Cloth Diaper Fabrics Explained

With the wonderful world of modern cloth diapers comes a wide selection of technical and speciality fabrics used for specific purposes in cloth diapers. Whether you want to sew your own or just make an informed choice of the best options for you in ready made diapers, this guide will help you understand the fabrics most commonly used.

Cloth diaper fabrics can be divided into three main categories; absorbent fabrics, stay-dry or wicking fabrics and waterproof or water-resistant fabrics.

Absorbent Fabrics
These are the fabrics that absorb the moisture and hold the wee in a diaper. It is an essential part on any cloth diaper as without it, the diaper cannot perform its purpose. Some commonly used absorbent fabrics in cloth diapers are;

Cotton
Cotton is probably the most easily available fabric and can be found in most fabric stores. Recommended cotton fabrics for use in cloth diapers include cotton fleece, flannel and terry (toweling). Cotton is relatively inexpensive, durable and a good choice for beginner sewers.

Hemp
Hemp is the ultimate in absorbent fabrics as it can hold a lot of moisture while staying trim. While hemp is the most absorbent choice in fabric, it is often blended with cotton to give it a softer feel. It is a good fabric to use if you need maximum absorbency such as night time diapers or for heavy wetters.

Microfiber
Microfiber is different from the other absorbent fabrics as it is a man-made fiber. While it is a very fast absorber, microfibre tends to act like a sponge, so if very full, can be prone to compression leaks and is best used paired with another natural fibre absorbent fabric.

Bamboo
Bamboo is also a great choice in cloth diapers as it is very thirsty and stays soft after many washes. Bamboo often comes in the form of fleece, velour or terry (toweling).

Stay-dry and wicking fabrics
These fabrics are usually used inside diapers to provide a stay-dry feel. They can be especially useful for babies prone to diaper rashes due to wetness, and are used as either a diaper lining or a seperate liner placed against baby’s bum. Because they are not absorbent, they allow moisture to wick through to the absorbent parts while keeping moisture away from the skin.

Suedecloth/brushed polyester
Suedecloth an affordable choice of stay-dry fabric and also very easy to sew. It usually has one brushed side and one smooth side. The soft brushed side goes against the skin. This fabric is most commonly used in pocket style diapers.

Microfleece
Microfleece is very soft and has a luxurious feeling. It is the most commonly used fabric for washable diaper liners, and can also be used to line the inside of the diaper.

Athletic Wicking Jersey

Athletic Wicking Jersey (AWJ) is a 100% polyester fabric that is often used in sports clothing. It rapidly wicks moisture away from the skin and allows for a cool, comfortable feel. This fabric is usually lightweight and ideal for wear in hotter climates as it feels cooler than microfleece and suedecloth.

Waterproof and water-resistant fabrics
These fabrics are worn around the outside of a diaper to keep moisture inside and prevent leaking. They can be sewn into a diaper as in an all-in-one style, or can be used for making a seperate cover to be worn over a fully absorbent diaper.

TPU/PUL
These are breathable waterproof fabrics used in most modern cloth diapers. They often consist of a polyester or synthetic base fabric. A waterproof poyurethane membrane is bonded to the base fabric using a heat bonding method (TPU) or chemical bonding method (PUL). These fabrics require special care as they can delaminate or get damaged if not cared for properly.

Polar Fleece
This 100% polyester fabric is water repellant, meaning it will repel water back into a diaper and keep the outside dry. While it is a more breathable option than PUL/TPU, moisture can eventually leak through if the diaper underneath gets saturated.

Wool
Wool is a popular choice for overnight use in cover as it is very breathable. Similar to polar fleece, it is also water repellant but needs to be lanolised (process of coating the wool with lanolin) in order for it to keep it’s water repellent properties.

Softshell

Softshell is a term for a variety of fleeces traditionally designed for outdoor clothing. It is usually more dense than polar fleece and typically offers better moisture protection than traditional polar fleece. Some softshell fabrics have a hidden breathable polyurethane layer inside making it waterproof. The breathability and water-resistance or waterproof properties vary between different makes of this relatively new technology fabric.