Reusable Wipes

We have been doing cloth diapers for the past 6.5 years, most times having 2 in diapers.  Someday, soon, we’ll be done.  When we first started, I wanted some sort of reusable wipes to go with the diapers.  The easiest, cheapest solution was to make my own.  I started with any old recieving blanket (this is a good time to use up the stained or ripped ones).
Because these are going to be used soley for cleaning baby’s bottom, I didn’t feel like making them perfect…in fact, the faster, the better.  I didn’t even iron them before cutting (I know, Mom!!).  I estimated the size, eyeballed the lines, and cut quickly.  I cut each blanked into quarters, then each of those into quarters.  These might end up being too small for you, but you can choose whatever size you’d like.
I actually just used a pair of pinking shears so I didn’t have to do any sewing.  They do fray a bit, but not too much.  If you don’t mind a bit of sewing, it’s very quick to zigzag along the edges of each cloth.

Some people have suggested storing the wipes in a box with some cleaning solution.  I don’t like that idea – it seems to me that it might get mouldy sitting in the water.  Other people use a spray bottle, but I like using this old baby wash bottle because you can pump with one hand while changing the baby with the other.  It’s so very easy!

I’ve used a variety of solutions in the bottle.  You can Google some great recipes, but I usually put 2 squirts of baby wash, then fill the rest with water.  Sometimes I add a few drops of lavender oil, or if there’s a rash, I add a bit of baking soda.  Other times, I’m in such a hurry that I just fill it with water…and guess what!  It works just as well! No chemicals, no scent…nothing!  Better for baby, better for the environment.  Our boys have sensitive skin, but have no problem with these.

Aside from being environmentally friendly, and saving a lot of money over the years, I like these because they are stronger than most disposable wipes.  I can use just one usually, but with disposables, I use two or three.

I just throw them into the diaper pail with the diapers to wash.  Even if you don’t do cloth diapers, you can keep a small bucket and do a (small) load every few days or so.

This would also make a great, easy gift for a new mom!

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Jenn vanOosten

I live in Hamilton, Ontario, and love my city. I'm a Netflixer, choral music geek, bookworm, inventor of recipes (I take Artistic Licence on EVERYTHING that I make), wife of one, mother of two, and owner of a neurotic Schnauzer. I respect people who respect others. I love good food that's well done, but my favourite lunch is KD & hotdogs. With ketchup. I'm addicted to Clearance Shopping. I will ALWAYS get the product that I want at the price that I want, eventually.

3 comments

  1. Anonymous
    July 8, 2013 at Monday, 8 July 2013

    Liking the baby wash pump idea! Smart.

    Reply
  2. Echo
    September 29, 2013 at Sunday, 29 September 2013

    my best friend used cloth diapers on all 3 of her kids, she was braver than i was! LOL anyway she did something along this line. she had a bunch of old tea towels given to her. she cut them up and used them for wipes. when they started wearing out she bought a couple packs of real bargin washcloths and used them until the kids were out of diapers. her husband ended up with most of them to use as rags in his garage.

    Reply

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