If you use fitteds, prefolds, or flats as cloth diapers, or need a better overnight cloth diaper solution, then you should seriously consider wool diaper covers. Many moms swear by wool diaper covers, especially for overnight diapering, and I’m proudly one of them!
Whether you’re new to cloth diapering or a seasoned advocate, you may have wondered “isn’t there something better than plastic for my baby’s skin?” I was wondering this too, and after countless hours of research, I am utterly convinced that this is the best, most natural way to diaper our babies. I hope that after reading, you’ll have the confidence to use wool diaper covers too!
On this page… (JUMP TO)
- What’s great about wool diaper covers (aka wool soakers)
- Things you may not know about wool diaper covers
- How to use wool diaper covers
- What are the best wool diaper covers?
- How we chose our best
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What are the types of wool used in diaper covers
- What is felting?
- How many wool diaper covers do I need?
- What should I pair with my wool cover for overnight use?
- How often should I wash wool diaper covers?
- How to wash a wool diaper cover?
- How often should I lanolize my wool diaper covers?
- Which wool wash is best for wool diaper covers?
- What are the cons of wool diaper covers?
- Are wool diaper covers too hot for summer?
- Is wool itchy?
- Why is my wool leaking?
Been cloth diapering, or are you about to start and know that you want a more natural, comfortable, or leak-proof solution? Our top picks for wool diaper covers include (you can read more about each below):
- Best for newborns: Babee Greens Classic Wool Cover
- Best nighttime: Disana Wool Pull-on Cover
- Best day-time: Puppi Merino Wool Diaper Cover
- Best low maintenance: Bumby Wool Cover
- Best machine washable: Truly Charis Heavyweight Wool Soaker
- OR Jump to wool diaper cover FAQs below
If you’re confused or undecided about whether cloth diapering is right for your family, read our cloth diapers for beginners post to help you understand everything you need to know to get started and make a decision.
What’s great about wool diaper covers (aka wool soakers)
Also known as wool soakers, they are incredibly soft and gentle for sensitive skin while remaining resilient. They are known to help babies with eczema around the diaper area. Most wool covers have no pinching elastics, so no more pink marks on your little one’s legs.
A completely natural option, a wool diaper cover is a fantastic alternative to synthetic covers. Wool is highly breathable and temperature-regulating. It allows sweat and heat to escape, keeping a person comfortable in both hot and cold temperatures.
What makes them especially special is that they wick moisture away from the skin while being able to absorb up to a third of its weight in water! The superior absorption means far fewer rashes and redness for sensitive bottoms.
Wool diaper covers are naturally antibacterial and odor resistant, allowing them to be washed much less often than other synthetic materials (every 3-4 weeks unless soiled). This means you need less of them than synthetic covers.
Once they are prepped and ready for use, you will have no leaks with one of these top-notch wool diaper covers and a good overnight cloth diaper. Wool can seem intimidating, but once you try it you are guaranteed to fall in love.
Things you may not know about wool diaper covers
Wool diaper covers are reusable until they feel cold and damp. Once this happens, you just let them air dry and all scents and moisture will disappear! If a cover becomes soiled, you can spot-clean it. A wash is only necessary when the cover stops working or stays smelly after air drying.
Wool is not itchy. Synthetic blends tend to be itchy, but 100% wool is not. It’s soft and so comfortable!
Wool is lanolized to restore wool’s natural properties. Without lanolin, wool would not provide the amazing benefits of being odor-resistant, antibacterial, and water-resistant. Lanolizing or washing wool diaper covers is quick and easy.
Handwashing is best. Some wool diaper covers or pants can be machine washed, but hand washing provides durability. Handwashing is a very simple process that requires very little labor.
Wool both repels and absorbs moisture. A wool diaper cover is water resistant, yet when the diaper becomes fully saturated at night and the liquid has nowhere left to go, the wool will absorb. At night the wool will become damp instead of the bed sheets.
How to use wool diaper covers
Wool diaper covers are to be used over a flat, prefold, insert, or fitted cloth diaper as with any diaper cover. Wool covers can be reused multiple times in a row until the wool feels cool or damp. When this happens, it does not need to be washed. A simple drying in the open air is sufficient to get the cover hygienically clean again, thanks to the natural “self-cleaning” of wool.
If the wool becomes soiled you can spot-clean, but if the cover stops absorbing as well or remains smelly while dry, it is time to wash and lanolize the wool cover.
It’s really not all that different from cloth diapering with synthetic covers, but with so many more benefits.
Find more answers to your questions about wool diaper covers in the FAQs below!
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What are the best wool diaper covers?
Best for newborns:
Babee Greens Classic Wool Cover
PRICE: $40 USD (at time of posting)
MATERIAL: Made of Oeko Tex 100 certified interlock merino wool. The wings and snaps are reinforced with hidden 100% cotton between the two layers of wool. Latex-free elastic is sewn on the interior of leg openings and waist to avoid any allergic reactions.
SHIPPING: International shipping available, with free shipping in the USA.
SIZING: True to size, except Medium which runs more like 12-22 lbs
CONSIDER: Hand-wash and air-dry only.
Why we love it
Easier to put on
This Babee Greens wool cover has reinforced side snaps. There is no need to pull it on and off like other wool diaper covers, so taking the cover on and off is a breeze.
Trim fit but absorbent
This cover is trim, making it excellent for daytime use while still working well for overnight use.
Best out-of-the-box fit for newborns
These covers in size “small” are an excellent choice for newborns not only because of the easy-to-use snaps but because of the several snap adjustments at the leg and waist for a more custom fit.
Multiple color options
This cover can be purchased in a variety of beautiful colors.
Handmade in the USA.
Each cover is hand cut and hand sewn by an impressive team of local seamstresses in North Carolina, USA.
Best nighttime wool diaper cover:
Disana Wool Pull-On Cover
PRICE: $39 USD (at time of posting)
MATERIAL: 100% Soft 2-layer double knit Demeter GOTS certified organic Merino virgin wool.
SHIPPING: International shipping available, with free shipping on orders over $49 in the USA.
SIZING: Sizing fits slightly differently from the listed sizes. Review the linked website for best-fit recommendations.
CONSIDER: Hand-wash and air-dry only. Disana wool covers may be tight in the legs of extremely chubby babies so you may need to size up.
Why we love it
Great for potty learning
This pull-on cover can also be used as potty training shorts.
Multiple color options
Plenty of beautiful colors to choose from.
Bulkier, but extra absorbent
These have more of a bulkier fit, making them an excellent overnight option for heavy wetters. You may need to size up on baby pants to account for the added bulkiness.
Handmade in Germany
Disana is a wonderful family business located in Germany, dedicated to organic wool and cotton long before “organic” became a “thing”
Best day-time wool diaper cover:
Puppi Merino Wool Diaper Cover
PRICE: $30 USD (at time of posting)
MATERIAL: 100% merino wool, exclusive of trim. These diaper covers use 100% biodegradable elastics made of organic cotton and natural rubber. They are GOTS certified.
SHIPPING: International shipping available, with free shipping on orders over $49 in the USA.
SIZING: Generally true to size, but Newborn and Mini sizes tend to run a little smaller.
CONSIDER: Need to be washed and lanolized before first use. Very trim with narrower bottoms
Why we love it
Simple to put on
Snaps make taking this cover on and off very quick and easy.
Modern features of an all-in-two diaper.
These offer the versatility of snaps and the features of an all-in-two diaper, but are made of wool!
Trim fitting diaper
The trimmest wool covers and best suited for daytime use. If you want to try and use this cover overnight, you will want to size up to OS PLUS to offer more width and room for the extra stuffing.
Multiple colors and color combinations are available
There are several beautiful colors and prints to choose from, making this the most stylish option.
Handmade in Poland
Not only are these handmade in Poland, but their wool is also produced in Poland.
Best low-maintenance wool diaper cover:
Bumby Wool Cover
PRICE: $60 USD (at time of posting)
MATERIAL: 95% merino wool blended with 5% lycra. All fabrics are Standard 100 OEKO-TEX certified and milled in the USA.
SHIPPING: International shipping available, with free shipping on orders over $129 in Canada.
SIZING: True to size, though waist and thigh measurements should be smaller than those of your child for best fit.
Why we love it
Custom, beautiful patterns
You choose the waist, cuffs, and body colors along with the fit, style, & accents.
Trim and functional
Trim and functional, great for the heavy wetter for under clothing or on its own.
Machine washable
You can machine wash it on a gentle cycle with cold water and lay it flat to dry. Some families use the same detergent as for other clothing!
A tool for potty training
Try them for potty learning over underwear.
Hand-crafted in Canada
Bumby is made and designed in Canada by a trio of moms.
Best machine washable wool diaper cover:
Truly Charis Heavyweight Wool Soaker
PRICE: $60 USD (at time of posting)
MATERIAL: 95% merino wool/5% spandex interlock fabric that has been knit in the US, specifically for them. GOTS Certified Organic material.
SHIPPING: International shipping available, with free shipping in the USA.
SIZING: True to size and can be custom ordered to exact measurements.
CONSIDER: They will arrive unwashed and are not lanolized upon shipping. Maximum absorbency won’t be reached until approximately 10 or more wash/dry cycles.
Why we love it
Multiple color options
The individually hand-dyed diaper covers come in 3 rich, vibrant colors.
Customizable
Truly Charis wool diaper covers are made to order, therefore they can be customized to your baby’s measurements.
Machine washable
These covers can uniquely be machine washed on a gentle or wool cycle before laying flat to dry.
Great for potty training
This pull-on cover can also be used as potty training shorts.
Start to finish American-made
A small family-owned company manufacturing in the US that believes in supporting the few remaining textile manufacturers left in the United States.
How we chose our best
We asked families successfully cloth diapering with wool diaper covers about the wool covers they love the most and why. Then, we took the most popular wool diaper covers they shared with us and applied our research and insight, such as the quality of the wool. We think you and your sweet baby will love at least one of these diapers, too!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are the types of wool used in diaper covers?
There are two primary types of wool on the market: Knit wool and interlock wool.
Interlock wool is a felted style of wool where you do not see the stitching of the wool as easily but instead a smoother surface to the wool. This style can be easier to care for as it’s less likely to snag or pull.
Knit wool covers are often hand-made and have a larger knit style to them that is usually 2 layers. These can become visibly felted in areas with lots of friction and must always be hand-washed.
Which is best? My preference is interlock wool but any kind of wool that you can afford and fits your baby comfortably is an excellent option.
What is felting?
Felting is when the fibers begin to blend and tighten together from friction. It is generally not good as you lose elasticity with it, but it does improve a wool cover’s leak protection. Felting happens naturally over time with wear but some parents will choose to hand-felt the wet zone of a diaper cover to quickly make it more leakproof.
It’s not recommended to hand-felt anywhere but the wet zone. Hand-felting is completely optional and not necessary.
How many wool diaper covers do I need?
Most parents find that 4-5 wool diaper covers work best for newborns, 3-4 for infants, and 2-3 for babies or toddlers who are eating solid foods.
For the cloth diapers themselves, you should aim for roughly 24 diapers to work along with your wool diaper covers. Exactly how many cloth diapers and covers you need will vary by your baby’s age, laundry habits, and other factors.
What should I pair with my wool cover for overnight use?
Some babies will do well overnight simply using a prefold, flat, insert, or fitted with their wool cover.
For especially heavy wetters, use your prefold, flat, or fitted with an added natural-fiber doubler or two inside your wool diaper cover to protect against nighttime leaks. Using natural fibers like cotton or hemp will help absorb far more moisture and reduce rashes when compared to synthetic materials like microfibre.
I’ve written a complete guide to cloth diaper inserts here where you can compare all the various options for inserts and learn how to layer them. Go check it out! 🙂
How often should I wash wool diaper covers?
Wool diaper covers last approximately 3-4 weeks before needing to be washed.
How to wash a wool diaper cover?
It is much easier to clean and care for than it may seem. You can spot clean, machine wash (depending on the cover), and most often, handwash wool diaper covers. You should always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your wool diaper cover, but there are many commonalities across covers which is why I wrote an article on caring for wool diaper covers.
RELATED: How to properly lanolize, wash and care for your wool diaper covers.
How often should I lanolize my wool diaper covers?
If you’re using a wool wash with lanolin, you do not need to lanolize very often, but many families still lanolize their covers every 3-4 washes because it can keep the wool covers working even better.
Generally, you should lanolize your wool diaper cover once all the lanolin is used up and the cover no longer repels moisture. You can test this by sprinkling some water onto your wool diaper cover and seeing if it beads. If water doesn’t bead on the top of the cover or it absorbs in quickly, it’s time to add that waterproofing lanolin back.
Which wool wash is best for wool diaper covers?
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Any gentle wool wash with lanolin is great for the ongoing care of wool diaper covers. Avoid commercial wool detergents such as Woolite. You can also use gentle soaps without lanolin like ivory bar soap, baby shampoo, Dr. Bronners, or olive oil bar soap. See our top lanolin wash recommendations for wool.
What are the cons of wool diaper covers?
Many fear the required handwashing and lanolizing of wool diaper covers, but it’s actually a very simple process that takes only a few minutes every month or so! The only true con when using a wool diaper cover is the long drying time of up to 24 hours.
Are wool diaper covers too hot for summer?
Wool is designed to keep an outside-living animal dry in various temperatures and rainy climates, so it’s a great all-season fiber for cloth diapering. It will keep a person comfortable no matter the season because it regulates the temperature of the body. Also, wool covers are quite light and very breathable, letting way more air through to the skin than PULs and other synthetic materials.
Is wool itchy?
Some commercial wool blends can sometimes feel a little itchy to those with sensitive skin, but lanolized, high-quality 100% wools do not feel itchy.
Why is my wool leaking?
A leaking cover would result in clear, visibly soaked sheets and specific wet patches on clothing.
If you’re experiencing leaks with your wool diaper covers, there are several reasons why it could be happening. You may need to lanolize your wool, adjust your absorbency layers, adjust the wool cover’s size, or simply change your baby more often.
A damp or “wet-feeling” diaper cover doesn’t automatically equal wet sheets or clothing. Feeling some cool dampness with wool diaper covers is to be expected, it only means that it’s time to swap diaper covers. The good news is that all that dampness is outside of the diaper and repelled from the baby’s skin, causing far fewer rashes and redness.
If you have purchased a new unlanolized wool cover, it’s not uncommon to have to lanolize 2-3 times before first use.
Sounds like such great options!