Diaper Dictionary
AIO (All-in-one) - A diaper and cover combined in one. It's the easiest type of diaper to use, although they can take longer to dry after washing since you cannot separate the absorbency.
Diaper Cover - Covers are used as a waterproof barrier for all non-waterproof diapers. (Fitteds, Prefolds and Flats). Generally they are made out of Polyurethane laminates (PUL), polyester, waterproof nylon, wool and fleece. They can come in many different styles, such as wrap style covers that you fasten with snaps or aplix, or pull-ups that you use like underpants.
Pocket Diaper - Pocket diapers are the most common style of diaper used today. Pocket diapers are much like AIO's, except you are able to remove the absorbency in order to make laundering easier and to cut down on drying time. They have an outer waterproof layer as well as an inner stay-dry layer such as microfleece. There is a pocket opening which allows you to add as much or as little absorbency as you need.
Fitted Diapers - Fitted diapers are much like a disposable, except they need to be used with a diaper cover as there is no outer layer of waterproof material. They are contoured and have elastics around the waist and legs. They fasten with snaps or aplix.
Prefolds - Prefolds are the most economical method of cloth diapering. They are rectangular shaped and must be folded into the shape of a diaper. You can fasten them with pins or a Snappi, or they can be secured by placing a wrap style cover over top. They must be used with a cover as there is no waterproof layer. They have multiple layers of absorbency, with extra layers in the middle where absorbency is needed the most. Generally they are made up of 2-4 layers on the outer sides with 6-8 layers in the middle.
Flats - A square, single layer diaper that requires folding to be used on your child.
Inserts - Inserts are the absorbent layer you place inside a pocket diaper.
Doublers - Absorbent soakers that can be added to any diaper to increase the absorbency. They are especially useful during naps, bedtime, or any other time when you know you may need extra absorbency.
Liners - A thin piece of fabric or paper that is laid inside a diaper to aid in the cleaning of solid waste. Liners can also be used to protect your diapers from creams when needed. They can be made out of paper which can be flushed or thrown away after disposing of the solid waste. Or they can be made out of fabric (usually fleece) which aids in disposing of the solid waste and helps to protect your diapers from staining.
Snappi - A plastic tool used for fastening diapers as opposed to using pins. Snappi's have three legs, each leg has a plastic head with "teeth" that dig into the fabric.
Stripping - A process used to remove detergent build-up on diapers.
One-Size Diaper - A diaper which can be adjusted to fit multiple sizes. Comes in fitteds, AIO's, and Pocket Diapers.
Lanolizing - The process of restoring the water resistant quality to your wool covers.
Pail Liner - A waterproof liner which you place inside of your diaper pail. Pail Liners are washable and help to aid in making laundry a bit less messy as you simply lift the pail liner out of your diaper pail, empty the contents into the washing machine, then throw the pail liner in as well to be laundered.
Wet Bag - Small waterproof bags which usually fasten with either aplix or a zipper that are used in your diaper bag to throw dirty diapers in while you are out and about. Wet bags can be laundered with the rest of your diapers.
Diaper Pail - A pail used for holding your dirty cloth diapers. You can buy specially made pails that are specifically used for this purpose, or you can also use any garbage can found at your local hardware store.
Toilet Sprayer - A device that hooks up to your toilet and assists with rinsing dirty diapers off, preventing the need to dunk them.
Wicking - Moisture escaping from the inside of the diaper to the outside. Wicking can occur with older, well worn, or poorly made diapers, and with fleece or wool. It can also occur when all of the diaper (flat, prefold or fitted) is not stuffed inside of the cover.