Diy cage liners

[Brittanynrush]

Hey guys, I'm trying to make reusable fleece pads but I can't find the right material for the center. I made a trial one and loved it. Only spot that was soaked after a week was under their hay so I put a tray there that I can rinse daily. I spot cleaned the liner and everything was fine....until I washed it. It literally fell apart in the washer. I'm assuming the cotton I used was not the right kind. It looks like it melted away. I really don't know what material is right though. Any opinions would be great. I don't sew so I do use the iron on stitch for all of their stuff. Works great. Please help guys. I'm out of paper bedding so they are on fleece and puppy pads but it's starting to get cold and I want to get their liners made so their cage is warmer.

 

[Jess565]

I use zorb as my middle layer. Fleece then zorb then a water proof mattress protector. I bought the zorb from eBay. You can use it to make nappies so it can take a bit of wetness
Edit: I also have washed mine on a 60 degree wash many times and has not fallen apart

 

[Bill & Ted]

I think it might be the “iron on stitch” that’s giving way in the wash. Especially if you wash the fleece in very hot water. You could try just plain old hand stitching, that can work well if you do it reasonably small.

 

[Tangle]

I used Zorb as well. In the instructions I found it did say that it needs to be completely enclosed, and quilted to help it stay in shape - having worked with it I'm not sure how well a no-sew version would hold together (my experience of iron on things isn't terribly positive, though!).

Do you have anyone with a sewing machine that could give you a hand?

 

[Brittanynrush]

They have about 3 cozies I made with iron on over a year ago. Wash them on cold or warm at least once a month depending on the weather. I think I just layered it wrong. Is the zorb more absorbent on one side? Better than cotton?

 

[Tangle]

Zorb is a lot more effective than cotton (absorbs more, faster and holds onto it better) but you pay a premium for that.

So I'm a bit confused - is this the first time this particular liner has been washed or the first liner you have washed in the machine at all?

If your core was woven cotton and you didn't finish the edges of the fabric at all when you made it then it will just fray with the action of the machine. Knitted fabric (such as fleece) won't do that, but anything woven is a bit prone to it. You can reduce the effect by using pinking shears. If you're sewing a liner then its fairly straightforward to zigzag all the edges to hold it together and reduce/prevent fraying - but how you'd achieve the same result for all the layers with iron on tape I'm not sure

 

[Brittanynrush]

I was in a huge hurry and didnt plan well. I managed to do it with cozies which is basically just the same thing just smaller. I think I just need to sit down and retry. I only made one because I was not sure what material would be best for the center. I won't make a bunch until I find what works best for my girls.