Different types of washable nappies, how does it work?

The basic system consists of an absorbent layer, which can be a simple square of fabric that is folded, or a preformed layer that can be closed with Velcro or clips. These nappies are made from different materials: 

• Bamboo viscose is a highly absorbent fibre but it dries rather slowly

• Hemp has the advantages of being natural and absorbing a large quantity of liquid, but it also dries very slowly   

• Cotton is also natural, but is it is less absorbent than the two previous materials   

•  Linen is a good absorbent, and it remains soft a long time 

• Microfiber is good at absorbing and drying, but it is a synthetic fiber  

The second part of the conventional system is the overlay that can also be compounded of several materials: 

• The overlay made of PUL or knit mesh textile coated with a polyurethane membrane is the most traditional one: it is perfectly liquid-tight and is thus very convenient.

• The woollen overlay has to be treated with lanolin for its maintenance, it is not totally leakproof but it has the benefits of "breathing" and regulating the temperature. It is therefore the ideal material to avoid irritating the buttocks of the babies.

Regarding these two parts of the diaper, you can find several brands that offer different systems based on the way they are assembled. 

• The all-in-two nappies are made of two separable parts: we insert the absorbent part in the impermeable part
  

• The snap-in-one nappies have two parts that are attached with snap buttons

• The all-in-one nappies are sewed and thus non-detachable, these are very similar to the disposable diapers

• Some nappies contain a hammock in which you can slide the absorbent insert, others have a pocket

Feel free to read the introductory article about washable diapers. The next article is about the first use of diapers.

Charlène C.