Microfleece Fabric Properties, Pricing & Sustainability (2023)
What is Microfleece Fabric?
Microfleece fabric is a synthetic wool material crafted from polyester fibers. Renowned for its exceptional softness, this lightweight and highly insulating fabric mimics the warmth of wool but offers a significantly softer, lighter, and more manageable alternative. It is waterproof breathable fabric.
Features and Benefits of Microfleece Fabric
- Superior Softness and Comfort
Stay-Dry microfleece, designed by our diaper maker, offers a premium, dense, and incredibly soft texture. It ensures a luxurious feeling against the skin, providing unparalleled comfort and warmth at an economical price compared to natural fabrics.
- Moisture Wicking Capability
One of the standout features of microfleece is its excellent moisture-wicking properties. The fabric effectively draws moisture away from the skin, keeping it dry and comfortable. This feature makes it an ideal choice for cloth diapers and clothing worn directly against the skin.
- Lightweight and High Insulation
At 200 GSM (grams per square meter), the weight of our microfiber fleece fabric strikes the perfect balance. It boasts remarkable softness and fluffiness, providing warmth comparable to wool while being lighter and easier to wash.
- Water Repellence and Quick-Drying
Microfleece fabric possesses water-repellent qualities, allowing it to dry quickly. It retains only a fraction of its weight in water, maintaining breathability and ensuring a comfortable experience even during moisture exposure.
- Durability and Easy Care
Due to its durability and ease of maintenance, microfleece fabric makes a practical choice for garments that are frequently washed or worn. Its strength contributes to the longevity of the garment, even with regular use.
- Application in Diapers and Garments
This versatile fabric is widely used for lining diapers due to its incredibly soft, dense, and durable surface. Its quick-dry properties and moisture-wicking ability make it an excellent choice for diaper linings, pocket diapers, soakers, and even mama pads or menstrual cloths.
- Sewing Ease and Low Maintenance
Microfleece fabric is known for its ease of sewing, offering clean cuts without unraveling. It washes up beautifully, exhibiting stain resistance while retaining warmth and remaining odor-free even after multiple washes.
- Skin Protection and Longevity
This exceptional liner fabric not only maintains its softness and fluffiness after numerous washes but also protects the baby’s delicate skin, preventing rashes. Its resilience and durability make it a reliable choice for long-term use.
Introduction to Polyester Textiles
Microfleece, microfiber, and microsuede are distinct types of polyester textiles frequently found in cloth diapers and inserts. All three variants offer superb absorbency and excel in efficiently wicking moisture away from the surface.
- Microfleece: Soft and Plush Comfort
Microfleece is recognized for its soft and plush texture, akin to traditional fleece. Unlike microfiber, it is gentle and non-abrasive, suitable for direct contact with your baby’s skin. Often used as a stay-dry lining in cloth diapers, microfleece provides a comfortable and dry feeling.
- Microsuede: Smooth and Silky Sensation
In contrast, microsuede boasts a smooth and silky feel. Similar to microfleece, it’s non-irritating and can be placed directly next to your baby’s skin without causing discomfort. Its sleek texture enhances the overall comfort of cloth diaper inserts.
- Microfiber: Absorbent with Slight Roughness
Microfiber, while highly absorbent, differs in texture. It has a slightly rougher feel compared to microfleece and microsuede. Typically used in diaper inserts requiring additional absorbency, microfiber is commonly paired with pocket diapers or other absorbent layers.
Specific Uses
Microfleece: Often preferred as a stay-dry fabric, microfleece is primarily utilized as a lining in cloth diapers due to its exceptional comfort and moisture-wicking properties. Mainstream cloth diaper brands frequently incorporate all three materials into their diaper designs.
Microfiber: Known for its absorbency, microfiber inserts are usually employed alongside pocket diapers or other supplemental absorbent layers, making them essential for managing heavy wetness.
Microsuede: Offering a luxurious silky feel, microsuede serves as an excellent material for cloth diaper inserts, ensuring comfort without irritation.
Versatility Beyond Diapering
While these micro-textiles are prominently associated with cloth diapering, their utility extends beyond this realm. Each fabric can be utilized in various products, such as sanitary items, towels, cleaning cloths, blankets, robes, and a wide array of clothing options.
Cloth Diapers: Widely used for diaper linings and inserts due to its lightweight nature, quick-drying capabilities, and ability to keep the baby’s skin dry, preventing diaper rash.
Cleaning Cloths: Its softness and absorbency make it suitable for cleaning surfaces and as a washing cloth or mop.
Outerwear: Microfleece is favored for sweatshirts, jackets, and vests due to its breathability, moisture-wicking, and insulating properties.
Bedding and Blankets: Often used for sheets, blankets, and bedding due to their breathable yet warm qualities.
Other Applications: Microfleece is utilized in items like robes, towels, embroidery, and athletic wear due to its versatility.
Exploring Varieties of Fleece Fabric
Fleece fabric, known for its warmth, softness, and versatility, comes in a diverse array of types, each offering unique characteristics tailored to various needs and preferences.
- Cotton or Cotton Blended Fleece
This variant of fleece, commonly found in sweatpants and sweatshirts, features a smooth exterior surface and a plush inner nap. The blend of cotton or cotton with other materials creates a comfortable texture ideal for casual wear.
- Polyester Micro Fleece Fabric
Increasingly popular, polyester fleece shares similarities with cotton fleece but has a distinct shiny appearance on its smooth side. Polyester fleece excels in moisture repellence and is often favored for its durability and ability to maintain a dry feel.
- Lycra Spandex Fleece
Blending cotton with a small percentage of Lycra spandex, this stretchy fabric finds its place in form-fitting women’s or junior’s garments and performance fleece due to its flexibility and comfort.
- Microfleece
Thin and soft, microfleece is a double-sided fabric known for its lightweight nature and superior moisture-wicking abilities. It’s a popular choice for performance-oriented garments, ensuring comfort during activities by efficiently drawing moisture away from the body.
- Polar Fleece
Considerably thicker and warmer than microfleece, polar fleece is often used in colder climates for crafting blankets and jackets. Its insulation properties make it a go-to fabric for winter apparel.
- French Terry Fleece
This type lacks the usual fluffy nap of most fleeces, being unbrushed on both sides. It is thinner and sits flatter compared to other fleeces, offering a sleeker appearance while maintaining warmth.
- Slub Fleece
Slub fleece is characterized by its textured appearance, created by knitting two differently-sized yarns together. This results in a unique fabric with a distinctive look and feel.
- Sherpa Fleece
Sherpa fleece, composed entirely of polyester, boasts a very fluffy texture intended to imitate the appearance of wool fleece. It’s commonly used as a lining in garments for added warmth and a cozy feel.
Additional Properties and Variants
Apart from the variety of fleece types, there are specialized versions with specific properties:
Water-Resistant Fleece: This type is either crafted from a higher concentration of polyester or specially treated cotton, providing enhanced resistance to moisture.
Low-Pill Polyester: Designed to retain its texture over time better, low-pill polyester fleece maintains its appearance by minimizing the formation of small fabric balls.
Characteristics of Microfleece Fabric
Microfleece fabric stands out due to a set of exceptional qualities that make it an optimal choice for various applications, particularly in cloth diapering and diaper inserts.
- Breathability and Moisture-Wicking
Renowned for its breathability, microfleece possesses outstanding moisture-wicking capabilities. This fabric efficiently draws moisture away from the skin, ensuring a dry and comfortable experience even during prolonged wear.
- Incredibly Soft and Gentle
Microfleece material is exceptionally soft to the touch, providing a gentle feel on your baby’s delicate skin. Unlike microfiber, it is suitable for direct contact with the skin, offering a comfortable and irritation-free experience.
- Versatility in Thickness and Weight
While available in various thicknesses and weights, true microfleece must weigh less than 200 grams per square meter. This versatile nature allows for different applications while maintaining its defining characteristics.
- Ideal for Activewear and Children’s Clothing
Due to its softness and flexibility, microfleece fabric is an excellent choice for activewear and children’s clothing. Its flexibility ensures comfort during movement, making it a favored material for garments designed for active use.
- Odor Resistance and Stain Repellence
Microfleece fabric does not retain odors and is resistant to developing sweat stains, contributing to its long-lasting freshness. Regular washing helps maintain its cleanliness and ensures it remains free from unpleasant odors.
- Resistance to Pilling
Unlike natural wool or microfiber, microfleece is not prone to pilling. This quality ensures the fabric maintains its smooth texture and appearance over extended use and washing, preserving its softness and comfort.
- Quick-Drying Nature
Microfleece is known for its quick-drying properties, whether air-dried or put in the dryer. This attribute makes it a convenient fabric choice, reducing drying time and allowing for efficient laundering.
Downsides of Microfleece Fabric
Non-Biodegradability: Despite being a vegan fabric, microfleece made from polyester contains plastics, making it non-biodegradable and not exceptionally eco-friendly.
Pilling and Quality Issues: Lower-quality microfleece may be prone to pilling. Like other fleece materials, microfleece can also suffer from static and is highly flammable.
Cleaning Challenges: Microfleece can be difficult to wash and tends to stain easily. Pre-treating stains and washing the fabric promptly after use are recommended to maintain freshness and appearance.
Specific Care for Cloth Diapers: When using microfleece cloth diapers, employing biodegradable, flushable diaper liners can aid in preventing stains caused by waste.
Common Uses of Microfleece Fabric
Cloth Diapers: Widely used for diaper linings and inserts due to its lightweight nature, quick-drying capabilities, and ability to keep the baby’s skin dry, preventing diaper rash.
Cleaning Cloths: Its softness and absorbency make it suitable for cleaning surfaces and as a washing cloth or mop.
Outerwear: Microfleece is favored for sweatshirts, jackets, and vests due to its breathability, moisture-wicking, and insulating properties.
Bedding and Blankets: Often used for sheets, blankets, and bedding due to their breathable yet warm qualities.
Other Applications: Microfleece is utilized in items like robes, towels, embroidery, and athletic wear due to its versatility.
Microfleece Fabric in Cloth Diapers
Benefits for Diapers: Its lightweight nature and quick-drying properties make it ideal for keeping the baby dry, preventing diaper rash, and being cost-effective for parents.
Diaper Brands Utilizing Microfleece: Various renowned diaper brands, including Gerber, Charlie Banana, and Thirsties, use microfleece in their products due to its thinness, quick-drying ability, and lack of bulkiness when wet.
Cost-Effectiveness: Microfleece is cost-effective for cloth diapering, helping reduce the initial overhead costs for parents. Its durability ensures longevity, enduring multiple washes and cycles.
Where to buy Microfleece Fabric & Pricing
Affordability: Microfleece fabric is reasonably priced, often available online for under $10 per yard and occasionally under $5. It comes in various colors and patterns, catering to different preferences.
Product Pricing: Products made from microfleece, such as pullovers or tops, reflect the low wholesale fabric price. For instance, a Port Authority microfleece pullover may cost around $25, while a lady’s Tek Gear microfleece top might be under $20.
Cost of Microfleece Diapers: Microfleece diapers are notably less expensive than organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp diapers, with sets available for under $20 on platforms like Amazon. However, caution is advised regarding meager prices that might indicate lower quality or a blend of materials.
What is microfleece made of
Materials Used: Microfleece primarily comprises PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers, typically sourced from plastics like water bottles and containers. Initially, this fabric wasn’t eco-friendly, but modern manufacturers now use recycled plastics.
Manufacturing Process: PET, from crude oil or recycled materials, undergoes chemical breakdown to form fibers spun into yarn. After dyeing, the fabric is knitted or woven into tubes, dried, washed, and softened with solvents. Brushing and fluffing create the soft, fluffy nap characteristic of microfleece.
Global Microfleece Manufacturing
Chinese Manufacturing: China, a major textile manufacturer, hosts significant microfleece production facilities like Shaoxing Haoyouduo Textile Co. LTD.
US-Made Products: Consumers can also access microfleece manufactured in the USA. Companies like Seattle Fabrics Inc. offer a range of microfleece fabrics at different prices.
Prominent Manufacturers: Polartec, credited with inventing synthetic fleece in 1981, produces various types of microfleece, including recycled and technical fabrics.
Environmental Impact of Microfleece
Original Production Impact: Traditionally, microfleece production involved petroleum-based materials and chemicals, posing environmental concerns.
Recycled Material Usage: Contemporary microfleece made from recycled PET is considered less harmful.
Microplastics Issue: Regardless of manufacturing methods, microfleece’s plastic composition leads to microplastic shedding during washing, contributing to ocean pollution and impacting aquatic life.
Certifications and Regulations
No Organic Certification: Due to its petroleum-based nature, microfleece isn’t eligible for organic certifications. In the US, children’s microfleece products must comply with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
OEKO-TEX Certification: Microfleece manufacturers seek OEKO-TEX certification to ensure the fabric is free of harmful substances. European products can earn the CE Mark and meet EU standards.
History of Microfleece
Invention and Development: Polartec’s invention of synthetic fleece in 1981 marked the beginning of microfleece history. Initially designed as a vegan and cost-effective alternative to wool, it quickly diversified into various applications beyond cloth diapers.
Influence of Polartec: Polartec’s decision not to patent polar fleece facilitated widespread and affordable production, leading to multiple companies manufacturing microfleece.
Alternatives to Microfleece
Microfiber for Diapers: In cloth diapering, microfiber is a more absorbent alternative to microfleece for liners.
Regular Fleece and Microsuede: Regular fleece can replace microfleece in clothing, albeit heavier, while microsuede offers a soft texture and comparable price yard for yard.
Wool as a Natural Alternative: though more expensive than microfleece, it is biodegradable and suitable for individuals comfortable with animal-based products.
FAQ
Q-1 What is microfleece fabric?
Microfleece is a synthetic polyester fabric that is exceptionally lightweight, breathable, and water-repellent.
Q-2 What is microfleece fabric like?
Microfleece fabric is soft, breathable, and hydrophobic, repelling water and wicking moisture away from the skin.
Q-3 Is microfleece fabric warm?
Microfleece fabric is an excellent choice for those who want to stay warm without feeling weighed down. It’s both lightweight and breathable so you can feel comfortable no matter the temperature.
Q-4 What is the difference between microfleece vs. fleece?
Microfleece is a child of fleece fabric. However, it is lighter and thinner than a traditional fleece.
Q-5 What is the difference between microfleece vs. flannel?
Microfleece is made from polyester, and flannel is made from cotton. Both fabrics have a soft nap.
Q-6 What is the difference between microfleece vs. polar fleece?
The primary difference between polar fleece and microfleece is that polar fleece is thicker and provides more warmth.
What is the difference between microfleece vs. microplush?
Microplush is a fabric comparable to microfleece but with a softer texture, similar to velvet.
Q-7 What is the difference between microfleece vs. cotton?
Microfleece is a type of synthetic fabric made from polyester fibers, while cotton is a natural textile made from the fibers that grow around the seeds of the cotton plant.
Q-8 What is the difference between microfleece vs. velux?
Velux is a brand-name nylon fabric that has a velvet-like texture. Microfleece, on the other hand, is a synthetic fabric made from polyester.
Conclusion on Microfleece Fabric Properties, Pricing & Sustainability
Using microfleece fibers for cloth diapers offer babies and caregivers a comfortable, functional, and eco-friendly diapering solution. Microfleece’s softness, moisture-wicking properties, and stain resistance keep babies dry and comfortable while making maintenance more manageable for caregivers. Its durability ensures a longer lifespan for cloth diapers, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing disposable diaper waste. Overall, microfleece is an excellent choice for those seeking reliable and sustainable diapering solutions for their little ones.
Source :https://anatol.com/
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