Cloth Diaper Glossary: The Complete Dictionary of Terminology

The cloth diaper glossary helps to understand the vocabulary used in the world of reusable baby diapers. Between insert, booster, All-in-One (AIO), All-in-Two (AI2), All-in-Three (AI3), cover, shell, PUL, or stay-dry effect, technical terms can seem complex when starting out.

This educational dictionary from Ma Boule De Couches® was designed to help parents better choose their cloth diapers, adjust absorption, prevent leaks, and adopt an effective washing routine.

Essential Terms to Know for Using Cloth Diapers

The vocabulary of cloth diapers covers diaper systems, absorbent materials, accessories, and care concepts. This page aims to centralize the most useful definitions for both beginner parents and families already using them.

A — Words Starting with A in Cloth Diapers

Absorbent

Textile part of the cloth diaper that absorbs and stores urine.

Absorption

Ability of a textile to retain a certain amount of liquid.

Main absorbent

Main absorbent element of a cloth diaper, used with each change.

Night absorbent

Reinforced absorbent designed for long periods, especially at night.

Adjustment

Correct positioning of the cloth diaper on the baby to prevent leaks and ensure comfort.

Anti-leak

Term referring to the ability of a diaper or system to limit urine leaks.

B — Words Starting with B in Cloth Diapers

Bamboo

Highly absorbent textile fiber frequently used in washable inserts.

Heavy wetter baby

Term used to describe a baby who urinates a lot and needs more absorption.

Baking soda

Product sometimes used to neutralize certain odors, with caution in cloth diaper care.

Booster

Additional absorbent added to the diaper to increase its capacity.

Absorbent booster

Complementary insert used to reinforce absorption, especially for night or long outings.

Distributing booster

Textile accessory whose role is to help distribute urine over a larger absorbent surface.

Anti-leak barrier

Textile element or technical design that limits liquid leakage.

C — Words Starting with C in Cloth Diapers

Absorption capacity

Quantity of urine a diaper or insert can absorb before saturation.

Hemp

Natural material with very good absorption performance, often used for night diapers.

Change

Action of replacing the baby's diaper when it is soiled or wet.

Cloth diaper

Reusable textile protection designed to absorb urine and retain baby's stool.

👉 Discover models: see baby cloth diapers

Pocket diaper

Diaper with an internal pocket into which one or more absorbents are slipped.

Night diaper

Reinforced diaper designed to last several hours without leaking.

Prefold diaper

Very absorbent diaper that requires a waterproof cover to be leak-proof.

One-size diaper

Adjustable cloth diaper that can accompany the baby over a wide weight range.

Waterproof cover

Waterproof outer part of a cloth diaper system preventing leaks.

D — Words Starting with D in Cloth Diapers

Urinary flow

Quantity and speed of urine emission by the baby, which influences the choice of absorbents.

Stripping

Deep cleaning aimed at eliminating accumulated residues in the absorbent fibers.

👉 Diagnosis: stripping calculator

Double absorption

Technique consisting of combining several absorbents in the same diaper.

Wear time

Time a cloth diaper can be used before changing.

E — Words Starting with E in Cloth Diapers

Hard water

Water rich in limescale that can affect the effectiveness of washing cloth diapers.

Stay-dry effect

Property of a textile that allows urine to pass to the absorbent while keeping the surface drier.

Elastics

Textile bands placed around the thighs or back to improve fit and waterproofing.

Buildup

Accumulation of detergent residue, limescale, or grease in the absorbent fibers.

Care

All actions related to washing, drying, and storing cloth diapers.

F — Words Starting with F in Cloth Diapers

Wet bag

Textile bag used to transport or group cloth diapers until the machine.

Natural fiber

Textile material derived from natural resources such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, or modal.

Synthetic fiber

Textile material manufactured industrially, such as microfiber or certain technical fabrics.

Cloth diaper leak

Passage of urine out of the diaper, often linked to poor fit, lack of absorption, or buildup.

👉 Complete guide: understanding leaks

Change frequency

Number of changes needed per day depending on the baby's age and rhythm.

G — Words Starting with G in Cloth Diapers

GOTS

Textile certification guaranteeing the organic origin of fibers and strict environmental criteria.

Grammage

Weight of a textile per square meter, which can influence absorption capacity and drying time.

Heavy wetter

See "heavy wetter baby", a term often used for babies who need high absorption capacity.

H — Words Starting with H in Cloth Diapers

EC (Elimination Communication)

Infant Natural Hygiene: an approach consisting of observing the baby's elimination signals to offer the potty early.

Residual moisture

Moisture remaining in diapers or inserts after washing or incomplete drying.

Hygiene

All practices to keep cloth diapers clean and healthy.

I — Words Starting with I in Cloth Diapers

Waterproof

Property of a textile that prevents liquids from passing through.

Insert

Main absorbent of a cloth diaper, removable in many systems.

👉 See absorbents: discover inserts

Bamboo insert

Insert made from bamboo fibers, appreciated for its high absorption capacity.

Night insert

Reinforced insert for extended use at night.

Washable insert

Reusable absorbent that can be washed after each use.

L — Words Starting with L in Cloth Diapers

Compatible detergent

Detergent suitable for cloth diaper care, capable of cleaning fibers without causing buildup.

Washing cloth diapers

Complete process of cleaning diapers, inserts, and textile accessories.

Flat diaper

Large square of fabric that can be used as an absorbent, diaper, or changing accessory.

Absorbent linen

All textile elements intended to retain urine in cloth diapers.

M — Words Starting with M in Cloth Diapers

Washing machine

Appliance used to wash cloth diapers, inserts, and accessories.

Internal mesh

In SEO, the set of links between pages of the same site. A good glossary can strengthen the entire site through this principle.

Microfiber

Highly absorbent synthetic material, effective quickly but not to be placed directly against the skin.

Modal

Textile fiber derived from cellulose, soft and effective for cloth diapers.

Wetter

Term used to describe a baby who urinates a lot.

N — Words Starting with N in Cloth Diapers

Shell

Inner part of an AI3 system designed to hold the absorbent insert.

Absorption level

Overall capacity of a diaper to absorb according to its composition and the absorbents used.

Night

Period during which the diaper must offer longer autonomy and reinforced absorption.

O — Words Starting with O in Cloth Diapers

Ammonia smell

Characteristic odor that can appear when urine degrades in poorly washed or soiled fibers.

Cloth diaper smell

Abnormal odor that can signal a problem with washing, storage, or buildup.

OEKO-TEX

Textile certification guaranteeing the absence of harmful substances for health.

Used

The second-hand market also concerns cloth diapers, provided their condition and care are checked.

P — Words Starting with P in Cloth Diapers

Percarbonate

Bleaching agent releasing active oxygen and sometimes used in certain care routines.

Folding

Technique for shaping a flat diaper or textile absorbent.

Pocket

Inner space of a pocket diaper into which the insert is slipped.

Snaps

Closing system used on some adjustable cloth diapers.

PUL

Breathable waterproof fabric used for cloth diapers, covers, and shells.

R — Words Starting by R in Cloth Diapers

Reusable

Product designed to be washed and used multiple times.

Rinse

Machine cycle used to remove some residues before or after the main wash.

Washing routine

Precise sequence of cycles to properly clean cloth diapers.

👉 Calculator: calculate your routine

Stock rotation

Organization of the number of diapers available to cover changes between two washes.

S — Words Starting with S in Cloth Diapers

Wet bag

Accessory used to transport or store soiled cloth diapers.

Drying

Step to remove moisture from diapers after washing.

Stool

Solid waste that the diaper must retain in addition to urine.

Storage

Way to store dirty diapers before machine washing.

Cover

Waterproof protection used with a non-waterproof absorbent.

T — Words Starting with T in Cloth Diapers

AIO (All-in-One)

All-in-one system where the absorbent is sewn into the diaper.

AI2 (All-in-Two)

System composed of a waterproof cover and a removable insert.

AI3 (All-in-Three)

System using a removable shell to accommodate the absorbent insert.

Technical textile

Material developed to offer precise properties such as waterproofing or a stay-dry effect.

V — Words Starting with V in Cloth Diapers

Disposable liner

Single-use sheet placed in the diaper to facilitate the cleaning of stools.

👉 See accessories: cloth diaper accessories

Washable liner

Reusable version of the protective liner placed in the diaper.

Urinary volume

Quantity of urine produced by the baby, which influences absorption needs.

Essential Guides for Using Cloth Diapers

• Choosing your cloth diapers
• Understanding absorbent inserts
• Understanding and preventing leaks
• Calculating your washing routine
• Performing a stripping diagnosis
• See useful accessories

FAQ – Cloth Diaper Vocabulary