Fabrics for Reusable Pads (Toppers)

Toppers are what comes in direct contact with your skin, so you want to make sure you choose fabrics that:

a) Wick away fluid into the absorbent core well.

b) Make you feel dry.

c) Feel comfortable to you!

The great thing about reusable pads is that unlike disposable pads, you have so many options to choose from such as the texture, color, pattern, thickness, shape, etc.! Because there are so many different fabrics to choose from, let's go through a list of commonly used ones for toppers.

Natural fibers

• 100% cotton

Cotton is the most common fabric you can get a hold of in the fabric stores. It's one of the easiest to sew with and it comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It's also thin so it lessens the bulk and is cooler during the hotter months.

The cons of using cotton is that it doesn't tend to absorb as quickly as some other fabrics. Additionally, like most natural fibers, if you get a lighter color it'll tend to stain easily if you don't take proper care of it. The best way to avoid staining is to hand wash it right away.

When you use the washing machine, make sure to put it on cold water and hang dry it in the sun to naturally bleach the fibers.

• Cotton knit/cotton jersey

Cotton jersey is a comfortable, stretchy fabric commonly used in leggings. However, the fabric does tend to be more expensive and more difficult to sew with.

• French Terry

French terry is has a stretchy and soft knit feel. It also makes a good topper and absorbent layer.

It's important to be careful because this material has a tendency to shrink more than most other knits.

• Flannel

Like 100% cotton, flannel is a common, generally inexpensive fabric that is found in any fabric store. It has a higher pile compared to other cottons thus making it soft. Because it's a highly absorbent material, you can use it as a topper, a core (with multiple layering), and a backing.

A common complaint with flannel is that it tends to look worn more quickly than other fabrics. If you stick it in the dryer, it can start to lighten and pill.

• Cotton velour & organic bamboo velour

Both organic cotton velour and bamboo velour are plush fabrics while being thin. You'll often see them tie-dyed or in solid colors.

After washing, OCV & OBV may feel a little rough, so you can rub the fabric together to soften it back up. Many people with heavy periods LOVE bamboo velour because of how stay-dry and soft it is.

Cotton velour tends to collect lint easily.

• Organic bamboo/charcoal bamboo fleece

Charcoal bamboo is a fantastic fabric because it's known to be odor and stain resistant. Bamboo is also great because it's a stain resistant natural fiber. It's soft and warm without being too hot. It's hypoallergenic and highly absorbent. You can even use it as a topper and core layer with a water-resistant backing.

Bamboo naturally comes in white, so you can purchase it in that color if you would like. Like other natural fibers though, white can stain easily so it requires higher maintenance when washing.

Bamboo fleece is rarer to find in fabric stores, so you usually have to purchase it online which tends to be more expensive.

Synthetic fibers ("man-made" or poly- fabrics)

• Minky

It comes without saying that minky is the softest topper! It's usually used with baby blankets and like other synthetic materials, it's stain resistant.

While for some people it's their favorite fabric because it's like sitting on a fluffy pillow, others find it too hot. Also, because it can be slow to absorb, it's not recommended that you use a minky pad if you have a gushier flow.

• Athletic wicking jersey

Like the name implies, athletic wicking jersey was originally used in sportswear because of it's ability to pull away fluid and sweat. It makes a great topper because it's thin, breathable, has a smooth texture, and can make you feel dry.

If you want material that comes in a variety of patterns, athletic wicking jersey isn't that fabric. It normally only comes in solid colors.

• Faux Suede

Suede is a low pile fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin well. It's commonly found in homeware with leather-like material. The suede people use is usually faux suede, not real animal leather.

It's harder to find pads made with suede.

• Crushed velvet

Crushed velvet is definitely a beautiful fabric! It comes in a wide range of solid colors that have a shimmery aesthetic. Contrary to what some may think, it's very stain resistant and breathable.

Many people love crushed velvet, but it's not as stay-dry as the other synthetic fibers.

Works Cited

“Buying Cloth Pads – Fabrics.” Reusable Menstrual Products, Wordpress, 24 June 2017, clothpads.wordpress.com/buying/buying-cloth-pads-fabrics/.

PadThai. "Understanding cloth pad materials." YouTube, 03 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otbyhXSPaxE&t=2639s