Glossary

This list gives you definitions and more information on some of the terms used here on the site. Click the page name to go to the page giving more information on that topic. The first lines of that page is included under the page name.

Pad Styles

AIO
AIO stands for All-In-One, the simplest cloth pad design. AIO pads are one piece without any inserts or liners, so in this respect they resemble a disposable pad. Because all the layers are sewn…

Base + Liner
A Base and Liner ("base+ insert", "insert on top") pad has a base pad that wraps around the underwear and interchangeable liners/inserts that can be changed without changing the base.

Belted Pad
Some pads don't even require underwear to use, or can be used with any underwear style; the classic belted pad still exists.

Contoured Top
Some pads have an hourglass-shaped wingless top section that is sewn to a winged base to form an AIO pad/pantyliner

Flared Back
Some pads have a wider more flared back section, so that the pad has more coverage at the back for catching flow that isn't down the center of the pad. Useful for night use or when you will be…

Fold-Up
Some pads have a section that is folded up to create the pad, giving several layers of absorbency while allowing the pad to be unfolded for easy cleaning and faster drying. Pad image from…

Pantyliner
This design (generally an aio) consists of only a few layers of absorbent fabric and is intended for light days (also called "spotting"), everyday use (for discharge), after sexual intercourse (for…

Pocket + Insert
A Pocket + Insert (also known as an "Envelope" or "Pocket") Style pad has a base pad that has a one piece top section, with a back that is made from 2 halves with an opening into which a variable…

Pointed Wings
There are many designs a pad can have, some having rounded ends of the wing and some coming to a more pointed end. Pointed wings decrease the bulk in the back of the pad without fear of the pad…

Thong
Cloth pantyliners can be used with "thong", "G-string", or other backless styles of underwear if they are a particular shape. These can be winged or not, but are normally a triangular shape with…

Wingless
A wingless pad lacks the bulk of wings and stays in place by the backing material's friction with your underwear, and the use of snug fitting underwear. Wingless pads can be useful for activities…


Fabrics used

Bamboo
Bamboo fabric is known for its absorbency, anti-bacterial properties, and softness. It is available in many luxurious weaves including velour, fleece, terry and jersey. It is reportedly much more…

Batting
Cotton Batting (also known as "wadding") is used as the absorbent core in some pads. It is also used in the cushions in furniture, quilting and other craft projects.

Cotton
Cotton fabrics are the most inexpensive material used in pads. There are many different types of cotton fabrics used in cloth pads. Fleece - commonly used as the absorbent core or top…

Flannel/Flannelette
Flannelette (UK) or flannel (USA), is a loose cotton weave fabric, available in a myriad of prints and colors, making it ideal for the outer part of pads. Its is also absorbent, so it can be used…

Fleece
Fleece can be a confusing term as it can be applied to several fabrics. It refers to a soft and thick fabric with a deep pile. Synthetic polyester fleece polarfleece or microfleece is often used…

Hemp
Hemp fabrics are known largely for their anti-bacterial properties and absorbency. Hemp is available in: velour - used as a top layer against the skin fleece or terry - used as the absorbency…

Jersey
Jersey is the name for a knit fabric, as you find used in t-shirts and children's lightweight jumpsuits/rompers. It is soft and slightly stretchy, though not as absorbent as a…

Microfiber
Microfiber is a synthetic material made from a blend of 80% polyester and 20% polyamide. It is usually in the form of a very tight looped terry fabric. It is much more absorbent than cotton, hemp…

Nylon
Nylon is sometimes used in cloth pads as a water-resistant (leak-resistant) layer. This is not as effective as a waterproof fabric and some women find this is not leak-proof enough for them.

Organic
Organic fabrics are grown naturally without the use of pesticides. A certified organic fabric is one that has been manufactured according to strict guidelines to ensure that it is as it claims to…

PUL
PUL stands for PolyUrethane Laminate, and refers to fabrics (generally cotton or polyester) that have had a thin layer of "plastic" bonded to one side. This creates a waterproof fabric that is…

Reclaimed
"Reclaimed" fabric is a nicer way to say "second hand". It refers to fabric that has been obtained from a used source. Used sheets (terry), t-shirts (jersey), sheets (flannel) etc. are some…

Ribbon
Satin ribbon is often used in place of rick rack as the bands that hold liners in place on a base-liner style pad. It will not It can shrink and curl up like rick rack, but it may have a shorter…

Rick Rack
Rick Rack is something you're sure to know, even if you don't know it's name. Its a wavy edged trim, used on all manner of clothing/craft and other things. In cloth pad use it's often found as the…

Stay Dry
A "stay dry" layer refers to the top of a cloth pad that is made from a synthetic fabric suedecloth, fleece, velour or other fabric, which does not hold moisture and instead allows it to wick…

Suedecloth
Suedecloth is a 100% polyestser fabric that is made to resemble real leather suede. It can be used on the top or backing of cloth pads either as a stay dry layer or as a non-slip backing. Suede…

Terry
Terry is an absorbent woven material made of loops of cotton, bamboo, or hemp. Commonly used in towels, it makes an absorbent core layer in pads. Hemp "french" terry - You can see how this terry…

Velour
Velour fabric is a combination between the softness of velvet and the versatility of a knit. It is often used as a top layer because it is soft and in a natural velour, absorbent. Commonly…

Waterproof Materials
The most common waterproof material used in pads is thin PUL. PUL is usually the last layer in the pad or is separated from the skin by one layer of another fabric such as jersey, cotton or…

Water-Resistant Materials
There are many alternatives for water-resistant materials. Water-resistance means that the fabric will prevent some liquid or moisture from travelling through, but will often work only to a certain…

Wool
Wool backing is water resistant because wool will absorb several times its weight in water before feeling wet. Wool can be lanolised to repel liquid, but this could not be done in an aio style pad,…


Other terms

Channel
Channel lines or "quilting" are lines of stitching that run along the top surface of the pad. This serves a few purposes, depending on how the pad is made. It can be done to secure the core of…

Custom Order
a "Custom Order" or "Custom Slot" normally refers to a product in an online store that has not been made yet. It will be custom made to suit the customer (Often from a range of preset options)….

Instock
"Instock" refers to cloth pads (or other items) that are already made and available for sale. Like products on a shelf in a shop - you can buy them straight away. This is a opposed to custom…

Metal Snaps
Metal snaps ("poppers", "press studs") are available at most fabric shops, so are a popular choice for use on cloth pads. Because there is no need for an expensive snap press machine (unlike that…

Plastic Snaps
Plastic snaps ("poppers"), like metal snaps come in a wide range of styles. Plastic snaps never rust and are completely hypo-allergenic. Some plastic snaps are sold as a sew-on style found in most…

Post Partum
Post partum bleeding (Lochia) is the name for the blood loss following the birth of a child. It is normally a very heavy flow for the first hours, getting lighter over the following days to weeks….

Serged/Overlocked Edges
When fabric is sewn together with a stitch that does a straight stitch and a stitch binding over the edges of the fabric, this is called "overlocking" or "serging" (European/American terms), and…

Soaking Pots
A common way to wash cloth pads is to place them in a container of water once used, and then wash them (by hand or machine). These soaking containers are referred to as a "soaking pot". A special…

Sizes
For the sake of standardization, sizes here will be defined on a S/M/L scale lengths: XS (smaller than 7in or 17cm) S (7-9in 18-23cm) M (9-11in or 23-28cm) L (11-13in or 28-33cm) XL…

Topstitched
Turned and Topstitched (also referred to as "T&T") edges refer to a method where the pad is sewn together so that the "good" sides of the fabric are inside the pad, which is then turned out…

WAHM
Many pad brands are businesses operated by a Work-At-Home-Mother, which is where this term comes from. This can vary between someone sewing up a few pads to occasionally sell on ebay or etsy to…

Wetbag
A wetbag is a special bag for holding soiled cloth pads while out of the home. It is also a term used for the same/similar bag used for carrying cloth nappies/diapers, which is presumably where…

Velcro
Velcro is a brand name (though applied by most people to all products of this type) of a "Hook & Loop" closure system, that consists of one piece with small plastic "hook" type loops, and one…

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