Natural fibers wash well.
I find that natural fibers are much more forgiving in the wash when compared to microfiber. Microfiber's build seems to allow it to get buildup easier, which can cause it stink, not to absorb as it should or even repel. Natural fibers do tend to stain more, but that's related more to their ability to absorb and retain colors. This is easy to fix with some sun!
Natural fibers absorb faster.
I'm always surprised when I read that microfiber absorbs faster. That is quite the opposite of my experiences. Let me show you. The video below is a comparison of a hemp insert and a microfiber insert. You'll also see the hemp when compared to bamboo, bamboo with zorb and cotton - all of which absorb very quickly.
Based on my experience, and the video, I recommend that if you use both microfiber and natural fiber inserts at night, you should put the natural fiber closest to baby. It will pull moisture in quickly and the microfiber can work as backup!
It's natural and breathable.
Natural fibers allow more air to make it to your baby's bottom. Consider the difference if you were to wear a cotton t-shirt or a polyester t-shirt. Which would keep you coolest? The cotton, of course. The same holds true with baby. Natural fibers offer pleasant conditions in diaper land.
What about volume?!
Like numbers? Let's see how they compare:
I gathered up some inserts and prefolds (for the cotton) and got to playing with my scale and a bowl of water.
Here's what I did:
First I weighed each insert for a dry starting weight. Then I fully wet the insert in a bowl of water. To get a wet weight, I pulled out each insert (one at a time to weigh), held it over the bowl until it came to a slow drip - not squeezing out any water, then placed it on the scale. Below is how they measured up.
| Cotton Insert | Microfiber Insert | Hemp Insert | Bamboo Insert | |
| Dry Weight | 2.4 ounces | 2.5 ounces | 2.5 ounces | 2.5 ounces |
| Wet Weight | 12.9 ounces | 13.3 ounces | 10.75 ounces | 10.6 ounces |
| % of Water Absorbed Based on Dry Weight | 538% | 532% | 430% | 424% |
While the percentages between the cotton/microfiber and hemp/bamboo look like there is a big difference, keep in mind that we're talking about a small bit of fabric. Based on inserts that are the same approx. size and thickness (not same weight), the difference in what they absorb amounts to approximately a tablespoon of liquid.
What's all of this mean?
When using quality materials, they all seem to absorb virtually the same (keep in mind that we're talking about diaper inserts, so the amount of fabric being used is small).
I would buy an insert based on it's other qualities (do you like the shape? thickness? washability? other feature?) If you want to use cotton, stick with a dense fabric (not airy birdseye for example) to get more absorbency in a thinner insert.
7 comments:
I love reading your blog and would like to link you on my Blogroll (www.motherofambition.blogspot.com). Would that be ok? thank you!!
I am so looking forward to getting Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo into the store, on your recommendation. They come fully prepped! customers will love that.
Maggie - Vancouver
www.tootsntots.com
I agree that the natural fiber absorbs faster! I had been putting hemp on top of my microfiber, and then I read that it should go on bottom. The few nights I tried it under the microfiber, my daughter woke up soaked almost to the top of her onesie! I will definitely be going back to hemp on top.
In your video, you show a bamboo with Zorb insert. Is that something you made yourself or did you purchase it? I would love to use bamboo, but I can not seem to find any inserts made out of it. Thanks!
I bought these on Etsy. The seller is no longer active, but I have seen them offered from other sellers. Try searching "bamboo insert" or "bamboo doubler". I have to say that my favorite insert is the hemp one in that video. It's from Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo.
I love to use bamboo fiber it is so soft and super absorbent.
My indian cotton prefolds are my loves because of all the things you listed above. My mf sits in a pile banished because they get stinky too easy. My preemie prefold have been reshaped and sewn into doublers and everything else under the sun. Go Cotton!
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