A cloth diaper cover is a waterproof or water-resistant cover that goes over flat, prefold, contour or fitted diapers to hold in moisture and help prevent messy leaks. A good diaper cover fits gently around the legs for maximum leak protection and is easy to put on and take off. Cloth diaper covers are often made from waterproof PUL (polyurethane laminate), high-quality polyester fleece, or wool.

PUL covers are very popular because they are lightweight, don't add a lot of bulk, and dry very quickly. Fleece diaper covers are popular for their gentle fit and because they are very breathable.

Wool diaper covers do not need washing as often as other materials and they are well-loved by many parents because they are made from a natural,  biodegradable and renewable resource. Wool is also the most breathable diaper cover option so it is popular with parents of babies with sensitive skin.

How many diaper covers do I need?

That depends on how many days you want to go between doing laundry and what kind of diapers and covers you are using. If you use high-quality fitted diapers or are careful to secure prefolds well, you will need fewer diaper covers. Two or three per day is enough.

If you are using a less secure method of folding prefolds (such as trifolding it and placing it in the diaper cover) then you will need 3-4 covers per day. Wool covers work best over a secure and absorbent diaper. Wool has natural properties that make it need washing less often. Lanolin is added to wool diaper covers to make them softer and more moisture resistant. Lanolin also helps neutralize urine so there is no ammonia buildup and you can simply air out covers between uses.

As long as there are no solids on the wool cover and it has been properly treated with lanolin, you can go several days between washes and just alternate wool diaper covers. In this case you will need a total of 3-4 wool covers.

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