Water Proof and Resistant Fabrics:
1. Polyurethane Laminated Polyester (PUL)
Highly waterproof fabric. A thin polyurethane layer is bonded to a stretchy polyester knit in a high heat industrial process. It is recommended as an outer layer on diapers, cloth menstrual pads, or for waterproof bags for wet diapers.
2. Wool
Wool makes a wonderful diaper cover, or double duty diaper cover clothing! Treated with lanolin, the fatty substance that acts as a natural waterproofing agent, wool can be a great addition to your cloth diapering collection. Felt this fabric by washing on hot and drying on hot. This will knit the wool fibres closer together for a thicker barrier.
3. Polyester Fleece
There are many varieties of polyester fleece used in diapers. It is important to consider the options carefully before choosing. Fleece does not absorb moisture and is a surprisingly breathable fabric -- much more so than PUL! Fleece is loved for summer and night time covers.
Lightweight microfleece (100 weight)
This is the fleece most often chosen as a next to skin fabric. It wicks moisture away from skin and keeps baby's skin feeling dry
Midweight (200 weight)
This fabric is water resistant. It is suitable for a cover or outside of an all in one for moderate to light wetters. Subject to "compression wicking" meaning if pressure is put against the outside of the fabric such as in a car seat or high chair moisture will wick through to the outside. Can also "sweat" if the diaper is too wet underneath.
Heavyweight (300 weight)
This fabric is very water resistant. Suitable for a cover or outside of a diaper for most babies. More waterproof than 200 weight, and also much thicker. Subject to "compression wicking" meaning if pressure is put against the outside of the fabric such as in a car seat or high chair moisture will wick through to the outside. Can also "sweat" if the diaper is too wet underneath.
The "best" fleece is made by Malden Mills. They invented fleece, and the brand-name fleeces that outdoor clothing is made from are their products (i.e. Polartec, Windpro. Malden Mills fleece is generally not available in retail fabric stores (like Joann Fabrics, Walmart, Fabricland), but you can order it online from many diaper-making sites. Malden Mills fleece is manufactured to resist pilling and fibre loss, so it lasts a little longer. The retail fleece is the same thickness as Malden Mills fleece; it just may pill not hold up as long.
Absorbent Fabrics:
1. Zorb
Wazoodle has a new soaker super absorbent fabric available product called Zorb. The key goal of Zorb is to reduce the overall thickness of the absorbent part of a diaper, AND to minimize the number of layers needed. I am going to use Zorb to stuff my pocket diapers.
For a head to head comparison on thickness, stacking Zorb on a desk against the common fabrics will show you something like this. 1 layer of Zorb is the same as:
• 3 layers of flannel
• 2.25 layers of French terry
• 1.3 layers of cotton fleece
• 1 layer of sherpa.
Now, to get the same absorbency, as 2 layer of Zorb, you will need:
• 8 layers of flannel
• 6 layers of French terry
• 5 layers of cotton fleece
• 4 layers of sherpa.
I am patiently waiting for my backordered Zorb to arrive from Wazoodle. Hurry up guys ...
Flannel
French Terry
Cotton Fleece
Sherpa
