Cloth diapers have two main parts – a waterproof outer layer and an absorbent inner layer. The absorbent inner layer, which is either stuffed into a pocket diaper or laid in a waterproof cover, is often referred to as an insert.
An insert typically consists of several layers of absorbent fabric sewn into a rectangular shape. The most common fabrics used to make these inserts include microfiber, cotton, charcoal bamboo, bamboo, and hemp. Apart from premade inserts, cotton, bamboo, and hemp flats and prefolds can also be folded into a pad shape and used as inserts.
Sometimes, more than one insert can be used at one time to increase the overall absorbency of the diaper – and these additional inserts are called boosters or doublers. When layering different materials, inserts that absorb liquids the quickest, such as microfiber or charcoal bamboo, are placed on top (to keep the baby’s skin dry) and bamboo or hemp on the bottom as they can hold the most liquid.
Liners are often confused with inserts. Liners are a thin extra layer that is placed between the insert and the baby’s skin. They do not add on any absorbency and instead protect the insert from rash cream, poop, and/or act as a stay dry layer to keep a baby’s bottom dry.
Microfiber
Most of the commonly available inserts in the market, such as those that come with cloth pocket diapers, are made of microfiber, a synthetic man-made fiber. Microfiber inserts absorb extremely quickly but have very low capacity and are prone to compression leaks (Imagine a sponge filled with water……what happens when you press on it? That is what a compression leak is). These inserts are affordable, are very light and soft in texture, and dry very quickly.
On the downside, microfiber inserts cannot be placed next to your baby’s skin because they absorb wetness so well that they irritate the skin and can cause a rash. Unfortunately, since they are very good at absorbing, microfiber inserts also hold on to stains and smells. Lastly, microfibers inserts do not last long as they shed and lose softness and absorbency very quickly.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural fabric that is affordable, absorbent, and easily available. It absorbs relatively quickly and can hold urine well. However, they are bulky and stain very easily.
Charcoal Bamboo
Charcoal bamboo inserts are made of layers of microfiber and bamboo. The name comes from the charcoal color of the insert and not because it contains charcoal. These absorb very well, can hold more liquid than microfiber alone and are less prone to compression leaks.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a natural fiber that is often mixed with cotton to give the insert a little more shape. These inserts are very thin but are soft and very bendable. Although bamboo inserts absorb large amounts of liquids, they absorb slowly and hence are usually combined with a fast-absorbing insert. Bamboo inserts are more expensive and unlike the others tend to shrink significantly over time.
Hemp
Hemp is a natural fiber that is usually blended with cotton to make it softer and more comfortable. They are the most absorbent insert available but, like bamboo, they absorb very lowly and cannot be used on their own. The main cons of hemp inserts are that they are very expensive, feel stiffer and take a long time to dry.
Some newer insert materials include:
- Minky – a soft plushy absorbent man-made fiber which, unlike microfiber, is less bulky, less likely to stain or accumulate stink, and can be placed next to a baby’s skin.
- Velour- these inserts are very soft like the Minky, but are made from either cotton or a combination of bamboo and cotton.
- Zorb- a newer highly absorbent material made from a mix of natural and manufactured fiber such as bamboo, cotton, viscose, and microfibers.
Note:
All natural fiber inserts need to be “prepped” or washed several times before use to remove the natural oils and waxes that stop the fabric from absorbing liquid.
What works for one parent may not work for you and it can take some time and experimentation to figure out which insert or combination of inserts works best for you.