Diaper Materials - Pros and Cons

[Xythnia]

So I'm currently fascinated by different materials and the way they work for diapers. I even compiled a list from what I've heard on threads and read in forums. Do you mamas agreed with this? Please help add/suggest things!

Soaker Materials (aka Absorbent, Liquid Holding Inner Fabrics)

• Microfiber
  PROS: Super Absorbent, Quick Absorption, Cheap
  CONS: Should Not Touch Skin, Synthetic materials may be more susceptible to detergent buildup, skin sensitivities and smells. Can have compression leaking.
• Hemp
  PROS: Super Absorbent, Trim, Natural material
  CONS: Can hold smells/harder to clean, Gets crunchy overtime, can have slower drying time
  TYPES: Fleece, French Terry, Velour (HTF)
• Bamboo
  PROS: Super Absorbent, Quick Absorption, Trim, Natural material, Stays soft
  CONS: Can have slower drying time, can be expensive, less durable than cotton
  TYPES: Fleece (used smooth side out else it pills), French Terry, Velour, Loop Terry
  
• Heavy Weight Cottons (Sherpa, Burley Knit Terry, ??)
  PROS: Good Absorbency, Natural materials, easy to clean/maintain, durable
  CONS: Bulkier
  
• Regular Cottons (Birdseye, Flannel, Terrycloth, ??)
  PROS: Absorbent, Trim, Natural material, easy to clean/maintain, Stays soft, durable
  CONS: Many layers needed, pilling (flannel)

Stay-Dry Materials (aka Non-Absorbent, Pass-thru Inner Fabrics)

• Suedecloth
  PROS: Soft, Like new with wear, Easy to clean solids from
  CONS: Synthetic materials may be more susceptible to detergent buildup, skin sensitivities and smells. No stretch, edges may fray
• Microfleece
  PROS:Soft, Cheap
  CONS: Synthetic materials may be more susceptible to detergent buildup, skin sensitivities and smells. Pills over time, Wears thin.
• Athletic Wicking Material
  PROS:Soft, Cheap
  CONS: Synthetic materials may be more susceptible to detergent buildup, skin sensitivities and smells. Pills over time, Wears thin,
  TYPES: Some brandnames are PowerDry, Under Armour, CoolPlus, DrySkin, etc.
• Velours (Cotton, Bamboo or Hemp)
  PROS: Soft, Natural material
  CONS: Not a true stay-dry, gets crunchy overtime
• Raw Silk
  PROS: Natural properties promote healthy skin
  CONS: Not a true stay-dry, gets crunchy overtime, Relatively rough, wears thin,not often used

Water Proof/Resistant Materials (aka Moisture-Blocking Outer Fabrics)

• PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)
  PROS: Very waterproof, Relatively inexpensive, Many Colors/Prints
  CONS: Not breathable, if made with cotton fabric it may wick
• Waterproof Nylon
  PROS: Very waterproof
  CONS: Relatively expensive, not breathable, should not be dried in the dryer
• Vinyl
  PROS: Cheap, easy to find, very waterproof
  CONS: Not breathable, should not be dried in dryer
• Polyester Fleece
  PROS: Breathable, Comes in many weights (higher = denser), wide price range
  CONS: Synthetic materials may be more susceptible to detergent buildup, skin sensitivities and smells. May look worn down quickly
• Wool
  PROS: Most Breathable, Self-Cleaning (if lanolized), Infrequent washing needed, Doubles as clothing.
  CONS: Expensive, Requires special care/cleaning routine, should not be dried in the dryer
  TYPES: Merino, Alpaca, Angora, Mohair, Llama | Knit, Woven, Interlock, Crocheted

[seannamarie]

You should break down the bamboos... a LOT of mammas have questions about that!

But good list

You're so helpful! *highfive*

[Xythnia]

- I would love to add to/improve this list!

[Xythnia]

Had this moved to Craft Chat - Can you mamas help?

[Kita]

When it comes to suedecloth and microfleece, the cons for suedecloth would be that it is more susceptible to detergent buildup (IMO), and the edges fray. For microfleece, it pills over time and becomes thinner.

[ercvt]

Originally Posted by Kita When it comes to suedecloth and microfleece, the cons for suedecloth would be that it is more susceptible to detergent buildup (IMO), and the edges fray. For microfleece, it pills over time and becomes thinner.

Ditto, and with the microfleece, again, man made material- some babies are sensitive, and can encourage build up. Pro- Cheap!

[syndibee]

an added con to suedecloth...no stretch thus doesn't grow with baby
an added pro... poop is generally easier to "plop" off it.

raw silk con...kind of rough against the skin, thin and may wear out super fast, doesn't take abuse real well.

[Xythnia]

Modified OP with your input - Thx mamas! I couldn't add much on the synthetics as I only use cotton thus far.

[gogokim]

Way awesome list! i often wondered just such things and that is very helpful to see it in print. Thank you

[syndibee]

yep, that is a great list to get stickied