Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Natural-Fiber Absorbent Fabric

What Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Is and Why It Matters

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple is an engineered super-absorbent fabric family featuring three-dimensional dimple knit construction with bamboo viscose and organic cotton on both face and back surfaces. Between these natural-fiber layers sits a Zorb 3D absorbent fiber core using Hydro-Dual Fiber Technology (rapid liquid capture and three-dimensional distribution) to absorb up to 10 times its weight in under 2 seconds — 20× faster than conventional bamboo, cotton, or hemp knits.

The natural fiber surfaces define what makes this family distinct: bamboo viscose delivers exceptional softness for direct skin contact — consistently described by customers as softer than expected for an absorbent technical fabric — while the dimple texture creates raised peaks that stay relatively dry and valleys that capture and distribute moisture. All variants can be used standalone or as interlining without enclosing between fabric layers before washing. The fabric is Ready-AbZORB processed (full absorption from first use without conditioning washes), CPSIA certified, and manufactured Forever Chemicals-Free (no PFAS, BPA, phthalates). Made in USA by AKAS Tex.

With 8 variants across three weight tiers (LITE, Standard, Heavy Duty) and three treatment types (Standard, Silver, FoodSAFE), this family bridges the gap between natural-fiber comfort and engineered absorption performance.

For how these technologies work, see Zorb 3D Fiber Matrix: How Zorb's Dimple Absorption Technology Works, Zorb Hydro-Dual Fiber: How Zorb's Original Absorption Technology Works, and Ready-AbZORB: How Industrial Pre-Washing Technology Works.

The Complete Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Lineup: LITE, Standard, and Heavy Duty Weight Tiers

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple shares the same core construction across all 8 variants — bamboo viscose and organic cotton surfaces sandwiching Zorb 3D absorbent fibers. Variants differ by weight tier and treatment type. Note that the bamboo-to-cotton blend ratio varies between variants — check the Specifications table for exact fiber content per SKU.

LITE — 340 GSM / 0.050" Thickness (3 Variants)

W-688 — Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple LITE: The thinnest bamboo dimple option. 60% bamboo viscose, 40% organic cotton. 2 layers = 6 layers flannel. 20% crosswise stretch provides flexibility for fitted products. Customer-validated for menstrual pads and diaper inserts, though two layers insufficient for heavy incontinence.
W-233 — Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple LITE Silver: LITE weight with Silver Plus antimicrobial (99.9% bacterial inhibition through 50+ wash cycles). 70% bamboo viscose, 30% organic cotton. Versatile across all cloth diaper components — prefolds, flats, inserts, and boosters.
W-477 — Zorb FoodSAFE 3D Bamboo Dimple LITE: LITE weight with FDA food-contact certification. The lightest food-safe bamboo dimple option.

Standard — 475 GSM / 0.075" Thickness (3 Variants)

W-234 — Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple: The baseline natural-fiber absorbent. 70% bamboo viscose, 30% organic cotton. 2 layers = 8 layers flannel. Balanced capacity and profile for the widest range of applications. Enables thinner diaper construction while maintaining or improving absorbency over multi-layer conventional systems.
W-232 — Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Silver: Standard weight with Silver Plus antimicrobial for odor control during extended wear. 70% bamboo viscose, 30% organic cotton. Customer reports note fabric appears thicker and softer than product images suggest.
W-478 — Zorb FoodSAFE 3D Bamboo Dimple: Standard weight with FDA food-contact certification. Natural bamboo surface with food-safe compliance.

Heavy Duty — 625 GSM / 0.100" Thickness (2 Variants)

W-497 — Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Heavy Duty: Ultra-heavyweight maximum capacity. 60% bamboo viscose, 40% organic cotton. 2 layers = 12 layers flannel. Validated for heavy wetters, postpartum pads, and guinea pig cage liners requiring fast wicking action.
W-496 — Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Heavy Duty Silver: Heavy Duty weight with Silver Plus antimicrobial (99.5% bacterial inhibition through 50+ wash cycles). 60% bamboo viscose, 40% organic cotton. Customer-validated for incontinence bed pads — stays in place overnight without bunching, with Silver Plus eliminating odor completely.

Key Concept — Three Dimple Families: Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple uses bamboo viscose and organic cotton surfaces — natural fiber softness with direct absorption at the surface. Zorb 3D Stay Dry Dimple uses hydrophobic polyester surfaces that actively wick moisture away — skin feels dry during extended wear. Zorb 3D Organic Cotton Dimple uses 100% organic cotton surfaces — purest natural fiber option, standalone use, softer moisture feel. Choose Bamboo when natural-fiber softness with fast absorption matters most. Choose Stay Dry when surface dryness during extended wear is the priority. Choose Organic Cotton when 100% cotton purity is required.

All fabric specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.

Choosing Your Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple: Weight Tier and Treatment Guide

Your selection involves two decisions: which weight tier matches your capacity and profile requirements, and which treatment adds the functionality your project needs.

Choosing Your Weight Tier

LITE (340 GSM) — Thin profile, versatile layering: Best for stacking multiple layers, combining with other Zorb types, or building products where minimal bulk matters — period underwear, panty liners, diaper boosters, burp cloths. Two layers insufficient for heavy incontinence — use Standard or Heavy Duty for high-volume applications.
Standard (475 GSM) — Balanced capacity and profile: The most versatile choice for standalone pad construction — cloth diaper inserts, menstrual pads, nursing pads, incontinence products. Enables thinner diaper construction compared to multi-layer flannel or terry systems.
Heavy Duty (625 GSM) — Maximum capacity: For heavy wetters, overnight protection, severe incontinence bed pads, and postpartum care. Stays in place overnight without bunching. Requires heavy-duty or jeans needles (90/14 or 100/16) for sewing.

Choosing Your Treatment

Standard — Natural bamboo baseline: Full absorption performance at the best value. The bamboo viscose content provides inherent softness and breathability without additional treatments. Choose when antimicrobial protection or food certification isn't required.
Silver — Antimicrobial odor control: Silver Plus treatment inhibits bacterial, fungal, and algae growth through 50+ wash cycles. Choose for extended-wear applications (overnight diapers, incontinence, medical pads), environments where biological odor is the primary concern (pet cage liners, gym accessories), or wildlife rehabilitation where antimicrobial hygiene matters. No bleach on Silver variants.
FoodSAFE — FDA food-contact certified: FDA-compliant for direct food contact and repeated-use food storage. Choose for baby bibs with oral contact, reusable food storage, and breast milk storage where natural bamboo surface with food-safety certification is required.

No bleach on any Bamboo Dimple variant: Bleach degrades bamboo viscose and organic cotton fibers across all variants, and additionally destroys Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment on Silver variants. Use oxygen-based stain removal alternatives only.

For a detailed comparison of Bamboo Dimple against other Zorb families, see Article 26 — Zorb Families Compared: Original vs 3D vs 4D vs Microfiber.
For Standard vs Silver across all Wazoodle fabrics, see Article 40 — Standard vs Silver: When Antimicrobial Treatment Matters.

Working With Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple: Sewing and Construction Guide

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple is consistently described as easy to work with. The bamboo viscose surfaces handle smoothly through sewing machines, and the fabric accepts hand-dyeing well — maintaining good texture and volume after the dyeing process.

Cutting and Layout

Stretch management: LITE variants stretch 20% crosswise during sewing. Sew all layers together first, then trim to size rather than pre-cutting to exact dimensions — this prevents distortion from stretch during construction.
Edge behavior: Dimple texture is stable at edges with minimal fraying. Serge or finish edges for clean construction in high-stress applications.
Visual identification: Bamboo Dimple appears visually similar to Zorb II — measure thickness to differentiate if you have both in your workspace.

Sewing Recommendations

Presser foot: Walking foot required across all weight tiers — the dimple texture feeds faster than the flat backing without dual feed.
Needles: 90/14 stretch needle for Standard weight. Ballpoint or stretch 90/14 for LITE. Heavy-duty or jeans needles (90/14 or 100/16) for Heavy Duty — the 625 GSM density requires reinforced needle construction.
Stitch length: Use 3.5 stitch length to prevent puckering in the dimple texture.
Quilting compatible: Accepts embroidery floss quilting stitches through cotton batting layers — customer-validated for quilted pet beds that withstand gentle machine washing.

Shrinkage planning: Expect 5-6% shrinkage in both width and length across all variants — significantly more than the 2%/5% shrinkage of polyester Stay Dry Dimple. Ready-AbZORB processing reduces this by 60-80% compared to conventional bamboo/cotton, but pre-wash a test piece before cutting a full production run. Customers report the shrinkage catching experienced sewers by surprise.

Pairing Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple can function standalone or as part of a multi-layer system. The natural fiber surfaces absorb directly on contact rather than wicking moisture away — pair with a stay-dry topper if surface dryness is critical.

What Goes Above (Skin-Contact Side)

No topper needed (standalone use): The bamboo viscose surface is soft enough for direct skin contact — the primary reason makers choose Bamboo Dimple over Stay Dry Dimple. Dimple peaks stay relatively dry while valleys capture liquid.
ProTEC Microfleece (W-262): Adds a hydrophobic stay-dry layer when you want natural bamboo absorption with polyester surface dryness — combines the benefits of both dimple families.
ProCool Dri-QWick Jersey Mesh (W-434): Smooth athletic-wicking surface for menstrual products where flat jersey feel is preferred over dimple or fleece texture.

What Goes Below (Barrier Side)

No barrier needed (insert use): For inserts placed inside waterproof diaper covers, Bamboo Dimple works standalone.
ProSoft 1 mil ECO-PUL (W-375): Standard waterproof backing for period pads, all-in-one diapers, incontinence products, and bed pads.
ProSoft Stretch-FIT ECO-PUL (W-554): For body-conforming products requiring 4-way stretch recovery.

Proven Layer Stack Configurations

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple LITE (W-688 or W-233) sandwiching Zorb Original: LITE layers on outside for soft bamboo contact, Zorb Original core for maximum absorption — customer-validated diaper insert construction.
Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Heavy Duty Silver (W-496) → Waterproof mattress cover: Customer-documented bed pad system for incontinence — Zorb layer positioned between waterproof cover and top sheet, stays flat overnight without bunching.
Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Silver (W-232) → ProSoft 1 mil ECO-PUL (W-375): Core-and-backing menstrual pad with antimicrobial odor control and waterproof containment.

Your results may vary based on product design, construction method, and end-use requirements. For complete layer guidance, see the Application Discovery articles for Cloth Diapers, Diaper Inserts & Boosters, Reusable Menstrual Pads, and Incontinence Pads.

Common Applications for Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple: Diapers, Menstrual Products, Incontinence, and More

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple serves applications where natural-fiber softness against skin matters as much as absorption performance. The bamboo viscose surface provides inherent comfort that polyester stay-dry construction cannot match — making this family the preferred choice for sensitive skin applications.

Cloth Diaper Inserts and Cores — The primary use case across all weight tiers. Enables thinner diaper construction while maintaining or improving absorbency over multi-layer conventional systems. Commercial diaper manufacturers report positive customer feedback. Heavy Duty for heavy wetters; LITE Silver for versatile use across prefolds, flats, inserts, and boosters.
Reusable Menstrual Products — Strong adoption across multiple formats: cloth menstrual pads, period underwear, panty liners, and postpartum pads. LITE for period underwear gussets; Standard and Heavy Duty for standalone pads. Significant volume for humanitarian pad programs.
Incontinence Products — Heavy Duty variants for adult incontinence pads, bed protectors, and absorbent underwear. Customer-documented use for teen ulcerative colitis management — creating reliable daytime protection. Heavy Duty Silver bed pads eliminate odor while staying flat overnight without bunching.
Pet and Wildlife Care — Guinea pig cage liners with fast wicking, pet training pads, quilted pet bed linings (withstand gentle machine washing), and wildlife rehabilitation cage liners for raccoons and possums.
Baby Products — Nursing pads, burp cloths, bibs, drool management items. FoodSAFE variants for products contacting a baby's mouth.
Personal Care and Household — Hair towels, gym face towels, absorbent scrunchies, hygiene kit components, unpaper towels, kitchen cloths, and reusable handkerchiefs. The fabric accepts hand-dyeing well for branded or personalized products.

For complete build guidance, see the Application Discovery articles for Cloth Diapers, Diaper Inserts & Boosters, Reusable Menstrual Pads, and Incontinence Pads.

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Certifications: CPSIA, Organic Content, Chemical-Free, and Made in USA

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple (all variants) is certified safe for children's products and verified free of harmful chemicals. The bamboo viscose and organic cotton content carries additional bio-based and biodegradable classifications. FoodSAFE variants additionally carry FDA food-contact certification.

Safety Certifications

CPSIA Certified: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, sections 101 and 108, 16 CFR Part 1303 — the mandatory U.S. federal standard for children's products
FDA Food-Contact Certified (W-477, W-478 only): FDA-compliant for direct food contact and repeated-use food storage
US Cotton Trust Protocol: Organic cotton content verified through the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol for responsible production
California Proposition 65 Compliant: Meets California's safe harbor levels for listed chemicals
EU REACH SVHC Compliant: Verified against the European Substances of Very High Concern list
EU RoHS 10 Compliant: Meets European restrictions on hazardous substances
UPF 50+: Blocks 98% of UV radiation for sun-protection applications
Made in USA: Manufactured by AKAS Tex in EPA-compliant facilities under fair labor standards

Chemical-Free Verifications

Forever Chemicals-Free: Manufactured without PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, or PTFE — no per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances
Phthalate-Free: Verified free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DnOP
BPA-Free: No bisphenol A in any fabric or finishing treatment
Lead-Free and Heavy Metals-Free: No lead, cadmium, dioxins, or formaldehyde
SAP-Free: Absorption achieved entirely through engineered fiber structure — no super absorbent polymers
Nanoparticle-Free (Silver variants): Silver Plus antimicrobial uses silver ion compounds, not engineered nanoparticles
Bio-Based and Biodegradable: Bamboo viscose and organic cotton face/back surfaces are plant-derived and biodegradable

Fabric vs. Finished Product: CPSIA certification of the fabric component does not automatically certify your finished product. Depending on how your product is constructed, independent CPSIA testing of the finished item may also be required.

For what CPSIA certification requires, see CPSIA Certified: What CPSIA Certification Means for Children's Products.
For what FDA food-contact compliance means, see Food Safe: Understanding FDA Food-Contact Fabric Compliance.

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Care: Washing, Drying, and What to Avoid

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple maintains performance through hundreds of wash cycles — customer reports document 300+ cycles without degradation. Absorbency is engineered into the fiber structure and improves through the first few washes as the fiber structure fully opens.

Washing

Wash at medium temperature with a zero-residue detergent free of perfumes, dyes, UV brighteners, or enzymes. If absorbency diminishes over time, strip the fabric with hot water and Dawn dish soap to remove body oils, mineral deposits, and detergent buildup.

Drying

Dry on medium heat. Reshape while still damp if needed — bamboo viscose may relax slightly during laundering. Avoid high heat drying on Silver variants — excessive heat degrades antimicrobial effectiveness.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners, dryer sheets, or bleach with any Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple variant. Fabric softeners coat fibers with hydrophobic residue that destroys absorption permanently. Bleach degrades bamboo viscose and organic cotton fibers across all variants and additionally destroys Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment. Unlike polyester Stay Dry Dimple which tolerates oxygen bleach on Standard variants, no Bamboo Dimple variant tolerates any form of bleach.

Pre-Wash Requirements

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple is Ready-AbZORB processed — full absorption from first use without conditioning washes. Pre-wash for hygiene in body-contact products. Expect 5-6% shrinkage in both directions on first wash — more than polyester variants.

For why fabric softener damages performance fabrics, see Care Article 8 — Why Fabric Softener Destroys Performance Fabrics.

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple Specifications: Weight Tier Comparison

Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple's three weight tiers share identical absorption speed (under 2 seconds) and capacity ratio (10× weight). The fiber blend varies by variant — check the table for exact content. Capacity scales with weight.

Specification	LITE (340 GSM)	Standard (475 GSM)	Heavy Duty (625 GSM)
Weight	340 GSM (10 oz/sq yd)	475 GSM (14 oz/sq yd)	625 GSM (18.4 oz/sq yd)
Thickness	0.050"	0.075"	0.100"
Width	59-62"	60-62"	60-62"
Fiber Blend	60/40 or 70/30 bamboo/organic cotton (varies by variant)	70% bamboo / 30% organic cotton	60% bamboo / 40% organic cotton
Absorption Speed	Under 2 seconds	Under 2 seconds	Under 2 seconds
Absorption Capacity	10× fabric weight	10× fabric weight	10× fabric weight
Layer Equivalency	2 layers = 6 flannel	2 layers = 8 flannel	2 layers = 12 flannel
Stretch (Width)	20%	10%	10%
Stretch (Length)	5%	10%	5%
Shrinkage	5-6% both directions	5-6% both directions	5-6% both directions
Standalone Use	Yes	Yes	Yes
Available Treatments	Standard, Silver, FoodSAFE	Standard, Silver, FoodSAFE	Standard, Silver
pH	7.4 (neutral)	7.4 (neutral)	7.4 (neutral)
UPF Rating	50+	50+	50+
CPSIA Certified	Yes	Yes	Yes
Made in USA	Yes	Yes	Yes

All specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.