Learning how to make baby wipes with paper towels is easy, but did you know that making your own reusable diaper wipes takes just a few more steps?
I’m all about helping you save money on baby stuff, and cloth diaper wipes can save lots of money over the long run! They can be as basic or as fancy as you want them to be. Really, there’s not even sewing required! Here’s how to do it:
- Round up some old washcloths, buy a 10-pack at Target for under $5, or use pinking shears (those jagged-edge scissors) to cut out washcloth-sized squares from towels, flannel shirts, t-shirts, or any other absorbent fabric you can find.
You can definitely finish your homemade squares off with a sewing machine if you like, but they won’t fray if you use those jagged-edge scissors. Keep in mind that the texture of a washcloth or towel will more effectively clean baby’s bottom, but other material may be softer.
- Combine the following solution in a pitcher (this makes it easy to pour in the next steps):
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or baby oil
- 1-3 tablespoons of baby shampoo
- 2-5 drops of essential oil (optional, for scent)
- Whisk all ingredients together until emulsified.
- Stack your cloths in a wide-mouth jar or ziplock bag.
- Pour the solution over the cloths, seal the bag and turn it over a few times until all the cloths have absorbed some of the solution.
- Keep the bag on your changing table and pull out as needed.
It’s best to keep an extra Ziploc bag near where you change the baby to hold the soiled wipes.You also could use a covered garbage can or diaper pail if you have one.
When you’re ready to wash them, you can experiment with what gets them cleanest in your washing machine.
Some people insist that hot water is the only way to get it all clean, but others say your laundry detergent will cut the oil in the solution and a little bleach will kill any worrisome bacteria (no hot water needed).
Do you use your own baby wipes? Do you like them? What works for you?
Danielle says
We used disposible wipes for a week and then switched to cloth wipes. Now my husband won’t go back! He says his hand stays cleaner with a wash cloth ;). The truth is you only need one wash cloth (maybe two if there is a blow out) for a poopy diaper compaired to 4-6 disposible wipes. Just be careful if you are going to wash your cloth wipes with your cloth diapers don’t put any oil in the wipe solution (it still works without it). I found out the hard way 🙁
Marybeth Hamilton says
Thanks for your input, Danielle! It definitely makes sense to me that you can much more effectively clean up a messy bottom with a single washcloth rather than several wipes.
Kasandria says
Interesting! I wish I would have thought of that when my kiddos were smaller.
Kas
Nicole says
I made our wipes out of one side flannel one side washcloth. They are not fancy but have worked great for 2 years. We store our wet wipes in a plastic tub. We throw our dirty wipes into a planet wise wet bag. This way you are not wasting plastic bags. (it also saves money)
My wipe solution
large bowl of water
1/2 – 1 tablespoon organic extra virgin coconut oil or olive oil
1/2-1 tablespoon Dr. Bronner’s castile soap
1 drop lavender oil
Melanie:::Adorkable says
This is great! I’m not yet a mom but already thinking about cloth diapers and such–I was wondering what to do for wipes if I was going green with the diapers. Thanks!
blessings!
Melanie