Old towels as soakers?

[flower01]

Does anybody do this? How about for an internal soaker? Does it take forever to dry? I was thinking of using the towels as the soaker topped with velour or minky.

[thixle]

I've done it. It depends on thickness of towel-- super thin worn out towels you can get by with 4-6 layers, thicker towel no more than 3-4.

[MissE]

Yes it takes longer to dry and I can't wait for summer to come around so I can dry the diapers outside. I use old towels though as internal soakers.

[Dahlea]

I tried this but I prefer microfiber towels instead. They absorb much, are less bulky and dry faster.

[Mama Shifra]

I would not use towels as soakers; rather I would use them as diapers. British nappies were made of towel material. In fact, The Heart has its Own Reasons by Mary Ann Cahill (a founder of La Leche League) suggests using old towels as diapers and old wool sweaters as soakers.

[thixle]

Originally Posted by Mama Shifra

old towels as diapers and old wool sweaters as soakers.

terminology difference. She's asking about absorbant layer in the diaper body (soaker), not outer protective layer (soaker, cover)

I was so confused when I started out because the word "soaker" can mean two completely different things! :

[love2bmom]

I've used old towels too. I always make one "test" diaper before diving in a making a whole bunch. This way you can find out if you want to make changes before sewing up a whole bunch.
Happy sewing

[fancyoats]

i have used old towels cut crosswise into strips 4ish inches wide as the absorbent inners of fitteds. they work great! i used one strip, folded to be 2 layers thick, and flannel for the inner/outer layers. totaling four layers. not too bulky.

[wobblykate]

This is what i've been doing, so i hope it works. Baby's not here yet to test it out. Two layers of thick toweling for the soaker and two layers of flannel or jersey (whole diaper size) on the inner...also a cotton outer layer w/cute print. They seem pretty trim, but the towel is absorbent. Make sure to strip the old towel before sewing it in. I use dawn. GL!

[mcgomery]

I love using old towels as soakers. For my own home use I don't see why not. I also use old sweatshirts and things like that that are just laying around anyway.

The whole point is to save money and not fill up the landfills so why not use what you have? right?

[MommaGirls]

This is a great idea.

[MittensKittens]

I use two layers of towels for soakers. Takes a while to dry but it does work.