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DSQ Prefolds
These diapers have been 'pre-folded' and sewn into 3 panels of differing
thicknesses. The number of layers in each panel is referred to as the "ply". The outer two panels usually have anywhere from 2 to 4 layers (ply)
of thickness. The maximum absorbency is found in the center panel, anywhere
from 6 to 8 layers. So if there are 4 layers on the two outer panels and 6
layers down the center, the ply would be 4x6x4.
Regular 2x4x2 or sometimes,
2x6x2 ply Gerber prefolds can usually be found/purchased from your local
supercenter, but they will NOT stand up to rigorous washing/drying and will have less
absorbency. Be warned that some of these store-bought cloth diapers are not
even cotton all the way through--some contain polyester batting in the center
strip.
You will find that cloth diapering is considerably easier if
you purchase quality prefolds from the start, and that is no less than Diaper
Service Quality (DSQ). Store brands often promise "diaper service quality,"
but diaper services themselves do not use them, so why should you? Bottom line,
the price difference is relatively small, but your diapering experience
difference will be enormous. The Chinese Prefolds we sell are of
superior quality, are truly Diaper Service Quality, and are made of the softest,
most absorbent, 100% Chinese cotton. You can purchase them in White or
Natural.
Colors Available: White and Natural
White prefolds - are they better? Not necessarily. They are
easier to prep for use since they need only 2-3 wash and dry cycles to be
completely absorbant where the natural require 4-6 washes before they are fully
absorbant. Our white prefolds are whitened with a gentle peroxide solution that
is more environmentally friendly and much safer to the workers than chlorine
bleach. It is also much more gentle on the cotton fibers allowing your prefolds
to stand up to hundreds if not thousands of washings if properly cared for.
Why choose natural? The bleaching process is quite taxing on our
environment. There is no difference in the performance
of the diaper, only the color. Natural prefolds are a beige, almost khaki brown
color. Unbleached diapers do require a few extra prewashes before their initial
use as there are more oils in the fabric than their bleached or
whitened cousins.
One note about our natural prefolds: The fibers are less
processed so they tend to 'pill' more than bleached. We recommend that when you
first wash your unbleached diapers, you keep the amount of friction on the
diapers to a minimum. How do you do this? First, only do partial loads - DO NOT
fill your machine all the way up! Do about 1/2- 3/4 load but still keep your
settings on a full load so there will be lots of room for the diapers to move
around. Second, if your machine lets you adjust the agitation level, keep it as
gentle as possible. If you follow these easy steps in the initial washes of the
diapers, they should remain relatively pill-free. Don't worry, any pills that do
occur will slough off eventually after a few months of washing.
What is pilling? Pills are the tiny little balls of lint that
erupt on fabric usually from too much friction. It can be a sign of low quality
fabric but in this case, it is due to the excess lint left on the fabric as a
result of less processing.
Standard ply = 4x6x4 Which means there are 4 layers of cotton on
each side and 6 layers down the center. The exception is the preemie or newborn
size which is 2x4x2. Premium ply = 4x8x6 Which means there are 4 layers of cotton
on each side and 8 layers down the center
Allow for 10% shrinkage
after washing/drying. TIP: Infant and Regular size prefolds work great as inserts and doublers for pocket diapers!
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