Cloth Diaper Shells Are Made of ??

A few weeks back I wrote a post explaining all the different materials cloth diaper inserts are made out of. The info was so popular that I put it in a static page on the 29 Diapers sidebar. After all, hearing that modern cloth diaper inserts are made of everything from microfiber to organic bamboo velour is a little confusing, no? I thought you could use an easy-to-understand explanation.

One of you just pointed out to me that diaper shells and covers are just as confusing. Of course! Duh. So here is the companion post, all about cloth diaper shells and covers. I hope it makes navigating the world of modern fluff a little easier.

Most wrap-style diaper covers are made of PUL--polyurethane-laminated polyester.

Diaper Covers

The ubiquitous Fuzzibunz pocket diaper shell is made of waterproof PUL with a fleece lining.

Pocket Diaper Shells

Pocket diaper shells are made of the same PUL as diaper covers, which means they are breathable but waterproof. But again, they are made of synthetic materials, which some people don’t want up against their babies’ skin. Polyester is a fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate–yup, the same phthalates you keep away from your kids by using reusable steel drinking bottles and buying natural skincare products. (On the other hand, if you’re not worried about your kids wearing poly-blend fabric shirts, you probably won’t worry that their cloth diapers are made of polyester. After all, the alternative for most people is disposables, which are filled with far worse chemicals.) Pocket diapers are also lined with fleece, which is also a synthetic material. But that synthetic nature is what makes fleece work so well as a diaper lining: instead of absorbing moisture it wicks it away from baby’s skin and allows it to be locked in the absorbent diaper insert that is stuffed in the pocket opening between the shell and lining. Pocket diapers are superb for preventing diaper rash because they come the closest to disposables’ ability to wick moisture away from baby’s skin. Pocket diapers cost $18-25 apiece. A few great brands are Fuzzibunz, Blueberry, and Happy Heinys.

Wool is the only natural fabric that is breathable and neutralizes urine with its lanolin--for real!

Wool Diaper Covers

Wool is different in so many ways from mainstream modern cloth diaper covers and shells. Wool comes in wrap-style covers that snap on just like PUL diaper covers, or they are available in pull-on “shortie” and “longie” varieties that double as shorts or pants. Just like PUL covers, they can be used over fitted diapers or prefolds, though you will need to use Snappis with prefolds under shorties since they don’t fit tightly enough to hold a prefold on without a Snappi.

Wool covers need to be soaked in lanolin-saturated water before use in order to be water-resistant. The cool thing about lanolin, though, is that when it comes into contact with urine it basically turns it to water, so you can air-dry wet wool covers and reuse them over and over until they are soiled. Wool covers need to be hand-washed and they can be fairly expensive, which is a deal-breaker for many families who are on the fence about cloth diapering either because of convenience or cost, but they are a great option for parents concerned about clothing their babies in natural fibers–especially if their baby has allergies or sensitive skin. Wool covers cost anywhere from $25-85 and come in many bright colors, just like PUL covers. Great brands are Sloomb/SustainableBabyish, Nifty Nappy, or Cranky Pants.