| Chinese prefold or Indian prefold is a common question | | | | styles will plump up and become softer when washed. |
| I get with my cloth diaper store. While there are | | | | The differences really are subtle though and no matter |
| passionate proponents of each type of cloth diaper, | | | | which you choose you can't go wrong as long as they |
| the best answer is to choose the diaper that makes | | | | are "diaper service quality" or DSQ. This means that |
| sense to you. | | | | they are made to stand up to industrial strength |
| What is a prefold? | | | | washing and they are made to last. |
| These are usually cotton twill or cotton gauze cloth | | | | Do I want bleached or unbleached? |
| diapers that are folded into a thick, absorbent | | | | Bleaching to whiten the fabric is commonly done these |
| rectangle. They are different than the flat squares of | | | | days with peroxide instead of chlorine, which is |
| cloth your grandparents probably used. By folding the | | | | healthier for the environment. Bleaching any fabric |
| cloth and stitching it closed at the ends, the | | | | makes the fibers a little less sturdy, but not so much |
| manufacturer creates a thicker area in the middle for | | | | that most people notice. Some people love of pure |
| maximum absorbency with less bulk on the sides. You | | | | white or dyed colors. Others love the look of natural |
| can find different thicknesses and sizes from premie | | | | cotton color. Really it boils down to a personal |
| to toddler. Some manufacturers make prefolds from | | | | preference. |
| hemp, bamboo, a thick terry called Sherpa, or many | | | | Both styles are great for burp cloths as well, since |
| other fabrics. | | | | they are thick and absorbent. For this purpose, the |
| What is Chinese or Indian about them? | | | | infant size bleached kind is often preferred. You can |
| Chinese style are made in China, these tend to be a bit | | | | find beautiful hand-dyed colored prefolds for use as |
| sturdier and will last a little longer. They are made with | | | | burp cloths or to keep baby's bottom dry. Quality |
| a slightly more durable fabric. Indian style is made in | | | | colored prefolds are made with professional non-toxic |
| India or Pakistan. These are usually softer and a touch | | | | dyes so they don't fade and are safe for baby. Some |
| more absorbent, but will hold up to fewer washings. | | | | people use these for embellishment and add pretty |
| They also "quilt up" more when washed, although both | | | | fabrics, trims and other fun things to dress them up. |