Top Natural Fabrics for Cloth Diapering
Cotton
This inexpensive and widely available plant based fabric is beginner friendly for all the right reasons. Soft, absorbent, breathable and easy to clean, it serves as the perfect crossover from synthetic to natural. Additionally, organic cotton cultivated without synthetic pesticides, is gaining traction in the cloth diapering market for being extra gentle on a baby’s skin and the environment.
Use as: flats, prefolds, inserts, fitted diapers
EcoSnug is offering not just organic but also unbleached cotton fitted cloth diapers!
👉To Pre-Order on the latest stash, Click here.
Hemp
Hemp is the workhorse of cloth diapering – exceptionally absorbent and hardy, it is a preferred choice in overnight diapers. Often blended with cotton for enhanced softness and overall function, hemp is also naturally anti- bacterial and mold-resistant. Lightweight and slim with high moisture holding capacity; doesn’t get better than that!
Use as: inserts, overnight doublers, fitted diapers
Source of images: https://ecoable.net/ecoable-baby-hemp-night-fitted-cloth-diaper-one-size/?srsltid=AfmBOorQXpE6DtYWTMKumeWiCc_2ZEWyX7iw4m-BoqK1abMn6fvUWYL_
Bamboo
While the raw material bamboo is derived from the bamboo plant, the resultant fabric is of two types:
- Bamboo Viscose or Rayon : This is the most commonly used variant in clothing and diapering. It is derived from a fairly harsh chemical processing of the raw bamboo pulp that destroys most of bamboo’s natural goodness. Being semi-synthetic, it is not very eco-friendly either. Bamboo diapers are quiet popular thanks to their soft and absorbent nature but it is important to not be confused by the labeling on the diaper. Just “bamboo” usually means viscose or rayon, unless stated otherwise.
- Bamboo Linen : Extracting bamboo fiber from raw bamboo stalk through mechanical processing is a slow, labor-intensive and therefore, expensive affair. The resultant fabric, though truly natural, is coarse, making it an unpopular choice for baby products. If natural fabric diapering is your priority, it’s best to stay with cotton, hemp or wool instead.
Use as: Fitted diapers, inserts, inner linings
Wool
Pure wool is breathable and naturally anti- bacterial. It has temperature regulating properties making it an all-seasons diapering choice. When lanolized, wool provides a water-resistant barrier. That makes it a perfect candidate for diaper covers!
It is also self-cleaning and can be washed after multiple uses depending on frequency of use. Air drying between uses is enough before a full wash. Want to know more about how to use wool ? Here is a detailed guide for beginners!
Use as: Nighttime covers over fitteds, flats or prefolds
Linen and silk also belong to the natural fold and while they can be used for specific reasons such as sensitive skin, they do not pass the absorbency test needed to secure a place in mainstream diapering. Interestingly, Silk can offer a somewhat stay-dry feel and is used in diaper liners. They don’t just make cleaning the poop easy but also help in healing the rashes. Disana, a german brand, offers silk liner. Check it out here!
Here is a New Parents Guide to Cloth Diapers that might come in handy in your Cloth Diapering Journey.