Q. Are there different types of PUL?

A. Laminated fabric means that the fabric has had a PUL (polyeurethane) layer applied to the fabric under heat and pressure. If it is a separate layer, it should be listed as a hidden PUL layer, this is almost always a very thin polyester fabric with the PUL layer attached. Some makers (mostly American, but some NZ) use the film without any polyester backing as a hidden layer. So you may look inside those nappies and see what looks like a de-laminated nappy.

There are also two types of PUL, ones that are applied using the molten state of the PU to bond in the hole in the weave of the fabric and the other has a very strong textile adhesive. The one with adhesive is far more problematic and temperature sensitive.


Q. Why do you recommend to only warm wash the shells of my nappies?
A. All PUL is heat sensitive, meaning that it has been applied under heat and pressure and can easily be removed with a too higher temperature. Generally it is laminated (melting point) at about 130-140 degrees celcius, BUT the general softening point for MOST pul's is between 60-80 degrees. So what can happen, if you wash your nappies at 60 degrees and it happens to get pulled in the washing action those two forces can be enough to shear the laminate away from the fabric. Minky is particularly susceptible to this as it is an unanchored pile fabric. With cotton PUL if the laminate hasn't gotten to the right temperature then they also can come away quite easily. The Laminate really needs to be molten and kinda squish into the holes in the weave of the fabric to be correctly applied. BUT if it is too hot then when it cools it is stiff and sounds crackly. Often this crackly stiffness will go away in the first wash but not always.

So in short hot washing does affect PUL.If your nappy doesn't delaminate then it has more to do with luck than anything else!


Q. Will hot washing magically "repair" holes in PUL?
A. This is a common misconception. For PUL to get hot enough to repair holes it needs to get molten and if you are getting your PUL to that temerature, it is more than likely to detach from the fabric before it preforms restorative surgery on it's self!