros:

Lining allows baby to stay dry - liquids pass through it into the absorbant layers underneath, does not allow moisture to go back

Used as a cover - breathable and easy to wash & care

Quick drying

 

Cons:

A minority of babies' skin can be sensitive to microfleece and/or microsuede

 

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CUDDLEFLEECE (from Bubblebubs)

100% polyester

Fluffy furry version of microfleece (see above)

 

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WOOL

97% NZ wool, 5% lycra

Use: Mainly as a super breathable natural nappy cover.

Air pockets within the knit fabric allow for excellent airflow.

Wool fibres are able to absorb 30% their weight in liquid before feeling wet transferring excess moisture outwards where it evaporates. Its hydrophobic (water-repeling) properties keeps the wetness in.

 

Pros:

Easy care - wash and lanolise every couple of weeks or more.

Excellent breathability.

Great for night time use with an absorbent fitted nappy underneath.

Neutralises odours

 

Cons:

Be careful not to machine wash as wool shrinks when treated vigorously

 

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MINKY

100% Polyester, short pile fabric

Use: As a super lush, soft and patable outer layer on a show-off nappy.

 

Pros:

Comes in various colours and patterns.

Makes nappies fun.

Cute and patable.

 

Cons:

The short pile makes a minky nappy a little more bulky compared to a PUL one.

 

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PUL (polyurethrane laminate)

100% polyester, backed with a 1-2mil PUL layer

Cotton or bamboo material can also be laminated and used in nappies..

Use: As a breathable yet waterproof alternative to PVC.

 

Pros:

Water resistant yet the tiny pores in the laminate allow for breathability.

Thinness of PUL allows for hidden waterproofing under a fun cotton or minky outer.

 

Cons:

May not be breathable enough for some babies and heavy wetters.

 

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