Guide to Cloth Diaper Cover Materials

As a mother to a fully cloth-diapered child, I have tested every form of diaper cover material on the market, and came to only one conclusion: there is no such thing as a perfect diaper cover. However, I did at least reach a number of conclusions regarding the nature of different materials and was finally able to select a material that worked for my family.

It may be difficult for you to select a diaper cover type that is best suited to the needs of your child, with so many different covers on the market. This guide may help you to determine which materials best suit your needs and preferences.

Wool

Because of their versatility, warmth, and comfort, wool diaper covers have become very popular in the past few years. Wool has natural anti-bacterial properties and is delightfully earth-friendly because it comes from a naturally occuring source that requires minimal processing. Because it is very breathable, diaper rashes seldom occur when wool covers are used, and it does a fine job of wicking moisture away from Baby's bottom without leaks.

The downside to wool is that it can not be bleached, and this is a source of discomfort for parents who want their diapers to be sterile (or near-sterile) after coming out of the wash. Because it is sourced from sheep, wool is also a no-go for vegan families, which is a downside to its overall market appeal.

Fleece

Generally sourced synthetically from recycled polyester, fleece is another common material for use in diaper covers. Like wool, it is very breathable but allows few leaks. Many parents are surprised at how leak-proof fleece is, even though it is relatively porous. Although it contains synthetic materials, it is considered earth-friendly by its proponents because the materials are almost always recycled, depending on the brand.

In spite of its obvious positive aspects, fleece has one serious drawback: it tends to be very bulky compared to other diaper cover materials. With most modern infant clothing designed for babies in disposable diapers, it's often difficult to fit a fleece-covered baby bottom into standard clothing sizes, especially if they are being used with already-bulky fitted diapers.

PUL

Polyurethane laminate, dubbed PUL by those who don't care to speak a mouthful every time diapers come up in conversation, is probably the most popular material for diaper covers currently on the market. Polyurethane laminate diaper covers are very thin, but very water resistant. They have all the leak-proof properties of fleece and wool but without the bulk, and they tend to hold up well in the wash, even when bleached.

Polyurethane laminate is, however, less green than its counterparts because it is sourced from artificial materials that are ultimately based in petroleum. While being watertight, they are not water-absorbant, which means that they sometimes leak in the corners when a diaper is extremely wet.

Vinyl

"Rubber pants" were at one time the most popular (or only) form of diaper cover widely available, although they have fallen out of common use. Made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, they are extremely inexpensive compared to other diaper covers and may run as little as one-tenth the cost of other covers. They are also the most leak-proof of all materials.

Unfortunately, their water-tightness can be their downfall. Parents who use rubber pants often find that their vinyl's lack of breathability leads to diaper rashes, which can at times be very severe, since they allow no air to circulate near the baby's bottom. The problem is most significant when a baby is left in a vinyl diaper cover at night. Polyvinyl chloride is also considered to be a very toxic substance that may be harmful to both your baby and the world around him.

Cotton

Cotton is one of the greenest-all-around options as a diaper cover material. Available unbleached, fair-trade, American-made, and organically grown, cotton is the only widely available cover-material that is both vegan and natural. Because it is woven to be slightly porous and lacks the absorbent properties of wool and fleece, cotton covers are the most breathable material for use in cloth diaper covers, and they also tend to be very thin.

Predictably, however, they are also the leakiest. Even cotton covers with extra layers for added absorbency tend to leak a bit, and are generally only reliable for an hour or two. Cotton covers are most appropriate for babies who only wet lightly, or who are wearing them temporarily as a solution for diaper rash.

There is no such thing as a perfect diaper cover, but careful selection can help to insure a proper fit for the individual family and child, depending on specific preferences.