Your go-to guide for cloth nappy jargon

Welcome to the wonderful world of cloth nappies! It might seem like there’s a secret language at first, but don’t worry – we’re here to break down the most common terms you’ll encounter.

This page is a quick reference guide. To help you understand the essential jargon so you can confidently talk the talk and make sense of all things cloth nappy.

The nappy itself: Types & components

• All-in-One (AIO): As the name suggests, everything is sewn together – absorbent layers and a waterproof outer. They are the most like a disposable to use, but have the disadvantage of slower drying and less customisable absorbency.
• All-in-Two (AI2): These nappies typically have a waterproof outer shell (the cover) and absorbent inserts that snap or lay in.
• Pocket nappy: Features a waterproof outer shell with an opening (the pocket) where you stuff absorbent inserts. This allows you to customise the absorbency and also speeds up drying time for the outer shell.
• Cover (or wrap): The waterproof outer layer of a two-part nappy system (like over a prefold or fitted nappy). They come in various materials, most commonly PUL or wool.
• Insert: The absorbent material that goes inside a pocket nappy or is laid into an AI2 or cover. Inserts come in various materials (see ‘Materials‘ below). Sometimes called a soaker or pad.
• Booster: An extra absorbent layer added to an insert, prefold or preflat, to increase absorbency, especially for heavy wetters or overnight. Thinner than an insert, although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
• Prefold: A rectangular piece of absorbent fabric, typically cotton, that is folded in various ways around the baby and then secured with a snappi or pins, and covered with a waterproof cover.
• Fitted nappy: A contoured absorbent nappy that fits snugly around the baby and fastens with snaps or hook & loop, but is not waterproof. It requires a separate waterproof cover. Excellent for absorbency, especially overnight.
• Flat nappy (or terry square): The most traditional type of cloth nappy – a large, square piece of fabric (often cotton terry) that is folded around the baby and secured with a snappi or pins, requiring a waterproof cover. Very quick drying.
• Preflat: A preflat is a modern twist on the traditional flat nappy. Instead of being a simple square, it’s a flat piece of absorbent fabric (often cotton, bamboo, or hemp, sometimes with a bit of stretch like elastane) that is already cut or shaped to have ‘wings’ and a narrower central section, often resembling a ‘T’ or hourglass shape. This pre-shaping makes it easier and quicker to fold around the baby than a traditional flat.
• Snappi: A modern, plastic fastener with grippy teeth used to secure prefolds, flats and prefolds in place, replacing traditional nappy pins.

Fastening & fit

• Snaps: Plastic or metal poppers used to fasten the nappy around the baby and also to adjust the sizing (rise snaps). Durable and often preferred by parents whose babies can undo hook & loop.
• Hook & loop (H&L) / aplix / Velcro (brand name): A hook and loop fastening system used to secure the nappy. Offers a very customisable fit. Many hook & loop nappies have ‘laundry tabs’ to prevent snagging in the wash.
• Rise snaps: Rows of snaps on the front of the nappy that allow you to adjust the length (or ‘rise’) of the nappy to fit babies of different sizes, from newborn to toddler.
• Leg elastics: The elasticated edges around the baby’s legs, designed to contain messes and prevent leaks. Proper fit here is crucial!
• Waist elastics: The elasticated edges around the baby’s waist helping to provide a snug fit.
• One-size (OSFM – one size fits most): Nappies designed to adjust in size to fit babies from newborn (or soon after) up to potty training, usually via rise snaps.

Materials: What are modern cloth nappies made of?

• PUL (polyurethane laminate): The most common waterproof material used for cloth nappy covers and outer shells. It’s breathable yet waterproof.
• TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane): Another waterproof material, similar to PUL, often considered a more eco-friendly alternative due to its manufacturing process.
• Microfleece / suedecloth / stay-dry layer: Synthetic fabrics used as the inner lining of pocket nappies or AI2s, or as a top layer on inserts. They create a stay-dry layer, by wicking moisture away from the baby’s skin so they feel less wet.
• Athletic Wicking Jersey (AWJ): A thin, knit synthetic fabric known for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. It’s often used as an inner lining (like a stay-dry layer) in nappies because it pulls moisture away from the skin and dries quickly, offering a cool feel.
• Microfibre: A synthetic, highly absorbent material often used in inserts. It absorbs quickly but can suffer from compression leaks and shouldn’t be placed directly against the baby’s skin.
• Bamboo: A highly absorbent natural fibre, often blended with cotton or hemp.
• Hemp: A very absorbent natural fibre, known for its slimness and durability. Often blended with cotton.
• Cotton: A classic natural fibre, very absorbent and widely used in prefolds, flats, and some inserts.
• Zorb: A proprietary blend of fibres designed for very high absorbency.
• Wool: A natural fibre used for breathable, waterproof covers (often called ‘wool soakers’ or ‘longies’). Requires lanolising to maintain its waterproof properties. Excellent for overnight.

Care & maintenance

• Wet pail / dry pail: Terms referring to how you store dirty nappies between washes. A ‘wet pail’ involves soaking in water; a ‘dry pail’ involves storing in a breathable pail or wet bag without water. At Clean Cloth Nappies, we recommend dry pailing.
• Wet bag: A waterproof bag with a zip closure, used for storing dirty nappies when out and about, or as a small laundry bag at home.
• Liner (disposable/flushable): A thin sheet (often bamboo or cellulose) placed on top of the nappy to catch solids. Can be disposable or reusable (fleece).
• Stripping: This term traditionally referred to a deep cleaning process to remove build-up from nappies. We found cloth nappy stripping ineffective and unnecessary and developed our own sanitisation methods to remove stains, smells and ammonia. Our methods avoid the need for complicated or expensive specialty ‘stripping’ products, excessive soaking, or elaborate steps
• Lanolising: The process of applying lanolin to wool covers to make them waterproof and odour-resistant.
• Prep: The initial washing of new cloth nappies (especially natural fibres) to reach full absorbency. We recommend changing new cloth nappies more frequently instead of running new nappies through multiple wash cycles.
• Detergent: The washing powder or liquid you use to clean your nappies. Choosing the right detergent is key to a good wash routine.
• Wash routine: The specific steps you follow to wash your cloth nappies, including first wash, main wash, water temperature, and detergent amounts. A well-designed, consistent wash routine results in clean, fresh, and issue-free nappies.

Nappy manufacturers

• Inexpensive mass-produced nappies: Generic, budget-friendly, and mass-produced nappies. You might hear them called ‘Chinese Cheapies’ (CCs). They’re often available on sites like eBay, AliExpress, and Temu, or directly from manufacturers.
• Modified nappies: Nappies that have been altered from the original design provided by the manufacturer. A large number of the nappies you see on the market fall into this category.
• Original design nappies: Premium nappies made from a unique, custom design or template.
• Sewn at home (SAH) / Sew at home maker (SAHM): A cloth nappy product that is made by someone at home.
• White labeling: This is when one company (the manufacturer) produces a generic, unbranded product, and another company (the retailer or brand owner) then buys it, puts their own logo and branding on it, and sells it as their own. In the cloth nappy world, a manufacturer creates unbranded nappies, and another business buys, brands, and sells to consumers.
• Work at home (WAH) / Work at home maker (WAHM): A business that operates out of someone’s home.

Remember, every experienced cloth nappy user was once a beginner navigating these new words.

We hope this jargon buster helps you navigate your cloth nappy journey with confidence! If you encounter a term not listed here, please submit a post in our Facebook group.