You've probably seen us mention Zorb often in our blogs, projects, emails and deal of the weeks...but you still have no idea what it is about or what it is used for.
And this is where this blog post comes in handy - your go to guide to understanding what Zorb is, what kind of Zorb fabrics are out there (yes, there's more than one kind!) and what Zorb is used for.
What is Zorb?
Zorb is a specialised, high-performance, non-woven absorbent fabric designed to be used as the hidden, inner layer in reusable products. To name a few: cloth diapers, menstrual pads, pet pads, and nursing pads.
Created to be thin, hypoallergenic, chemical free and amazingly absorbent. Designed to absorbe fluids quickly and hold a large quanitity of said liquids, making Zorb a useful, cost effective solution to a wide range of products that require holding power and absorbency.
The absorbency coes from using a unique fiber composition that allows the fabric capture, rapidly distribute and finally hold the fluids to reduce compression leaks.
What can Zorb be used for?
Zorb can be used for a whole range of products, including, but not limited to:
Reusable nappies, reusable period products, pet bedding anf cage liners, nursing pads and bras, mattress covers, yoga towels and mats, mop pads, dog nappies, towels, hair wraps.
Is there one kind of Zorb?
Nope!
We have Zorb Original, Zorb 3D (Dimples and Diamonds), Zorb 4D and Zorb Microfibre Terry.
Each version has its uses and will be more helpful for certain products than other kinds of Zorb.
Take a look below at an overview of each kind of Zorb:
Zorb Original
“Amazingly absorbent, economical and easy to work with.”
Zorb® Original is a super-absorber, designed to reduce cost and improve performance of reusable cloth nappies, nappy inserts and reusable cloth menstrual pads. It absorbs 10x its weight in moisture in half a second – that’s 20x faster than cotton, bamboo or hemp knits.
Zorb Original is a non-woven interlining material which is used between two fabrics as a super absorbent layer. These fabrics should be stitched or serged between 2 fabrics before washing. Do not wash before stitching or serging between 2 fabrics.
All Zorb fabrics are designed with the ability to exponentially increase their absorbency; use multiple layers of Zorb to supercharge your products’ absorbency. 2 layers of Zorb will replace 8 layers of flannel, 6 of french terry and 5 of fleece.
Zorb® 3D Organic Cotton Dimples
This dual layer reversible natural organic fabric containing 100% organic cotton fibres, is extremely quick to super absorb & hold all moisture. The unique three-dimensional engineered dimple pattern provides greater retention, superior hold, faster distribution of moisture and less leaking under compression.
It can be used on its own, not as an interlining so it’s ideal for reducing cost, increasing product performance and supporting the environment.
3D aborbs 10 times its weight in under 2 seconds and soaks up 20 times faster than other material (bamboo, cotton, hemp knits).
It uses the Ready-AbZorb technology, eliminating the prewashing and drying normally needed to activate the super absorbency. It also reduces 60-80% of the shrinkage, so you get more fabric for your money. That said, full absorbency will only be achieved following repeated washes.
Perfect for soakers, changing pads, nappies, blankets, bibs, burp cloths, play mats and many more consumer, medical & incontinence products.
All Zorb fabrics are designed with the ability to exponentially increase their absorbency; use multiple layers of Zorb to supercharge your products’ absorbency. 2 layers will replace 9 layers of flannel, 7 of french terry and 6 of fleece.
Zorb® 3D Organic Cotton Dimple with Antimicrobial Silvadur®
Exactly the same as the above, but infused with with SILVADUR™ antimicrobial silver ions to inhibit bacterial growth, control bad odors and create long lasting freshness without toxic chemicals
SILVADUR® is proven to be safe against the skin. Tests of bamboo, cotton and polyester treated with 10 times the recommended amount of SILVADUR® found no skin irritation or sensitization after multiple exposures.
2 layers will replace 9 layers of flannel, 7 of french terry and 6 of fleece.
Zorb® 3D Bamboo Dimple
The Bamboo Dimple version of 3D is the exact same as the Coonton version, however it is composed of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton, making it softer than than 100% cotton version.
2 layers will replace 8 layers of flannel, 6 of french terry and 5 of fleece.
Zorb® 3D Stay Dry Dimple LITE
Extremely similar to the above versions of 3D Dimple, but it contains thirsty Zorb® 3D fibres between a face and back of super wicking polyester Stay Dry layers and is a bit thinner.
2 layers will replace 6 layers of flannel, 4 of french terry and 3 of fleece.
Zorb® 3D Diamond
Zorb 3D Diamonds has larger diamonds and a thicker weight to hold more liquid than ever before, using a unique, three-dimensional engineered diamond pattern creates greater retention, superior hold, faster distribution of moisture and less leaking under compression.
One side is an absorbent bamboo cotton, the other is polyester. The polyester side quickly wicks moisture into the thirsty Zorb® fibers between the layers.
The fabrics uses Ready-AbZorb technology eliminates pre-washing and drying normally needed to activate the super absorbency. It also reduces 60-80% of the shrinkage, so you get more fabric for your money.
With superior holding capacity, Zorb 3D Diamond can be used on its own, not as an interlining, so it’s ideal for reducing cost, increasing product performance and supporting the environment.
Absorbs 10 times its weight in under 2 seconds and soaks up 20 times faster than other materials (bamboo, cotton, hemp knits).
Perfect for single layer pre-folds, soakers, changing pads, fitted diapers, blankets, bibs, burp cloths, play mats and many more consumer, medical & incontinent products.
A single layer will replace 3 layers of microfiber terry and 6 of French terry. All Zorb fabrics are designed with the ability to exponentially increase their absorbency; use multiple layers of Zorb to supercharge your products’ absorbency.
Zorb® 4D Organic Cotton Dimple Waterproof PUL Soaker
“This product is amazing, absorbs fast and holds an amazing amount of liquid, does not leak out the back with the hidden waterproof layer.”
Zorb® 4D Core PUL is the latest innovation in high-performance fabrics and is engineered with four layers: a face absorbent layer, Zorb® 3D fibres, a polyurethane waterproof film and an anti-skid fabric for a non-skid surface.
Combining super absorbency, waterproofing and leak-protection into one. Thirsty Zorb Organic Cotton Dimple on one side and thin, light ProCool Stay Dry Polyester interlock fabric on the other with a hidden waterproof layer of 2-mil polyurethane film laminated in between.
The Zorb three-dimensional engineered dimple pattern has great retention, superior hold, fast distribution of moisture and less leaking under compression. It absorbs 10 times its weight in under 2 seconds and soaks up 20 times faster than other materials (bamboo, cotton, hemp knits).
Super-wicking ProCool interlock polyester fabric is uniquely engineered from premium hydrophobic fibers for extra protection from leakage.
Perfect when you need a combination of absorbency and leak protection such as cloth pads, mattress protectors, breast pads, nappies, pet bedding etc.
All Zorb fabrics are designed with the ability to exponentially increase their absorbency; pair with Zorb 3D on the dimple side and use multiple layers to supercharge your products’ absorbency.
Zorb® 4D Organic Cotton Dimple Waterproof PUL Soaker with Antimicrobial Silvadur®
The exact same as above but infused with Antimicrobial Silvadur® to inhibit bacterial growth, control bad odors and create long lasting freshness without toxic chemicals
SILVADUR® is proven to be safe against the skin. Tests of bamboo, cotton and polyester treated with 10 times the recommended amount of SILVADUR® found no skin irritation or sensitization after multiple exposures.
V2 Zorb® 4D Stay Dry Dimple Waterproof PUL Soaker
Combining super absorbency, waterproofing and leak-protection into one.
Thirsty Zorb Stay Dry Polyester Dimple LITE on one side, with a hidden waterproof layer of 2-mil polyurethane film between it and thin, light ProCool interlock fabric.
The Zorb three-dimensional engineered dimple pattern has great retention, superior hold, fast distribution of moisture and less leaking under compression. It absorbs 10 times its weight in under 2 seconds and soaks up 20 times faster than other materials.
Super-wicking ProCool interlock polyester fabric is uniquely engineered from premium hydrophobic fibers for extra protection from leakage.
Zorb® Microfibre Terry
Super soft and super absorbent, this heavyweight, double-sided microfibre terry is made of special filaments that are three times finer thank silk.
Absorbs 8 times its weight in under 2 seconds and soaks up 20 times faster than other material (bamboo, cotton, hemp knits).
Perfect for hair towels and yoga mat towels.
Let us know what you decided on in the comments below, or tag us in your social media posts!