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Some diaper rash creams can ruin cloth diapers. If you must use a diaper rash cream that contains oils or petroleum jelly, use a diaper liner to keep it off your cloth diapers.

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Looking for a cloth diaper glossary? Confused by the diaper lingo?

...Cloth Planet is here to help!

If you are new to cloth diapers, the language can be a bit confusing. Here are some common cloth diaper terms and their meanings, as well as links to examples of some of the products mentioned.

All in One - AIO, AI2

A diaper that includes a waterproof outer layer and an absorbent inner layer. These one piece diapers are easy to use and do not require a separate cover. AI2 is short for All in 2 diapers. Typically these diapers have a snap in soaker layer. AI2 are easier to wash and dry.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a new fiber used for cloth diapers. It is made from real bamboo. You can find several different styles of bamboo fabric but the most commonly used in diaper making is bamboo velour. It is a very soft fabric that is more absorbent than cotton alone.

CPF, Chinese Prefold Diapers 

These are high quality cotton diapers. Not quite as soft as Indian Prefolds (see IPF) they are more durable and are most often the choice for embroidery or other embellishment. You can also get Chinese prefolds in great colors or tie dye.

Colored Chinese Prefolds

Cover

The waterproof outer covering used over a fitted, prefold or flat diaper to hold moisture in. Most commonly used diaper covers are made from PUL (polyurethane laminate), woven nylon, wool or polar fleece.

Diaper Pail Liner

Diaper pail liner is a bag made from washable waterproof material that allows you to remove all of the diapers from the pail at once, carry them to the wash and dump them in without touching them or having to scrub the pail every time you do laundry. You'll find diaper pail liners in many shapes and styles, usually $17-20.

DSQ, Diaper Service Quality

Diaper service quality diapers are made to withstand many washings and are more absorbent than the cloth diapers you'll find in big baby stores. Real DSQ diapers are usually made in China or India and are 100% cotton. The lesser brands are often made with an inferior fabric or with polyester batting instead of cotton inner layers.

Diaper Sprayer

A small sprayer that attaches to your toilet to spray off diapers. Not necessary to have, but a really nice option if you want to be able to rinse off messes directly into the toilet. No swishing or flushing required.

Doubler

An extra soaker that can be placed inside a diaper to make it more absorbent. Often used for overnights or for heavy wetters.

Fitted Diaper

A diaper that has a fastener such as snaps or hook and loop tape and elastic at the legs and back. They are easy to use and are a favorite choice for balancing diaper cost with performance.Fitted diapers require covers.

Organic Fitted Diapers

Flat Diaper

These are the old-fashioned squares of cloth used as diapers. Still very popular because one size fits most babies and they are the easiest to wash and dry quickly. Downsides include the need to fold them for each use and that they are not very absorbent for an older baby. Using a diaper doubler or using two diapers will solve this problem. The cheapest option for diapering. Typical flat diapers are made with a raised cotton weave fabric called birdseye. You can also find hemp or flannel flat diapers.

Fleece

There are two main types of fleece used for diapers. Cotton or hemp fleece is absorbent and is used for the main part of the diaper or for inside soaker layers. Polyester fleece is not absorbent and is used for wicking layers (microfleece) or outer waterproof layers or diaper covers (polar fleece).

Hemp

While the hemp plant is related to the marijuana plant it is not drug related. Hemp is a fast growing plant that requires fewer chemicals to grow than cotton.It is 30% more absorbent than cotton and is more durable. Hemp fabirc does not contain any drug-related compounds. While growing hemp is banned in the US due to an uniformed political situation, it was once grown freely in the US for making rope and other materials. Using hemp fabric does not in any way support the drug trade, despite myths you will see circulating on the internet. Click here to learn more about hemp. While you can try smoking a Happy Hempy it won't get you high!

Happy Hempy Hemp Diaper

Hyena

A term coined several years ago to refer to cloth diaper addicts who stalk the best custom diaper auctions. Now also refers to Hyena Cart, a collection of small stores owned by families. Think the idea of a cloth diaper addict is silly? Ah, grasshopper, you have much to learn!

IPF, Indian Prefold

Soft, absorbent cotton prefold diapers made in India or Pakistan. These are wildly popular and either Chinese or Indian prefolds are in most cloth diaper stashes even if they are only used as a backup.

Lanolin, Lanolize

Wool diaper covers require conditioning with lanolin, the natural oily substance produced by sheep to keep their wool dry. Wool covers that are prpoerly lanolized make great breathable daiper covers. Lanolin reacts with the ammonia in urine to neutralize odors. Lanolin is also a great skin conditioner and is used in many skin care products.

Liner

Diaper liners are used to protect the diaper from diaper rash creams or stains. Diapers are easier to clean if they have a liner that can be removed and cleaned on its own. Not a necessary item for most cloth diaper systems, but they are useful forprefolds or fitted diapers. Liners may be disposable or washable. Silk liners are used to treat diaper rash. Fleece liners provide a stay dry feeling and can help prevent diaper rash. Typical liners are made with flannel.

Longies

Long pants used instead of a diaper cover. Usually hand-knit or crocheted from wool. Vegans or those with an allergy to wool tend to prefer acrylic yarns. Longies are perfect in cooler climates because they only require one layer rather than two. Use over a fitted or well secured prefold.

Hand Knit Wool Longies

Microfleece

A polyester fleece that is very finely milled. Microfleece is used for a stay dry diaper in some fitted and pocket diapers.

Prefolds

A rectangular diaper most commonly made from cotton. The fabric is folded so the middle is more absorbent. Prefolds are also often used as burp cloths. Diaper service quality prefolds are a mainstay in most cloth diaper stashes even if they are only used as a backup.

Pocket Diaper

A patented diaper style that has a stay dry inner fabric, a moisture proof outer fabric, and a pocket opening (usually in the back) for an absorbent insert. A very popular style of diaper due to the convenience and adapatability of the system. Some well known brands include Happy Heiny (HH), Fuzzi Bunz (FB) and Little for Now (LFN.

Happy Heiny Pocket Diaper  Drybees Pocket Diaper

Polar Fleece

A polyester fleece that is commonly used for the outer layer of pocket diapers or as a waterproof diaper cover. The most popular brands are made by Malden Mills. Malden fleece is sought after because it is the most reliable anti-pill fleece and it is also the most water resistant. Fleeces differ widely, even from one manufacturer so some fleeces are more water resistant than others. Polar fleece is also used for blankets, outdoor gear and winter wear.

PUL

Polyester urethane laminate is known as PUL. This is a breathable, medical grade laminate used to waterproof fabric. PUL is used for diaper covers, diaper pail liners, changing pads, wet bags, all in one or pocket diapers and bibs, among other things.

PUL comes in dozens of colors and many diaper makers get their own custom fabrics laminated as well so there is an endless variety of PUL available. You can find diapers and diaper covers made from PUL brocade, Minky (a super soft fleece), cotton, polyester knits and other fabrics. Solid color PUL is the most reliable for overnights, but cotton prints work well as long as you are changing diapers every 2-3 hours (as is recommended anyway, it is not healthy to let a baby sit in a diaper for longer than that, even if it doesn't leak). Cute PUL prints make diapering fun.

Sherpa

Sherpa is a soft terry cloth like fabric that is made by brushing the loops of the terry cloth to make them even softer. Sherpa is available in cotton or polyester. Most sherpa has at least some polyester in it to make a durable fabric. Popular sherpa diapers include the Heiny Hugger from Happy Heiny and the Ecobaby One Size Fits All. Sherpa is great at containing messes because the texture of the fabric catches leaks. You can also find sherpa cloth baby wipes.

The kind of sherpa sold in most fabrics stores is polyester and is unsuitable for making diapers.

Shorties

Shorts that double as a diaper cover. Most often handmade with wool but may also be knit or crocheted with acrylic. See also Longies.

Soaker

There are two ways this word is used. A soaker can be the inner absorbent layers sewn into the diaper or it can be a wool or acryic knit or crochet cover.

Snappi(TM)

An ingenious little three sided stretchy fastener used to hold prefolds or flat diapers closed. The Snappi eliminates the need for pins.

Snappi Prefold Cloth Diaper

Suedecloth

A soft suede textured polyester cloth used as the inner lining in some pocket diapers. Moisture goes through the fabric to the soaker pad, leaving your baby's skin feeling dry longer.

Wool Soaker, Woolies, Wool Diaper Cover

Wool is an incredibly efficient natural fiber. It is very breathable and can hold up to 30% of its weight in moisture before it feels wet. Wool covers are not like the scratchy sweaters you may remember. Wool diaper covers are made from soft wools such as merino, Blue Faced Leicester and pure Peruvian wool. Wool covers only need to be washed about once every 2 weeks as long as they have no stains and are aired out between uses.

Hand made wool soakers and longies are often highly sought after.

Wool Wash

A special soap made just for wool. Wool is a natural fiber and requires gentler treatment than cotton. Wool washes cleanse the wool without stripping it. Many wool washes contain lanolin to help condition the wool and maintain it's water resistant tendencies.