Total Chlorine Free (TCF). Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF). Maybe you’ve come across these labels on diaper packaging, in articles, or just talking to other parents. So what’s the story? And what do these terms really mean?

It’s all about the different types of plant-based pulp in diapers. Here’s a quick comparison between the two:

• TCF: The absorbent core’s materials aren’t bleached with chlorine or its derivatives in the manufacturing process.
• ECF: Elemental chlorine isn’t used, but the absorbent core’s materials are bleached with chlorine dioxide, a chlorine derivative.

Both options are significantly better than old-school chlorine bleaching, but TCF takes things a step further by eliminating chlorine-derived chemicals altogether.

Coterie’s diapers use only TCF pulp in our absorbent core.

In fact, Coterie is the #1 pediatrician-recommended brand in the Total Chlorine Free (TCF) diaper category.*

Why does this matter? Because diapers are one of the products babies interact with most. From newborn days through toddlerhood, diapers spend hours at a time against delicate, developing skin. Many parents today are paying closer attention to the materials used in everyday baby products—and diapers are no exception.

Choosing TCF pulp is one way to help reduce unnecessary exposure to chlorine-processing byproducts while still delivering the absorbency and performance parents rely on. It’s part of Coterie’s broader commitment to thoughtful material choices, rigorous testing standards, and creating products that are gentle on skin yet high performing.

“As a pediatrician, when I think about products that sit on a baby’s skin all day, I focus on reducing unnecessary exposures. Total Chlorine Free pulp in diapers minimizes exposure to dioxins, which are byproducts of chlorine processing and can be irritating. For skin that’s still developing, material choices like this can make a difference.” —Dr. Mona Amin, D.O.

For Coterie, using TCF pulp wasn’t a trend or marketing decision. Every material in our diaper is carefully considered, because even small details matter when it comes to the products you use every single day.

“When we say Total Chlorine Free, we mean it–no chlorine, no derivatives, no exceptions. For us, with a diaper that spends so much time close to your baby, that means everything.” —Taylor Wiegele, VP of Product Development

And importantly, choosing TCF doesn’t mean compromising on performance. Coterie’s diapers are designed to deliver exceptional absorbency, softness, and leak protection while maintaining the high standards parents expect. Because ideally, you shouldn’t have to choose between what feels better for your baby and what actually works.

*IQVIA ProVoice Pediatrician Survey, August 2025