There are two sides to child proofing that every parent experiences. Your first task is to protect your young one from all of the items in the home that may harm them. However, as your baby becomes a toddler and gains more physical abilities and a sense of independence, you may find yourself protecting your home from the whirlwind that has replaced your sweet little angel. One of the main concerns for many parents are constant spills and urination that can stain furniture, and the best way to prevent permanent damage is by protecting your furniture through various waterproofing techniques.
If you are looking for ways to protect your furniture from spills and potty-training accidents, you should go to a fabric store for suggestions or familiarize yourself with PUL.
What is PUL?
PUL stands for polyurethane laminate. It is group of fabrics that have been laminated on one side with a waterproof coating. It was initially developed for use in medical settings but has become extremely popular among parents that use cloth diapers. This is because it is breathable but waterproof, making it an excellent fabric to use against a baby's sensitive skin.
Alternative Uses for PUL
While you will find most cloth diapers and diaper covers are made from PUL, you can also purchase PUL fabric by the yard for a variety of other uses, and there are many areas of your home that can benefit by waterproofing with PUL.
Beginning in the nursery, you may want to make bottom sheets for your baby's crib or toddler's bed from PUL. This allows you to have stylish bedding without having to worry about protective rubber mats beneath your child's bed. You may also want to make a large square blanket from PUL to be used as a play area for your child. This can protect hardwood floors or carpets from spills and accidents.
In the living room, you may want to make slip covers for your chairs, sofas, and couches. This way you can avoid the plastic covers common in many homes while preserving your furniture through your child's early years.
In the kitchen, a PUL drop cloth can be used beneath your toddler's high chair to protect your floor from food that they may throw or spill while eating. If you have cloth on your kitchen chairs, you may want to create PUL covers for them as well.
Sewing With PUL
You can sew with PUL the same way you would sew with fabric that is not laminated. You should be aware that the seams may not leak where they have been punctured by a needle. This should not be an issue for most home uses, but if you do need a waterproof seal, you can heat the seam with a hairdryer on a low heat setting.
Proper Care for PUL
PUL can generally be washed in a washing machine at a high temperature, but you should consult the manufacturer's suggestions. Often times, rinsing in cold water first is required to prevent staining. PUL should be tumble dried on low or line dried to prevent the lamination from pulling off.
To avoid staining, you should wipe any spills as soon as you notice them and regularly wash your PUL fabric.
Home Decorating Tips Regarding PUL
PUL is available in a variety of fabrics and patterns. Since it is commonly used for diapers, many of the patterns are bright, child-friendly designs. However, you should consider the long-term use of your PUL creations and select a neutral pattern that can grow with your child and be used in your home for years.
While PUL is not the only waterproof fabric on the market, it is a great option for home decorating and parents should look for PUL as their first choice for waterproofing.
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