How to Make Your Own Baby Wipes

Baby wipes have long been hailed as a godsend for parents, and many parents use them for far more than just their intended purpose. In addition to being used to clean up messy babies during a much-need diaper change, lots of parents swear by using them to wipe up messes, act as a mini-shower, and serve as tissues, paper towels, and napkins. However have you ever taken the time to look at the ingredients listed on your baby wipes packaging? Are the ingredients listed full of words that you can’t pronounce? Babies have sensitive skin, and the harsh ingredients in commercial wipes can irritate a baby’s soft bottom, not to mention while wipes are super convenient, they can also get pretty expensive. By making your own baby wipes you will not only save money, but you can use gentle ingredients that won’t harm or irritate your baby’s delicate skin.

Gather together the following items:

• 4 qt. round or square container with a lid (wide enough for paper towel roll to fit in and tall enough for ½ of the roll to fit)
• Roll of 2-ply paper towel (Bounty select-a-size work well)
• 2 tablespoons of baby wash
• 2 tablespoons of mineral oil (use coconut oil or vegetable oil if sensitive skin)
• 2 ½ cups of hot water
• Cutting board
• Knife

Start by cutting the roll of paper towel in half using the knife. Pull the cardboard core out of the paper towel halves. The last paper towel is usually glued on, but with a little work you can get it to come loose. Place half of the paper towels into the container, cut side down. Measure the hot water, add the baby wash and oil to the water, and stir. Pour this mixture over the paper towels. Put the lid on and turn the container upside down. Allow the container to sit for about 5 minutes. Flip container back over and now the wipes are ready to use. Cut an “X” in the lid of the container if you’d like to pull the wipes through. Otherwise you can just take the lid off each time. Start pulling wipes from the center.

Since there are no preservatives in these wipes there is a chance for mold to form. To avoid this keep them in a cool place that is out of direct sunlight. If you are worried about mold you can add 4 drops of tea tree oil to the water before adding it to the paper towels. Tea tree is a natural antiseptic and will help to prevent any mold from forming.

You can also customize these wipes to suit you and your baby’s needs. It’s simple to add a few drops of lavender essential oil if you’d like to have scented wipes. Lavender also has antiseptic properties.

Homemade wipes can also be used in your travel wipes container, or you can simply throw some in a zip top bag and go.

The savings on these wipes will vary by where you live, but on average you can save about $10 a month by making your own wipes. Homemade wipes tend to be moister then store bought ones, so some parents think they work better as well. If the wipes seem too wet for your liking just decrease the amount of water you use the next time you make them.

Taken From Newborn Care