Tip: Homemade Baby Wipes
Archived on 01/04/2010
Considering the number of medications that are administered via the skin, I became alarmed at the number of chemicals in baby products. FDA notwithstanding, it seems that most of these things can be absorbed by my baby's skin. So, I recently began making my own baby wipes, after reading the ideas on this site. My own input would be these following items:
I, too, like the Viva Towels, in the Select-a-Size roll. I tear them off, then fold them in half with the more textured side out. Then, I fold them to fit in the box (I really like Huggies boxes, as they have a rubber finger-type grip at the top that really holds the next wipe), and as I fold them, I put the next one in the fold of the previous one, so that when I pull on one, it naturally pulls the next one up with it. PRESTO--pop up wipes.
I use a little bit (1 teaspoon) of vodka to dilute and disperse the essential oils--I like ONE drop of lavender (only one, because it's very strong), one capsule of oregano oil, cut open and squeezed in (for antibacterial properties), 6 drops of rose hip seed oil (moisturizer), 6 drops of jasmine oil (smells great), and about 1 teaspoon of grape seed oil (moisturizer). I mix this, then add about 1 cup of aloe vera juice (available from Sam's Club for about $5.00 per gallon) and 1 cup of colloidal silver made with distilled water. If you aren't familiar with this item, google it--it's great. A natural, safe anti bacterial. If you buy your own silver generator, you can make all you need for the price of batteries and distilled water.
Mix all together, making sure to put the oils in the vodka FIRST and mix, then add other items. That way you don't have big drops of oils on the top wipe and none on the others. Pour over the wipes, pull the first one up, and you're done. These wipes have been known to eliminate diaper rash with one use. They don't have all of the chemicals in them that store bought wipes do, they smell divine, work awesome, and I also use them to clean my face.
Also, if you go to the VIVA website, you can print out coupons for the paper towels. If you like, all the ingredients can be obtained in organic form, and they really do work.
By Gina J. from Colorado
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RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I think it's definitely worth making baby wipes for 2 reasons: avoid all the chemicals (hence I'd be inclined to use a combo of witch hazel, tea tree and rose water instead of soap and baby oil) and to do our bit for the earth (good idea to use flannel) after all 'we didn't inherit the earth from our ancestors we're borrowing it from our children' x (07/24/2008)
By justine.
NO MORE FOLDING
Oh guys, stop folding the wipes! You're going to burn yourself out! Just cut the roll into thirds using a knife or an electric knife so it fits into an old commercial wipe container and pull out the center cardboard and voila! You have pop up wipes!! Seriously it makes it so much easier than folding all those! I usually cut up 3 rolls or so into thirds at a time and store them dry so I don't have to cut them often. Then just add the mixture over the top and in 5 minutes you have pop up wipes! (09/11/2008)
By Kelly
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I started making my own baby wipes with paper towels (VIVA) when my daughter got a severe diaper rash. I like the idea of making my own baby wipes and knowing what goes into them (most wipes contain alcohol along with a lot of other chemicals)! After getting tired of the cut and fold thing I started using her old baby washcloths. I read about a lot of people making them out of fabric and terry cloth and sewing up the edges but that seemed even more time consuming (unless you have a sewing machine--which I don't). The washcloths worked way better than the paper towels (which I still use on the go because it is easier to just dispose of them than to try to keep it around til we get home).
I just went to the dollar store and bought a few packs of them since I only had like 20. Then I started buying them whenever I would catch them on sale at Wal-Mart. The ones that don't have the extra fabric around the edges work better for me. I just wash them separately in their own small load since I haven't gotten into the cloth diapers thing.
I use this recipe:
-3 Cups Distilled water (otherwise you have to boil the water)
-1/8 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil which is easiest to get since they carry it at most supermarkets(Or another type of "NATURAL" oil such as Jojoba, Almond, or Sunflower--any "NATURAL" oil will you can get them at health food stores do I don't recommend using baby oil or mineral oil they clog pores and aren't absorbed well into the skin)
-2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil (Inhibits the growth of bacteria and also is a powerhouse of healing)
-1 drop of Roman Chamomile (This is very expensive and can be left out if you can't afford it but it is very good for the skin and it heals as well)
-6-8 drops of Lavender oil (Has calming effects and also inhibits the growth of bacteria)
-Make sure you are using pure essential oils for the Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile, and Lavender Oils!
-1 Tbs. Natural baby wash (Avoid SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate) Try to get a good natural one without words you can't pronounce or use a mild Pure Liquid Castile Soap like Dr. Bronners unscented baby mild I use California baby or Dr.Bronners whichever I have on hand You can find them at the health food stores or at Target
-1 Tsp. Pure Vegetable Glycerin (You can find this pretty much anywhere it helps to keep the oils from separating and it is also a great moisturizer this is another reason why it is important to not use a chemical baby wash because it makes the skin more absorbent!)
-Mix all of the ingredients and pour over whatever you are using for wipes or store it in a spray bottle and spray it as needed onto the wipes or directly onto the babies bottom. (01/06/2009)
By Sarah
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Tip: My Homemade Baby Wipes
Archived on 05/08/2007
Save tons of money by making your own baby wipes. It's much easier than you might think. I use only the Bounty paper towels because they hold up better. Fold them in thirds (accordion style--like when you were a kid and made fans in school with your old papers!) Make sure to leave the paper towels attached at the perforation because it helps them feed through the wipes container. When the paper towels are folded cut them in half (this means each roll of towels should make about 200 wipes) and set them in your wipes container. Boil water, let it cool and measure out about 1 1/2 cups of water per wipes container. Add 2 drops of tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic) for each 1 1/2 cups of water. Pour it slowly over the towels. Allow them to sit of a couple hours and you're set.
I use old wipes containers that I already had around the house. If you don't have some, ask neighbors, co-workers, family, church members. Most people just throw them away so it shouldn't be hard to find 4 or 5 of them. I pre-fold my paper towels when I'm on the phone, watching our toddler in the tub, etc. This way when I run out, they're already folded. All I have to do is add the water. If your buy the paper towels on sale with coupons, you can make the wipes for about 1/2 cent or less per wipe as opposed to the 2-3 cents per wipe they cost at the store. It may sound like a small amount, but it REALLY adds up in the long run. Good luck!
By Heidi from Washington, DC
Feedback:
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I have noticed too that in a pinch, when I run out of wipes, that the 1 papertowel is equivalent to like 2 or 3 wipes. I don't know why. But those papertowels are better.
Wipes are so tiny, for every poop, I gotta use at least 3 or 4. It adds up! $9.80 was the last time I was at Walmart for the Huggies Sensitive wipes (some of those cheaper brands irritate the little bums).
By mommamoody
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Tip: Homemade Baby Wipes
Archived on 03/15/2007
Try this if you find that you're close to running out of baby wipes and won't have enough to last until payday.
Using the empty wipe container, put in a small amount of warm water in the bottom, about 1/2 inch, add a few drops of baby oil, and a few drops of mild baby bath wash. Now, take enough paper towels to fill container and cut each one in half, then put them into the water, oil, bath wash solution. Now flip the stack over to be sure they all get saturated. Whaa-la! You have instant baby wipes. The bath wash cleanses the skin, the oil moisturizes and seals the skin. Use a dry paper towel or wash cloth to pat skin dry before diapering baby. I recommend using the better quality paper towels. The ones that feel more like material, because they're softer and don't fall apart so easily. Also, use the products that you normally use on baby, so you know they won't be allergic. I used these on my three children, now grown, when money was tight and found they worked better then the store bought ones.
By Josie from Homer, AK
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RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
Viva is the best kind of paper towel to use. (It's the thickest) Also try to get the select a size so you don't have to take the time cutting in half. Oh and one more thing. Make sure you boil the water to steralize it. I didn't and ended up with some mold. (02/16/2007)
By jessie
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Tip: Homemade Baby Wipes
Archived on 02/13/2007
Instead of buying baby wipes at the store, I make mine homemade. All it costs is a roll of double quilted bounty paper towels and baby soap and baby oil which you already have for the baby. You cut the towel roll in half so you have 2 round halves. Pull the cardboard out of the center of one.
Buy a container with a lid that the towels will fit tightly into. Put 2 cups of water, 8 squirts of baby soap and 3 short squirts of baby oil. shake it up and put the towel roll into the container and close the lid. Turn upside down and let sit for about 10 minutes so the liquid can soak through.
Put the other half of the paper towels away for next time. Cheap and efficient! I discovered it when my son had an allergic reaction to store wipes and found it to be much cheaper and they last longer!
By JCR7676
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RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I have found that by making my own baby wipes we save a ton! They also seem to be stronger than the store bought.
By Julie
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
Add a little Witch Hazel to your mixture. Don't remember who or where I got it but I do child care and go though a lot for hands. I don't think they would work as pop ups.
By Judi
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I've done the same sort of thing with cloth wipes. I use squares of flannel that I finished with a zigzag stitch around the edges. I put them in a tupperware container with water, baby soap, witch hazel and oil. They go into the diaper pail and get washed with my cloth diapers.
By Shawna
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
You can use these in pop up containers,you just pull the paper towel from the center of the roll after you have removed the cardboard and added your solution. Just feed it through the hole in the lid.
By Julie
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I still don't see how this is more cost saving than buying the Equate brand wipes. There are 800 in a pack for $3.80. The Bounty towels are that much for a double pack and there are only 100 sheets per roll. Even cutting them in half, you only have 400 wipes.
By Shera
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
You can also use VIVA which is cheaper than Bounty.
By Dahart
Baby Wipes
Take Baby Wash (dollar store) and paper towels and make your own baby wipes! Use Bounty paper towels (or a really good brand) and fold them in fourths and line them in an old recycled plastic wipe container/tub. Then mix 1/3 cup baby wash to 2/3 cup warm water. Pour over wipes. Keep container closed. If they dry out just "wet with warm water and the baby wash will come back onto the wipe.
By Gina
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I have two small children 2 years old and 8 months old I go through more baby wipes than you can imagine in just a day. I am saving $13.00 a month which makes it well worth it.
By Kristen
RE: Science fair project
I am doing a project on bounty paper towels and brawny paper towels and bounty paper towels soaked up more liquid than brawny!!
By Kaytlin
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I've been using the Target Brand unscented baby wipes and tearing each one in half. This way they last twice as long. I believe it comes out to about 1cent each (per half)-I buy it by the case. I'd do the math with the paper towels, but I'm not sure how many are on a roll,etc. I like the idea of folding the paper towels into fourths and adding baby shampoo, etc, but that seems too time consuming.
By Judy
RE: Homemade Baby Wipes
I was pretty sure that i read somewhere that baby oil is not a good thing to use on infants. Is that true?
By angelinaballerina
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