ProECO Bamboo Fleece: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Bamboo Fleece Fabric

What ProECO Bamboo Fleece Is and Why It Matters

ProECO Bamboo Fleece is a brushed knit fleece manufactured by AKAS Tex, combining 70% bamboo viscose with 30% organic cotton in a mechanically raised pile construction. Available across three weight tiers — 300 GSM (Standard), 400 GSM (Heavy), and 500 GSM (Super Heavy) — this family is the absorbency workhorse of the ProECO collection.

ProECO Bamboo Fleece serves primarily as an absorbent inner layer: cloth diaper cores, nursing pads, menstrual pads, incontinence products, and baby care items where soft moisture capture is the defining requirement. ProECO Bamboo French Terry shares the same fiber blend and weight tiers but uses smooth-face-plus-loop construction instead of brushed pile — choose Fleece when maximum plush softness matters (inner absorbent layers), choose French Terry when you need a clean finished face on one side (towels, robes, garment exteriors).

The bamboo viscose fiber delivers a silky, luxurious hand feel that customers describe as "buttery soft" and "exquisite" — noticeably softer than cotton. Ready-AbZORB processing activates full absorbency immediately without the 20+ conditioning washes typically required for natural fiber fleece. This family contains no Lycra — stretch comes from knit construction only (5–10% depending on weight tier), making these stable, low-stretch fabrics suited to absorbent layering rather than body-conforming garment construction.

The family includes six variants across three weight tiers, each available in Standard and Silver (antimicrobial odor control). All variants hold CPSIA certification, UPF 50+ sun protection, and Forever Chemicals-Free verification. ProECO SustainSafe chemical-free fabric manufacturing and Ready-AbZORB immediate absorbency processing are standard across all six. Made in USA.

For how ProECO SustainSafe and Ready-AbZORB work, see "What is ProECO SustainSafe Technology?" and "What is Ready-AbZORB Technology?"

The Complete ProECO Bamboo Fleece Lineup

ProECO Bamboo Fleece includes six variants across three weight tiers — Standard (300 GSM), Heavy (400 GSM), and Super Heavy (500 GSM) — each available with or without Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment.

Standard Bamboo Fleece — 300 GSM (0.047" Thick, 70/30 Bamboo Viscose/Organic Cotton)

W-257 ProECO Bamboo Fleece: The foundation variant. 300 GSM brushed pile with 5%/5% stretch, 60–64" width. Customers describe the hand feel as "exquisite" and "chinchilla-butt soft" — no pilling after many washes. Thin 0.047" profile works for nursing pads and diaper inserts where discreet absorbency matters under clothing. Pre-wash for 3–4% width and 8–10% length shrinkage.
W-518 ProECO Bamboo Fleece Silver: Same 300 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial — 99.5% effectiveness through 50+ wash cycles. Adds odor control for cloth diapers, extended-wear nursing pads, and intimate apparel where freshness between washes matters. Customers call it the "best fabric ever used."

Heavy Bamboo Fleece — 400 GSM (0.050" Thick, 70/30 Bamboo Viscose/Organic Cotton)

W-252 ProECO Heavy Bamboo Fleece: The mid-weight option balancing absorbency capacity with manageable bulk. 400 GSM with 5%/5% stretch, 60–64" width. Customers describe it as "buttery soft" with 3-second liquid capture — warm enough for baby blankets, structured enough for zip-up sweatshirts. Symmetric 4–5% shrinkage both directions simplifies pattern planning.
W-251 ProECO Heavy Bamboo Fleece Silver: Same 400 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial. Customer-validated for CPAP mask cushioning (performs "better than anything else" for preventing facial pressure marks), incontinence products, and baby blankets where antimicrobial freshness extends wear time.

Super Heavy Bamboo Fleece — 500 GSM (0.053" Thick, 70/30 Bamboo Viscose/Organic Cotton)

W-238 ProECO Super Heavy Bamboo Fleece: Maximum absorbency capacity at 500 GSM — the heaviest bamboo fleece in the collection. This tier steps up to \*\*10%/10% stretch\*\* (doubled from the lighter tiers). Customers report less pilling and more durable construction than competing super heavy bamboo fleeces. For heavyweight cloth diaper cores, menstrual pad absorbent layers, and baby blankets requiring maximum liquid capacity.
W-237 ProECO Super Heavy Bamboo Fleece Silver: Same 500 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial — 99.9% effectiveness through 50+ wash cycles. Maximum absorbency with odor control for the most demanding applications: overnight cloth diapers, heavy-flow menstrual pads, and incontinence products requiring both capacity and freshness.

Key Concept — Weight Tier Drives Absorbency Capacity: Heavier tiers absorb more liquid per layer. Standard (300 GSM) is thinnest for discreet applications like nursing pads. Heavy (400 GSM) balances capacity with moderate bulk for diaper inserts and baby blankets. Super Heavy (500 GSM) provides maximum capacity for overnight diapers and heavy-flow menstrual pads — but adds bulk when layered. Customers building cloth diapers often choose Standard or Heavy for trim inserts and Super Heavy for overnight boosters.

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

Choosing Your ProECO Bamboo Fleece: Weight Tier and Treatment

ProECO Bamboo Fleece decisions happen on two axes — weight tier (how much absorbency and bulk) and treatment (Standard vs. Silver antimicrobial).

Choose by Weight Tier

Standard 300 GSM (W-257 / W-518): Thinnest profile at 0.047" — for nursing pads under clothing, lightweight diaper inserts, baby washcloths, burp cloths, and applications where bulk must stay minimal. 5%/5% stretch. Note: asymmetric shrinkage — 3–4% width but 8–10% length.
Heavy 400 GSM (W-252 / W-251): Mid-weight balance — substantial enough for baby blankets and sweatshirt construction while still manageable in layered absorbent products. 5%/5% stretch. Symmetric 4–5% shrinkage both directions makes pattern planning simpler.
Super Heavy 500 GSM (W-238 / W-237): Maximum capacity — for overnight diapers, heavy-flow pads, and applications where liquid volume matters more than slim profile. Steps up to 10%/10% stretch. Expect 3–5% width and 6–8% length shrinkage.

Choose by Treatment

Standard — For general absorbent applications where antimicrobial protection isn't needed. Most cost-effective option.
Silver — For applications where odor control extends useful wear time between washes: cloth diapers (ammonia control), incontinence products, and athletic or intimate apparel.

Shrinkage varies by tier: Standard 300 GSM shrinks dramatically more in length (8–10%) than width (3–4%). Heavy 400 GSM shrinks symmetrically (4–5% both). Super Heavy 500 GSM falls between (3–5% width, 6–8% length). Always pre-wash and measure your specific tier before cutting.

For cross-family comparisons between ProECO Bamboo Fleece and other ProECO constructions, see the relevant Decision Framework articles.

Working With ProECO Bamboo Fleece: Sewing and Construction Guide

ProECO Bamboo Fleece handles differently from synthetic polyester fleece — it has significantly less stretch (5–10% vs. 25–50% typical for polyester), edges curl during construction, and the bamboo viscose content creates a softer hand that requires more careful manipulation during sewing.

Cutting and Layout

Pre-wash in hot water, dry medium heat before cutting — shrinkage varies significantly by tier (see Choosing section above). Test a small piece first, especially for the Standard tier's asymmetric 8–10% length shrinkage.
Pile direction: Cut all pieces with brushed pile running the same direction for consistent appearance and hand feel. Pile direction affects visual texture under lighting.
Not slippery: Customers report the fabric handles well during cutting — no special tools required beyond sharp scissors or rotary cutter.
Label immediately: Natural fiber fleeces (bamboo, sherpa) look similar in unfinished form. Customers recommend labeling fabric pieces right after purchase to avoid confusion.

Sewing Recommendations

Needle: Universal or ballpoint needle, size 80/12 for Standard tier, 90/14 for Heavy and Super Heavy.
Stitch type: Serger provides the best edge finish for absorbent products that endure frequent hot washing. The fabric serges well — go slowly to prevent stretching the soft fleece through the machine.
Edge curling: Edges curl during construction — use extra pins along seam allowances to maintain alignment. Enclose raw edges in binding or turned hems when possible.
Pattern adjustment: These are low-stretch fabrics (5–10%). If substituting for polyester fleece in a pattern, adjust ease allowances — designs that rely on 25–50% stretch recovery will not work.
Small-scale work: Customers confirm the fabric handles detailed work including 3-inch diameter circles with precise serger stitching — suitable for nursing pad and makeup pad construction.

Common Applications for ProECO Bamboo Fleece

ProECO Bamboo Fleece fills the absorbent inner layer role across baby care, personal hygiene, medical, household, and pet product categories.

Cloth diaper cores and inserts — The dominant application across all three weight tiers. Standard and Heavy for everyday inserts; Super Heavy for overnight boosters. Ready-AbZORB means full absorbency from first use without conditioning washes. Customers report the fabric stays "thirsty" through years of hot-water laundering.
Nursing pads and menstrual pads — Standard 300 GSM's thin 0.047" profile keeps nursing pads discreet under clothing. Heavy and Super Heavy provide capacity for menstrual and incontinence pads. Silver variants add odor control for extended wear.
Baby washcloths and burp cloths — Customers make figure-8 shaped burp cloths that stay on shoulders because the brushed surface "grabs" adjacent fabric and won't slip off. Also validated for baby bibs and potty training pants.
CPAP mask cushioning — Customer-discovered application where Heavy Bamboo Fleece cushions CPAP equipment against the face during sleep, performing "better than anything else" for preventing pressure marks. Also validated for feeding tube covers and other medical comfort applications.
Household reusables — Dish cloths, hot pads, car chamois, makeup remover pads, and pillow cases for frequent washing. The bamboo viscose absorbency and durability support transition from disposables to reusable products.
Pet products — Customers make cat toy mice and knotted tug toys for dogs, using every scrap of fabric. The softness is described as "gentle-on-the-mouth" for pet toys.
Garment construction — Heavy tier validated for leggings, underwear, and zip-up sweatshirts where warmth and softness matter more than stretch. Structured enough to support zippers at 400 GSM.

For complete build guides for specific applications, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

Pairing ProECO Bamboo Fleece With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

ProECO Bamboo Fleece serves as the absorbent inner layer in multi-layer product construction. Most absorbent products require a waterproof barrier, a cover layer, or both — paired with the bamboo fleece core.

Absorbent Product Builds

Cloth diapers: Bamboo Fleece absorbent core inside ProSoft ECO-PUL waterproof shell. Standard or Heavy for daytime inserts; Super Heavy for overnight boosters.
Menstrual and incontinence pads: Bamboo Fleece absorbent layer with ProSoft ECO-PUL waterproof backing and a soft jersey or interlock top layer for skin contact.
Nursing pads: Standard Bamboo Fleece with ProSoft ECO-PUL moisture barrier to prevent strike-through.

Garment and Home Builds

Baby blankets: Bamboo Fleece standalone — pile side up for plush surface. Or backed with ProECO Organic Cotton Interlock for smooth skin-contact reverse.
Sweatshirts and loungewear: Heavy Bamboo Fleece as garment body with ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Rib trim at cuffs and waistbands for coordinated construction.

Your results may vary based on product design and construction.
For complete build guidance on specific projects, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

ProECO Bamboo Fleece Certifications

All six ProECO Bamboo Fleece variants hold the same core safety certifications through ProECO SustainSafe processing — which covers the fabric manufacturing stage (knitting, brushing, finishing) under chemical-free, USA-based EPA/OSHA standards. Silver variants add Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment.

Safety Certifications and Chemical-Free Verifications

CPSIA Certified: Children's product safety compliance (lead, phthalates, BPA testing)
California Proposition 65 Compliant
EU REACH SVHC and RoHS 10 Compliant
UPF 50+: Blocks 98% UV radiation
Made in USA: EPA/OSHA manufacturing standards
US Cotton Trust Protocol: Verified sustainable organic cotton sourcing (30% cotton content)
Forever Chemicals-Free: No PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, PTFE detected
BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Lead-Free: Tested per CPSIA standards
pH 7.4 (Neutral): No acidic or basic residues
Color Fastness 4.5: Exceeds standard 3–4 rating — maintains color through hot-water laundering

Fabric vs. Finished Product: CPSIA certification of the fabric does not automatically certify your finished product. Finished children's products may require independent testing depending on your product category and sales channels.

For what these certifications require and mean for your products, see the relevant Features Discovery articles.

ProECO Bamboo Fleece Care

ProECO Bamboo Fleece does not contain Lycra — which simplifies heat management compared to Stretch-FIT families. Hot water washing is safe and recommended for the hygiene-critical applications this fabric typically serves.

Washing

Wash hot water with standard detergent. Hot washing supports sanitation for baby products, cloth diapers, and menstrual pads. For Silver variants, use zero-residue detergent with an extra rinse cycle to preserve antimicrobial longevity. Adequate rinsing prevents detergent buildup that reduces absorbency over time.

Pilling in fleece is normal — and intentional. Our fleece is manufactured without anti-pill chemical treatments. Anti-pill finishes use silicones, resins, or chemical crosslinkers that reduce breathability, compromise softness, and introduce environmental concerns — with effectiveness lasting only 5–30 washes. Some surface pilling is expected with wear and friction. Use a fabric shaver to restore the surface — never pull pills by hand, which damages the base fabric structure.

Drying

Tumble dry medium heat. Hot iron is acceptable if needed. Remove promptly from dryer to minimize wrinkling.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets — they permanently coat fibers, destroying absorbency (can lose 50%+ capacity). For Silver variants, fabric softeners also permanently destroy antimicrobial effectiveness. Never use chlorine bleach — oxygen bleach is acceptable for both Standard and Silver variants.

Pre-Wash Requirements

Pre-wash is essential before cutting — but shrinkage varies significantly by weight tier. Standard tier: 3–4% width, 8–10% length (asymmetric — plan length-sensitive pattern pieces carefully). Heavy tier: 4–5% both directions (symmetric). Super Heavy tier: 3–5% width, 6–8% length. Always test a small piece from your specific tier before pre-washing full yardage.

ProECO Bamboo Fleece Specifications

All six ProECO Bamboo Fleece variants share the same 70/30 bamboo viscose/organic cotton blend. Weight tier determines GSM, thickness, stretch, and shrinkage behavior.

Variant	Weight	Thick	Stretch (W×L)	Shrinkage (W×L)	Treatment
W-257	300 GSM	0.047"	5% × 5%	3–4% × 8–10%	Standard
W-518	300 GSM	0.047"	5% × 5%	3–4% × 8–10%	Silver
W-252	400 GSM	0.050"	5% × 5%	4–5% × 4–5%	Standard
W-251	400 GSM	0.050"	5% × 5%	4–5% × 4–5%	Silver
W-238	500 GSM	0.053"	10% × 10%	3–5% × 6–8%	Standard
W-237	500 GSM	0.053"	10% × 10%	3–5% × 6–8%	Silver

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