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PUL stands for Polyurethane Laminate. Just like when you laminate a piece of paper or an identification card to protect it, PUL is applied to some cloth diapers to make them waterproof...and of course waterproofing is what allows us to cloth diaper successfully without leaks! TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane which acts in a similar way as PUL, but with a slightly different manufacturing and application process. Specifically in regards to cloth diapers, PUL and TPU be found in:
- Covers
- Pocket Diapers
- All in One's (AIO)
- All in Two's (AI2)
- All in Three's (AI3)
PUL is a chemical that is laminated onto fabrics such as polyester or cotton forming a flexible waterproof layer. PUL is said to be laminated using solvents in a chemical bonding process.
Examples of PUL Diaper Brands
Applecheeks
Best Bottoms
BumGenius
Econobum
Flip
Fuzzibunz
Gen-Y Covers
Happy Heinys
Thirsties
Tots Bots
ZookiesCrafts
Benefits to using cloth diapers with a PUL outer layer:
- Durable, stands up to many washes
- Waterproof material to keep the wetness inside the diaper
- Flexible so it can easily be applied to fabrics
- Comfortable for the baby
- Non-biodegradable (as it is a form of plastic)
- It is synthetic (man made) and some babies may have a sensitivity to synthetic materials.
- Not as breathable as other all natural fiber alternatives (wool, fleece)
- Can delaminate if exposed to extremely hot temperatures
What's the Deal with TPU?
TPU is very similar to PUL. TPU is bonded to cotton or polyester using a heat bonding lamination process which is said to be more environmentally friendly. During the lamination process, solvents are not used, and thus TPU is said to be exposed to fewer harmful chemicals.
Examples of TPU Diaper Brands
Diaper Rite
Gro Via
Kawaii
Oh Katy
Ruparooz
Benefits to using cloth diapers with a TPU outer layer:
- Said to be more environmentally friendly (biodegradable)
- Has a softer feel to it
- More flexible and less stiff than PUL
- Said to be less durable (than PUL)
- More prone to delamination and cracks with higher temperatures
- It is synthetic (man made) and some babies may have a sensitivity to synthetic materials.
- Not as breathable as other all natural fiber alternatives (wool, fleece)
What kind of layer are your diapers laminated with?
Do you prefer all natural barriers such as wool or fleece to PUL or TPU?
Great article! I'd been wondering what the difference was, so thanks for spelling it out so clearly! I had no idea that I had so many TPU diapers-- somehow I assumed they were all PUL.
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