Using cloth liners in your cloth incontinence products – or in those of someone you care for – can be a game changer, especially if rash is an issue. Cloth liners create a barrier between the skin and the wet surface of the incontinence item, allowing the skin to remain dry. 

But alas, the adult cloth incontinence world, while offering many more options today for those suffering from incontinence, still lags behind the innovations and options of the baby and toddler world. Honestly, I still can’t wrap my mind around how many companies make baby cloth diapers!

The good news is, liners are super easy to make and don’t require sewing!

What size should you make an adult cloth liner?

The size of liner that you need depends on the size of the adult or big kid cloth incontinence item you use. Over the years, based on the feedback I’ve received regarding the optimal rise of a product, I’ve found that liners work well in the following ranges for adult sizes.

XS: 18”-20”

S: 20”-22”

M: 22”-24”

L: 24”-26”

XL: 26”-28”

Since items vary widely in their crotch widths, I have not included width in the above measurements. Only height.

Finding your own measurements

Taking measurements from whatever cloth product you have is super easy. Just keep in mind that the liner has to be long enough to protect the area of skin or diaper needed and not too long that it becomes gangly and hard to manage.

Step 1: Measure your item from top to bottom. If it’s a pull on, turn the items inside out and measure, leaving a few inches from top and bottom.

Step 2: Measure width at narrowest point. It’s important that you don’t have any of the liner poking out as this can cause wicking. Again, make the insert slightly smaller than the width at the narrowest point. 

Step 3: Cut out 

Microfleece

I have bought microfleece from Joann, Wazoodle, and Nature’s Fabrics. They are all very different and all work just fine. 

Nature’s Fabric’s 180 gsm microfleece is the thinnest option and the one they recommend for diaper liners. I love it for making tab extenders as it doesn’t add extra bulk to seams, but have found that it tends to lie limply when used alone. Nature’s Fabrics also has a heavier, 250 gsm microfleece option. All of their fleece is double sided.

Wazoodle’s microfleece weighs in at 240 gsm and has one side plush and the other side smooth knit. It’s definitely more sturdy than Nature’s Fabrics 180 gsm microfleece.

Finally, if you’re someone who prefers to go into a store and touch the fabric before you buy, I have used microfleece from Joann Fabric and Craft. It’s actually under their athleisure section and has 10% spandex content rather than being 100% polyester. Thinner than Wazoodle’s microfleece, it still has some weight to it.

Wool

While I haven’t personally had experience with wool, it is full of AMAZING benefits. If you can get past the sticker shock… Green Mountain Diapers has an excellent explanation of how to use wool liners and how they work. 

When baby #3 comes in a few months, he’s going to be my guinea pig into the world or wool for cloth diapering, lol! 

Anyway, wool interlock is the most common wool fabric type that is used in cloth diapering as it is feltable.

Other fabrics

As I state above, athletic mesh and suede cloth are two other stay dry fabric options, though they don’t have the structure that microfleece does. I’ve seen liners that are microfleece on one side and athletic wicking mesh on the other. This would require sewing and I’m not sure what the advantages are…

If you just want something for solid disposal, you could use flannel, though it would stay wet against the skin and could exacerbate rash.

How to Make No Sew Adult Cloth Liners

If you just want a liner, you can simply do the measurements as discussed above and cut out your liner from your preferred fabric choice. It’s now ready to use, no sewing needed! Wicking fabrics are knit type fabrics and do not fray and thus do not require finishing. 

How to Sew Adult Cloth Diaper Liners

If you decide to finish the edge of your liner, I’ve found that serging is the best way as it offers a clean finish without stretching out the fabric. If you do not have a serger, leave the edges unfinished.

You could use a zigzag stitch or fold the edge under and hem it, but both of these options run the risk of stretching out your insert and leaving it all wavy.

Making your own liners for adult and big kid cloth diapers and incontinence wear is super easy to do and doesn’t require sewing skills. They work great at helping to prevent rash and protect your cloth items so they last longer.