When you’re just starting out in the cloth nappy world, it can be a bit confusing seeing all these different fabrics talked about that you may never have heard of before. “Hemp?” you may say. “Isn’t that a drug? And I thought bamboo was what pandas eat. How can that be comfortable as a nappy?”
Relax. I’ll spell it all out for you.
Absorbent fabrics – bamboo, hemp, cotton, wool
Bamboo is a grass native to China; and yes, pandas eat it. Bamboo fabric is made from the fibres inside the canes. It is very soft – possibly the softest nappy fabric available – and can absorb about three times its own weight. Bamboo suede blackout curtain does have a downside, however, and that is the fact that the process of making bamboo into fabric is patented by a single company in China. It is a bit more expensive than other fabrics. It’s usually blended with another fibre, such as cotton, to make it more durable. Bamboo shoots grow up to three metres a day, and because it’s a grass, they keep growing after they’re cut, so it’s a very sustainable crop.
Hemp is another popular fabric. It is made from the cannabis plant, but a different variety than the one used as a drug. Hemp is durable, versatile, absorbent, and can be grown in any climate. It has natural antibacterial properties, making it a good choice for babies with nappy rash. Hemp has been made into rope, paper, fabric, plastic, plywood, and many other things. For nappies, it’s a great middle-of-the-road fabric when you want something absorbent yet affordable.
Cotton is ubiquitous. It is durable, widely available and inexpensive. However, it requires a lot of water to grow, and for this reason, many environmentally conscious parents choose to use it sparingly. It is not as absorbent as hemp or bamboo but is often used in combination with both.
Wool is a bit different to these other fabrics. You’ll see wool most often as a nappy cover. In addition to being absorbent, wool is water resistant. Many parents find that a bamboo fitted nappy plus a wool cover is their best overnight nappy combination. The wool will help to absorb more liquid while still keeping clothes and bedding dry.
chenille curtain