Soaker materials?

[cshort4]

I am currently working on my first AIO and I am so confused about what to put inside it for absorbency! Could you tell me what you use and how many layers of it? Thanks so much!

[Jasmine123]

I use either 2 or 3 layers of microfiber and a layer or 2 of flannel.

But more useful is this list that I saved, that someone else had posted here:
Here's a fabric absorbancy cheat sheet I made -

Layers for soaker pads

Birdseye - 6-8 layers

Diaper flannel - 6-8 layers

Burley knit terry - 3 layers

Nantucket fleece - 3 layers

Stretch knit terry - 4 layers

Sherpa knit terry - 3-4 layers

Hemp Terry/French Terry/Fleece - 3-4 layers

Hemp Jersey/Stretch Terry - 5-6 layers

Towel Terry/Terry Toweling - 3-4 layers depending on thickness

Microterry/fiber - I'm guessing 3 layers (that's what Cotton Babies use and they have yet to fail me!)

[cshort4]

Thanks! That is a huge help. Where do you get your microfiber? Is it just the microfiber towels you get in the Walmart auto dept? I've heard so much about them, but have yet to try it.

[Jasmine123]

They are alot like the automotive towels. I ordered mine online from a cleaning supply store. They were only 86 cents each this way.
Heres a link: http://www.eriecotton.com/

[Rie]

mf towels

I've used both MF towels from Sams Club (25 16x16 blue for $11) and also yellow ones (also 16x16) from Costco. Both work about the same. The blue are a little softer but the yellow are slightly thicker. I use one towel per diaper. Either folding it in to 4ths or making a contour shape with 3 layers (I think I like that better).

MF towels do differ in absorbancy so choose carefully. I had a friend make a dozen AIO using faulty towels. That'd be a bummer!!

[cshort4]

In order to make the contour shape, I'm assuming you cut the towels? I read somewhere that this wasn't a good idea as the fibers are so small they get into the air and are dangerous to breathe in. Is this true? This is what I'd like to do, but I don't want to hurt anyone in the process! What are the towels available at Target and Walmart like? Are they good to use?

[BirthFree]

I think I've also heard they stop absorbing as well after a while (the microfiber towels) but maybe I'm wrong?

If you cut the towels just wear a face mask thingy when you do it... the fibers are pretty whispy - but I think as long as it's not a lot of exposure you'd be ok. Still... a dust mask is a good idea.
~Julie

[amysuen]

I have some microfiber from Wal-Mart I bought as an experiment, and I don't like them much. They don't seem to hold as well as my hemp - the outside of the diaper is soaked with microfiber, and just damp with hemp. Maybe getting better microfiber online makes a difference, but I'm going to stick to hemp.

[carp10192]

Question on the microfiber

I was thinking about doing microfiber/hemp soaker inserts. If I do that, would I be safe in doing 2 layer hemp and 1 layer microfiber? I am thinking that the microfiber would distribute the wetness throughout the hemp.

Just wondering if that was enough layers.

Good to know about the face mask...I will want to get one...

[Rie]

I do cut them and there is quite a bit of fuz, but I didn't find it bothersome. I just cut it out at the counter as I stand, I didn't have my face close to it while I was cutting as you sometime do to assure a careful cut. I can see how the fuz could bother some.

What I've read about the mf towels is that they "will last for years". If they just get me through the next 2 kids I'll be happy.

Where do you find the hemp fabrics? I have heard some hemp gets hard and smelly? I am interested in trying some but that makes me nervous to use it.

[carp10192]

Hi

I just got a yard from a coop sale. I figured that would give me enough to try it...as I haven't made cloth diapers before....

I know that the hemp is really absorbant but does not distribute the wetness....so I figured if I put a layer of microfiber on top that would distribute the wetness throughout the hemp. I dont know about the stiff/stinky part, but a lot of people that I have seen in the forums use it.

[khkelsey]

You can get hemp at diapershop.com

I'd be interested to hear what the consensus is on hemp too, since I've heard good and bad things about it. I use microfiber now, but it would be nice to use something more natural if it works.

[Mamma2Addison]

It must be fate. I was getting ready to post a question about how much sherpa for a soaker and found this thread, complete with cheat sheet {that I'm saving for future reference}.

Although now I'm thinking I may head to Costco and try out these microfiber towels...