Cloth Diapering 101: Diaper Covers

If you use flats, prefolds, or fitted diapers, you will also need to use a separate waterproof diaper cover. There are three types of covers: PUL (Polyurethane Laminate), Fleece, and Wool.

PUL covers are probably the easiest and least intimidating diaper cover for those new to cloth diapering. PUL is basically laminated polyester. These covers are made to fit right over the diaper and will secure with velcro or snaps. Many covers have added leg gussets to help contain poo. PUL covers can be used multiple times before washing, as long as no poo has leaked onto the cover. Many people have only 2-4 covers for 24+ diapers, and they just rotate the covers, letting them air out between changes. If you are using prefolds, you can just fold the diaper into thirds and lay it in the cover. I do not prefer to do that, but many people do. Click here for a great selection of covers. My personal favorite: Imse Vimse. PUL cover pros: inexpensive, fits well under clothing, easy to wash. Some cons: synthetic material, not breathable.

Pictured here is an Imse Vimse Diaper Cover

Fleece covers are typically made in the style called a "soaker". They kind of look like underwear. You can sew your own using anti-pill fleece found at your local hobby store using this great free pattern. If you are not into sewing, you can buy them on etsy, or I'd be happy to make you some. :) Like PUL, fleece covers can also be used multiple times before washing, as long as no poo has leaked onto them. I just let them air out between changes, and toss them in the pail if they start to smell bad. Some advantages to fleece covers is that they are very inexpensive (especially if you make your own), easy to wash, and are more breathable than PUL. Little Man sleeps in a fleece soaker every night and I have no problems with dampness or leaks. Some disadvantages to fleece is that it is still a synthetic fiber, it gets "pilly" after a while, because you have to pull soakers off like underwear, there is potential mess if dealing with poo, and soakers do not fit well under clothing. I just match the soakers to Little Man's shirts to make outfits. In the colder weather, you can make fleece pants. I love using fleece!

Pictured here are some fleece soakers that I made

Now, onto the wonderful world of wool. Some people swear by it, others are intimidated by it. I fall somewhere in the middle. I am newer to using wool, but really like it. Why wool? As Marc Pehkonen puts it in this great article, it's "threefold combination of water-repellence, breathability and moisture absorbency make wool unparalleled as a choice for diaper covers." There are several types of wool diaper covers: handknit longies/shorties/soakers, sewn soakers made from upcycled wool sweaters or wool interlock, and fitted covers that look similar to the PUL covers. Here are some visual examples:

Some "monster" shorties I knit for Little Man

Some shorties I knit with yarn I dyed using Kool-Aid and Wilton's Icing Gel

A wool soaker I made by "upcycling" a J. Crew sweater 

I would say that the thing that probably scares people most about using wool is washing and caring for it. Here is a great detailed article on how to do this. It's easy once you get the hang of it. To read more about using wool, here's another great article. 

I hope I have helped demystify the world of diaper covers for you. Up next: Hybrids, Pockets, and All-In-One's. As always, if you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will do my best to answer.


Always, 

Amanda