How I Made My Own Baby Wipes--Quick and Easy Recipe

Noah was going through hundreds of disposable wipes, and it seemed like such a waste. We were already using cloth diapers, so it wasn't much of a stretch to add cloth wipes to the mix. I just toss them in with the diaper laundry. There are many different ways that you can make your own wipes. Some people like to cut a roll of paper towels in half and add a cloth wipe solution to that, but I was looking for something even more frugal. I purchased Charlie Banana Organic Cotton Wipes, but you can use just about anything--soft baby washcloths or an old, cut up t-shirt are common choices.

Choosing your wipe is the hardest part, I promise! At this point, you can make your wipe solution as complicated as your heart desires. A lot of people like to add baby oil to soften skin and make the wipes easier to use, or essential oils for antibacterial (or scent) properties. I kept it super simple with two ingredients: water and a gentle baby wash.

1. Put about 10 wipes in an empty baby wipes container.
2. Measure out 1 cup of water.
3. Mix about 3 squirts of baby wash into the water (not the other way around--you don't want bubbles).
4. Pour over wipes and allow to soak in for a few minutes before using.

You can also use plain water or put your solution in a squirt bottle and either spray the wipes or baby, but I found that my wipes worked a lot better if they soaked. I really want to pick up some tea tree oil at the health food store and add a few drops to the recipe.

 

Things to Be Aware of:

• You don't want to mix up too many wipes at once, because if they sit for too long, you could end up with mildew problems. I found that 10 is a good amount. I only have to use one at each changing as opposed to a few disposable wipes.
• Adding oil to the recipe can cause absorbency issues with cloth diapers.
• Some babies may react adversely to essential oils used directly on the skin. Use only a few drops or add a carrier oil to the recipe to avoid skin irritation.