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How to choose cloth diapers: cotton, hemp, wool or Lyocell?

Posted by

Nulu

3. Oct 2026

On 3. Oct 2026

When I started with cloth diapers, the sheer number of materials confused me. Shops are full of words like cotton, hemp, wool and Lyocell. They all sound good, but nobody explains the real difference. If you are choosing cloth diapers right now, I hope this post brings some clarity.

Choosing a material is not just a matter of taste. It affects how well the diaper absorbs and how quickly it dries. It also affects the price and how often you need to change it. Let’s look at each material separately.

Cotton

Cotton is the classic cloth diaper material, and for good reason. It is soft, breathable, familiar and affordable. Its absorbency is moderate and enough for most daytime use. It also dries quickly, which makes it easy to keep in everyday rotation. If you choose organic cotton with GOTS certification, it is the gentlest option for your baby’s skin and the environment. I recommend cotton mainly for daytime, when you change diapers more often.

Hemp

Hemp surprises many people. It is up to 50% more absorbent than cotton, so it holds much more moisture with the same amount of fabric. Hemp fibre is also more durable and naturally antibacterial. That means fewer odour problems between washes. Growing hemp takes less water and fewer pesticides than cotton, so it is kinder to the environment too. The only downside is that hemp dries more slowly. It is also a little stiff at first, but it becomes noticeably softer after a few washes. If your baby needs extra absorbency, for example at night or on long car journeys, hemp is a great choice.

Wool

Wool is a category of its own. It usually isn’t the absorbent part of the diaper, but the cover that goes over it. Wool’s superpower is regulating temperature and binding moisture without your baby feeling wet. It can absorb up to a third of its own weight in moisture while keeping the skin dry. Thanks to lanolin, wool is also naturally antibacterial and breathable. Wool needs a little special care: hand washing and occasional lanolising. In return, you get a cover that lasts all night. I recommend a wool cover especially for nights, or with an absorbent insert for long stretches.

Lyocell (Tencel)

Lyocell is the least known of these four, but in my opinion one of the most interesting. It is made from wood fibre in a closed-loop process. Its production uses far fewer chemicals and much less water than regular viscose or cotton. Lyocell is very soft, absorbent, breathable and biodegradable. That is exactly why I use it in Nulu’s triple-layer Lyocell prefold diaper. I believe it is a material we will hear a lot more about in the future.

Which cloth diapers work when?

For daytime, when you change diapers more often, cotton and Lyocell knit inserts both work well. For nights or longer stretches, choose a cotton or Lyocell diaper with an extra hemp booster. That way it holds moisture longer and better. Many families combine materials: cotton or hemp as the absorbent layer and wool as the cover. This gives you the best of both worlds.

If finding the right material still feels complicated, don’t hesitate to write to me. I’m happy to help you choose the best cloth diapers for your little one. 🌿