Reiff · Organic Merino Wool Diaper Cover
Overnight Merino Wool Diaper Cover for Babies
100% organic merino wool, GOTS certified, with natural breathability and temperature regulation. Designed for daytime and overnight cloth diaper use, from newborn through toddler.
About Reiff
A Heritage of Organic Textiles
Reiff has been hand-knitting and processing organic textiles since 1939, when founder Adolf Reiff established the company in Göttingen, Germany with a single knitting machine. Today, Reiff operates as a fully processing flat-knit factory—they design, knit, and finish every piece in-house at their facility in Weiherststraße. The company pioneered washable organic wool nappies in the 1970s and has remained committed to ecological textiles ever since. Every product is made entirely in Germany or within a 50 km radius of their premises, with GOTS and kbT certifications at every step of the production chain.
Purpose & Use
Flexible Protection for Cloth Diapering
The Reiff Overnight cover works as both a daytime and nighttime wool diaper cover, designed to pair with prefolded, fitted, or flat cloth diapers. Unlike synthetic covers, organic merino wool naturally regulates moisture and temperature, keeping your baby comfortable whether the cover is dry or slightly damp. For overnight use, pair it with EcoAble fitted cloth diapers to achieve a heavy-duty setup. The stretchy waistband and leg cuffs adjust to fit your baby from newborn through the early toddler years.
This is not a product for parents who prefer to wash wool frequently or avoid lanolizing. Wool covers require a lanolizing process before first use and periodic re-lanolizing to maintain waterproofing. However, the payoff is significant: wool covers require less frequent washing than synthetic alternatives, air-dry quickly when damp, and can be reused without full laundering—cutting laundry in half over your diapering years.
Fiber & Certifications
100% Organic, Fully Certified
Fiber Composition
100% organic merino wool. The merino sheep are raised according to kbT (controlled organic livestock farming) standards in South America (Patagonia), then the raw wool is shipped to Germany for processing, spinning, dyeing, and knitting.
GOTS Certification
Global Organic Textile Standard. Covers both the organic fiber farming and the entire production chain—including all dyes, finishes, and chemical treatments. Every Reiff piece meets GOTS standards from sheep to finished garment.
kbT Organic Livestock
Kontrolliert Biologische Tierhaltung means the merino sheep are raised under strict animal welfare and organic farming standards. The wool is mulesing-free, a critical practice in certified organic wool production.
Made in Germany
Designed, knitted, and finished entirely at Reiff's facility in Germany. Raw materials are processed, dyed, and constructed within a 50 km radius, ensuring transparency and minimal environmental impact.
Why Merino Wool
Natural Performance
Temperature Regulation
Merino wool naturally adjusts to your baby's body temperature, keeping them warm when cool and cool when warm. This temperature-balancing property continues even when the wool is slightly damp.
Moisture Absorption
Merino wool absorbs moisture without feeling wet, wicking dampness away from skin. The lanolin (natural oils) in the wool creates a water-resistant barrier that prevents saturation, allowing the cover to be worn longer between washes.
Odor Resistance
Wool is naturally bacteria-resistant and resists odor development. Your baby's diaper cover can be air-dried and reused multiple times before requiring a full wash, reducing laundry significantly.
Breathability
Unlike plastic or synthetic covers, knitted merino wool breathes fully, allowing air circulation. This reduces diaper rash risk and keeps your baby comfortable through the night.
Critical: Lanolizing Required Before Use
Wool covers must be lanolized before first use to create a waterproof barrier. Lanolin is the natural oil present in sheep's wool; lanolizing re-introduces this protective layer to the knitted fabric. You'll need a wool wash with lanolin (such as Eucalan Delicate Wash with Lanolin) and warm water. The process takes 20–30 minutes. Periodic re-lanolizing extends the cover's waterproofing life. Without lanolizing, the cover will not provide adequate waterproofing for overnight use.
Fit Guide
Size by Baby's Height
European sizing is based on your baby's full height in centimeters, not weight. Measure from the top of your baby's head to their toes while standing (or lying flat for newborns). Suggested ages are approximate and may vary significantly depending on your baby's individual growth pattern.
| Size |
Height (cm) |
Age Range |
| EU 50–56 |
50–56 cm |
0–3 months |
| EU 62–68 |
62–68 cm |
3–6 months |
| EU 74–80 |
74–80 cm |
6–12 months |
| EU 86–92 |
86–92 cm |
1–2 years |
| EU 98–104 |
98–104 cm |
2–3 years |
| EU 110–116 |
110–116 cm |
3–5 years |
Fit Note: The stretchy waistband and leg cuffs adjust for a snug fit without restricting movement. European sizing runs true to size but slightly slim; if your baby is at the upper end of an age range or tall for their age, measure carefully before sizing up.
Reality Check
Who This Works For & What It Requires
Best For
Parents committed to reducing laundry and waste during cloth diapering. Families with babies who have sensitive skin and tolerate wool well. Those who don't mind the lanolizing process and prefer fewer, longer-wearing diaper covers. Parents who see wool care as a simple routine once learned.
Trade-Offs
Lanolizing is non-negotiable—without it, the cover won't waterproof adequately. A small percentage of babies react to wool, even fine merino; start with a wool/silk blend if your baby has reacted to wool before. Requires hand or delicate machine washing in cool water with specific wool detergent. Not a grab-and-go product.
Investment Case
A high-quality wool cover lasts through multiple children and years of daily use. The reduced laundry (you can often reuse a damp cover 4–5 times before washing) saves water and energy significantly. GOTS and kbT certifications mean every dollar supports truly sustainable textile production. Price reflects German manufacturing and organic fiber sourcing.
Maintenance
How to Care for Wool Covers
Hand wash or delicate cycle
Cold water only
Wool-specific detergent
Lay flat to dry
No tumble drying
Periodic re-lanolizing
Before First Use: Lanolize your cover by soaking it in warm water (not hot) with wool wash containing lanolin. Gently work the lanolin into the fibers without agitation. Let soak for 20–30 minutes, then rinse lightly in lukewarm water. Gently squeeze out excess water (never wring) and lay flat to air dry completely.
Spot Cleaning & Air Drying: Most stains can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth while the cover is dry. Damp covers can be air-dried and reused 3–5 times before requiring a full wash. Airing between uses is often enough; wool naturally resists odor and rarely needs frequent washing.
Full Washing: Hand wash in cool water with a gentle ecological wool detergent (such as Eucalan or Sonett wool wash), or use your machine's wool/delicate cycle with cold water and minimal spin. Do not soak for more than 5 minutes. Press water out gently—do not wring or agitate. Rinse thoroughly in cool water. Lay flat to reshape and air dry away from direct heat or sunlight.
Re-Lanolizing: Over time, the wool's lanolin depletes and waterproofing decreases. When you notice the cover absorbing moisture more quickly than usual, re-lanolize using the same process as before. Most covers need re-lanolizing every 4–6 months with regular use.
What Not to Do: Never use hot water, bleach, fabric softener, or tumble dry. These will damage the wool and felt the fibers. Do not dry-clean. Avoid exposing the cover to high heat.
Questions
Frequently Asked
Will this wool cover irritate my baby's sensitive skin?
Fine merino wool at 17–19 microns is soft enough for most babies and sensitive skin. However, a small percentage of people are genuinely sensitive to wool fiber. If your baby has reacted to wool clothing or products before, start cautiously. Some parents find that wearing the cover over a base layer (like a cotton diaper or fleece diaper cover first) during the day, then switching to direct wool contact at night, allows them to test tolerance gradually. A wool/silk blend cover is the gentlest option if you're concerned about sensitivity.
How often do I need to wash the cover?
One of wool's major advantages is low-maintenance care. A damp cover can be air-dried and reused 3–5 times before requiring a full wash. Most parents wash once weekly. Because wool resists odor naturally, you don't need to wash after every use. This saves significant water, energy, and wear on the fabric compared to synthetic covers.
What is lanolizing and why is it required?
Lanolin is the natural oil present in sheep's wool. Wool covers must be lanolized before first use to create a waterproof barrier. Lanolizing involves soaking the cover in warm water with lanolin-enriched wool wash for 20–30 minutes, then air-drying. This restores the protective oils and makes the wool water-resistant. Without lanolizing, the cover will not provide adequate waterproofing for overnight use. Re-lanolize every 4–6 months as the lanolin naturally depletes.
Can I use this cover over any diaper, or does it need to be used with a specific one?
The Reiff cover works with prefolded, fitted, or flat cloth diapers. For daytime use, a prefolded diaper often works well. For overnight use, pair the cover with a fitted cloth diaper (such as an EcoAble fitted) to achieve reliable overnight protection. The cover's stretchy waistband and leg cuffs adjust to fit various diaper thicknesses, though a well-fitting diaper beneath ensures the best leak protection.
Is this cover suitable for overnight use only, or can I use it during the day too?
The Reiff Overnight cover is designed for both daytime and overnight use. Many parents use it primarily for nighttime because the reduced laundry makes it economical for longer wears. During the day, some use it continuously, while others switch to a more frequent-wash synthetic cover. The choice depends on your preference and how much laundry you're willing to manage.
How long will a wool cover last?
A high-quality wool cover, properly cared for, lasts through multiple children and often 5+ years of daily use. The key is washing gently, avoiding hot water and tumble drying, and re-lanolizing periodically. Many parents pass their wool covers to younger siblings or other families, and they continue to perform well. This durability makes the higher upfront cost economical over time, especially if you're diapering multiple children.
Why does this cover cost more than synthetic alternatives?
The price reflects several factors: GOTS and kbT certifications (the most rigorous organic standards), 100% organic merino fiber sourced from Patagonia, and entirely German manufacturing. Reiff designs, knits, and finishes every cover in-house, with no outsourcing. This transparency and craftsmanship cost more than mass-produced synthetic covers, but support a company that has prioritized ecological textiles for 80+ years. Over the multi-year life of the product, the cost-per-use and waste-reduction benefits offset the initial investment.
