DIY Cloth Wipes

I made cloth wipes when Grant was a baby and used them frequently.  When we moved to Ohio they got lost in the move so I made a trip to Walmart and bought a package of cheap washcloths ($4 for 18 if I remember right) and used those, both kinds worked great.  My husband finds cloth wipes disgusting and pointless as he says, "a box of wipes costs like a dollar Lisa, I think we can afford that".  For me its not about whether or not we can actually afford it, it's the fact that if I don't have to buy it and I can make something that can be used again and again, then why not?  Even if I'm only saving a dollar here and there, that's a dollar that can be used for something else.  And if I'm already using cloth diapers, which I did with Grant and plan to use again with this new baby, using cloth wipes isn't any extra work.  You just throw the diaper and wipe in the wash instead of in the trash.  Plus I really like not having to rely on store bought items, no running to Walmart at 9 o'clock at night because I didn't realize we were almost out of wipes.  It's a great feeling.

It dawned on me the other day I needed a new stock of cloth wipes, so I raided my fabric stash and searched for any flannel I could use to make some.  I made these a little bigger than the ones I made years ago and made sure to hem them so they wouldn't fray.  I measured squares 8x8inches and used 2 for each wipe.  I put right sides together, stitched around all 4 sides leaving an opening for turning.  Then turned them right side out and zigzag stitched around all for sides for durability.  You could easily use one 8x8inch square and just hem it around all four sides.  That's what I did before with Grant's wipes but I plan on using these for a couple years (until potty training time) and I wanted them to be thick and durable.

I ended up making about 12 wipes out of the scraps I found and I'm sure I'll end up making more over time but this will at least get me started.  The first few weeks at home after the baby's born I use disposable everything, it's just easier when your trying to get used to a new routine and adjust to the lack of sleep etc. etc. 

This is a great way to use up flannel scraps and save a little money as well.  With Grant (when he was 1-2years old) I was only using a 1 package of disposable diapers a month and 1 container of wipes about every month to month and a half, that is when I wasn't making my own disposable wipes.  Can you tell I'm big on doing things myself instead of buying them?

Update on Homemade Laundry Detergent and Baby Wipes

I posted about my homemade laundry detergent back on February 7th and to this day  I am still using the same batch I whipped up then, that's almost 2 months and with a 5 month old I do at least 1 load of laundry a day usually 2 including cloth diapers.  I have had no issues with stains coming out, none that I wouldn't have with any other detergent.  I have a tendency to forget to use a stain treatment on the many bibs my little one gets bright orange carrots on, but I consider that my fault due to lack of attention to details. 

I am just now getting to the end of my batch, probably still have at least 5 or more loads I can get out of it before I absolutely have to make more.  I'm super excited about how long it's lasted and how well it's done on our clothes, completely worth the little bit of time it took, and a bargain compared to other detergents.

I also made baby wipes, I posted about here.  I have been using homemade baby wipes ever since then except for when we go out, which isn't very often, then I use store bought wipes.  I don't think this would really be necessary.  The homemade wipes would probably hold up just fine in a to-go case.  I bought a large package of 6 Bounty paper towels for $6.  I cut each of them in half and half a roll lasts us about a week, sometimes a little more or less depending on how many blow out BM's we have in a week.  So 1 package of paper towels lasts us about 12 weeks or 3 months,  that's about $2 a month on baby wipes, not bad huh? 

I have changed the recipe I use for the wipes just because I ran out of baby oil and didn't really want to spend money on more.  The recipe I use now is 1cup water, 1/4 cup baby wash (probably a little less than this because I don't measure), and a couple squirts of baby lotion.  Now the wipes are not quite as soapy but still work just as well.

Homemade Baby Wipes

I was getting down to my last few wipes from the box we bought and once again was dreading going out and buying another box for $13, even though they do last us a while now.  Still that's $13 that can go for something else.  I had recipes I found ages ago before Grant was born, for baby wipes and had intended to try this awhile ago but the idea had left my mind.  I was reminded of it recently on Small Fry & Co when she made cleaning wipes, and decided since I was at the end of mine I might as well give it a whirl.

First let me say, I apologize for the pictures.  I had to take them in my kitchen where there is no natural light because my dining room table is covered in papers as I attempt to work on Project Paper from I Heart Organizing, more on that later.

Here's what you will need:

A roll of paper towels, I usually buy the cheapest I can find but I wanted some that where soft and durable so Bounty is what I chose, they seem to hold up pretty well with my little one.

Baby Wash

Baby Oil

Use a serrated bread knife to cut your paper towel roll in half

Find a plastic container that half the paper towel roll will fit in nicely, this container is an 8 cup and my roll fits perfect.

Now your going to mix your liquids together.  You can google baby wipes recipe and find dozens of them.  I did what I always do which is find a few and then pick and choose from each of them what I want to use.  Here is the recipe I used:  2 cups water, 1/2 c baby wash, and 2T baby oil.  I used a wisk to make sure it was all mixed together thoroughly.

Pour your liquid over top of the paper towels and put the lid on.  Let sit until the liquid is all soaked up then remove the inner cardboard tube.  When you remove the tube the towels are suppose to come out with it so you have a starting point, however mine didn't so I had to dig to find the start of mine.  No biggie though.  My wipes started out quite wet, if you don't like that you may want to alter the recipe so there's less liquid.  I figure when there's a big poop blowout I will greatly appreciate how wet the wipes are.

**update- Using the above recipe my wipes were really saturated so I cut the recipe in half and they came out perfect.  Now I use 1cup water, 1/4 cup baby wash, and 1 tablespoon baby oil.