What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?

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What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« on: July 06, 2008, 09:00:55 PM » by healthnut

I have read all the threads on cloth pads and could not find much information in regards to the types of fabrics. I want to know which fabrics are the best (and healthiest) to use. I have heard of so many different types of fabrics as well as some problems that seem to go along with them.

Is the following information true?

Hemp is more absorbent than terry cloth, but can not handle 'gushes' (slow absorption rates). It is also supposed to be hard to get completely clean because of how absorbent it is, meaning it could harbor disease easier.

Flannel is supposed to be great, especially for against the skin. It just isn't very absorbent. It will work best if it is preshrunk before sewing.

Terry cloth (towel/washcloth) is supposed to be a really good lining as it absorbs better than flannel and comes clean easier than hemp. It tends to stretch and bunch up.

There is also bamboo, velour, microfleece, hemp terry vs. hemp fleece, wool, and PUL or waterproof.

So here are my questions:
Which fabric(s) are the best to use based on your experience or research?
Are certain fabrics harder to get completely clean?
Is the previous question/issue that big of a deal? (Or am I paranoid?)
Which fabrics are uncomfortable in hot weather?
How much better is organic unbleached material than material that isn't?
What about dyed/printed material versus white?
What else have you heard or learned about the different types of fabrics?

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2008, 08:22:09 AM » by smileyface

Ok, I will try to answer some of your questions. I myself have never used cloth pads (you have to not be pregnant at some point. Grin

). I made my sister some 3 or 4 months ago. I made some out of terry, some from hemp, some from microfiber (just make sure you put another material over this so it's not against your skin), and some from flannel. I don't think she noticed a difference in absorbency in any of them, though the ones with hemp and microfiber were trimmer. Some of them I topped with microfleece, and those she liked the best. They don't stain, and absorb the wetness very quickly. Some of them I backed with PUL, I'm not sure if that was needed or not. Last time I asked her about how they worked was right after she had used them for one cycle, maybe she has some more insight now. I will ask her, and if anthing is different, I will post it.
I have also used most of these fabrics in my cloth diapers I made. Hemp is very absorbent, I wouldn't use more than 3 or 4 layers in a pad for the reasons you said. It might be harder to get clean, and to dry completely. It is anti-microbial though. I would also use the hemp terry over the fleece, it's trimmer. Flannel works well, but as you said, isn't super absorbent. It also tends to get stiff over time. I lined the tops of some of my sister's pads with it, mostly to make them look prettier. Cheesy

Terry is ok, but it really tends to get stiff, and then it doesn't seem to absorb as well. At least that's how it was in my diapers. Microfleece works very well as a stay dry liner against the skin. You could possibly super felt some types of wool to make them machine washable, otherwise they probably wouldn't be a good option, since you probably want to wash your pads in hot water. PUL works great. I hadn't used bamboo yet when I made my sister's pads. I've since started using it for my cloth diapers, and I think it may become my favorite fabric so far. The bamboo velour is so soft, I love my diapers made out of that. The bamboo french terry is super trim and soft, and is supposed to be just as absorbent as hemp. I haven't made any diapers just from that yet though, I only bought enough to made some diaper doublers/ inserts. I am definately getting more, though.
Ok, well I hope that helps some. Sorry to ramble, I love sewing and all the different fabrics are so fun to play with. Cheesy

Any more questions, just ask.

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2008, 10:43:11 PM » by healthnut

So does this just come down to personal preference Wink

and there aren't really any other issues surrounding the different types of fabric?

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2008, 02:05:25 AM » by Cheryl

I made some two years ago out of terry towels surrounded with flannel receiving blankets. At first they were so very soft that it was like heaven, but over time, they weren't as soft.

They worked fine for me and I didn't purchase anything special.

There was little leakage with my heavy flow. I made different sizes and thickness. There were times when I felt like I was wearing a diaper, though, because they were so thick. It would be nice to have something super-absorbant, but I was using all cotton fibers.

Something to mention, for the year (to 18 months) prior to making my own pads, I experienced pain in my pubic area during my menstrual cycle. I felt like I was swollen from just giving birth. Very uncomfortable. After switching from regular store-bough pads to my home-made ones, all the pain went away. It was such a relief. I figure that I was having some sort of reaction to the chemicals in the pads.

Because of this, I'd stick to all-natural materials. The more pure, the better.

One more thing, I cut some liners that would be at the bottom of the pads from waterproof lap pads that I had from baby showers. I made a few, but rarely used them. I think I didn't really like how I felt "damp." Not enough air circulation. And reading about PUL's lately is scary. I don't think I'll use them anymore when I'm not pregnant but regular again.

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2008, 07:12:30 AM » by lovingmomof2

Where would one purchase Bamboo velour and bamboo french terry? I have only heard of these on here.

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2008, 08:19:48 AM » by smileyface

A lot of online diaper fabric supply stores have them. I get mine from yahoo co-op groups. It's much cheaper that way, although there is usually a wait. Because you are buying as a group, and the group has to have a certain amount before they can order, then the fabric gets sent to one person, who has to cut it all up and then send it out to everyone. Sometimes it takes a couple months. A lot of the co-op people have a few yards on hand that they might sell you for a little bit more, if you need it right away.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BuyTheYard-N-More/ is a really great group for getting the bamboo fabrics, and so is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClothEssentials/ although she doesn't order the bamboo quite as often.
Hope that helps.

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Visit http://hyenacart.com/SunnyDayBabies/ where I sell cloth diapers and more!
WTM members recieve 10% off with the code WTM0409!

Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2008, 03:46:23 PM » by beppyjo

Not sure if this is the right place for this but could we do a poll? What type of material is your favorite and maybe one for how many each person owns/uses? I have no idea how/where one would do that but it would be very helpful for me to see at a glance rather than try to read through a thread. People could still put comments if they wanted below the poll but it would be more compact and easier to sort through?

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2008, 11:48:16 AM » by beppyjo

Bump!

Anybody else want a poll? Please tell me I am not the only lazy one who doesn't want to read through pages and pages to get an idea of what is most liked! Embarrassed

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2008, 01:48:51 PM » by healthybratt

Somebody post a list of the ones that someone is familiar with. I only know of flannel and I use terry/old towels inside. Then someone (or me) can start a poll based on that list. Grin

After the poll is created, I can merge this thread with the poll so you'll have the option of reading or glancing. Wink

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2008, 04:35:35 PM » by mykidsmom

I don't want to start a poll but will throw in that hemp is the most absorable fabric there is and becomes more absorbable with each washing. My cloth pads are made of organic hemp with a liner (not sure what kind). You can find what mine are made of at http://www.mom-and-me-creations.com/ClothMom.html . Somewhere on this page she describes how she makes hers. I've had mine for a year or more and they are definately more absorbant with time.

patti

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2009, 07:14:51 PM » by amy3js

Ok, I would like to see a poll, so I am willing to make a list here of different fabrics and a poll about usage of cloth. But people should add other fabrics cause I know I won't know enough to list all the possibilities. I took some of these fabrics from smileyface's post and I don't know much about some of those "fancier" Wink

fabrics, so correct any mistakes as you see them. So...list of fabrics:

Flannel
Terry
Bamboo
Hemp
Fleece
microfiber
microfleece
PUL
wool

Usage of cloth pads:

I do not use them Tongue

I own less than 5 and use them along with some other sanitary product(s)
I own less than 5 and use them exclusively
I own less than 10 and use them along with other sanitary product(s)
I own less than 10 and use them exclusively
I own less than 20 and use them along with other sanitary products
I own less than 20 and use them exclusively
I own more than 20 and use them along with other sanitary products
I own more than 20 and use them exclusively

Where you got your pads:

I bought all my cloth pads
I made all my cloth pads
I bought some and made some

Is this what ya'll meant? Feel free to change it up. Wink

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2009, 10:47:52 PM » by ladyhen

Quote from: amy3js on July 05, 2009, 07:14:51 PM

fabrics, so correct any mistakes as you see them. So...list of fabrics:

Flannel
Terry
Bamboo
Hemp
Fleece
microfiber
microfleece
PUL
wool

Is this what ya'll meant? Feel free to change it up. Wink

Might want to specify if you mean COTTON flannel or terrycloth. Both of these types of fabric can be made of either cotton, a blend of cotton and synthetic, or all synthetic.

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Re: What type of fabric is best to use for cloth pads?
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2009, 10:56:23 PM » by amy3js

Quote from: ladyhen on July 05, 2009, 10:47:52 PM

Quote from: amy3js on July 05, 2009, 07:14:51 PM

fabrics, so correct any mistakes as you see them. So...list of fabrics:

Flannel
Terry
Bamboo
Hemp
Fleece
microfiber
microfleece
PUL
wool

Is this what ya'll meant? Feel free to change it up. Wink

Might want to specify if you mean COTTON flannel or terrycloth. Both of these types of fabric can be made of either cotton, a blend of cotton and synthetic, or all synthetic.

Ya, I had considered that. Fleece too. Maybe we should just write cotton, poly, etc? or? I guess we could list every possibility with each fabric?

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