When Little A was born we started with disposable diapers. After watching the money go into the trash eight to ten times a day and knowing that it was going to just sit in a landfill to never fully degrade for the next 500 years, we decided that it was time to transition to cloth diapers.
Transitioning to cloth diapers, we started with hybrid diapers (cloth cover with a biodegradable interior) then to fully cloth by the time Little A was six months old. During this, disposable wipes were still used, many often ending in the wash with the cloth diapers because they got caught in the diaper pail with the soiled diapers, how annoying. Finally, I decided to create my own
reusable wipes and wipes solution. Since the transition, it has made an improvement on Little A’s irritations that was resolved to be a sensitivity from the disposable wipes (even the sensitive/fragrance free wipes). No more diaper rashes!
To make the wipes:
I cut some flannel fabric I had available and old receiving blankets into 6 1/2” x 6 1/2” squares. For the flannel fabric, I made them double layered. For the old receiving blankets I made them single layered.
For the double layers - take two pieces of the cut fabric and place the “wrong” sides of the fabric together. Sew along the edges using a zig zag stitch.
For the single layers - Sew along the edges using a zig zag stitch.
Viola, a stack of wipes transpired.
Wipes solution:
There are many different solutions available. Here are few recipes, starting with the one that I use.
Castile Solution:
1 tbsp Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap
1 tbsp. jojoba oil
1 drop lavender oil
1 1/2 cup water
Note: I purchased the soap and oils at a local health food store. They can also be found online
Simple Solution:
1/2 cup baby oil
1/2 cup baby wash
2 cups water
Note: This simple solution can be adapted by changing the type of soap or oil. Other oils that can be used are avocado oil, almond oil, apricot oil, etc.
Anti-Fungal
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tbsp calendula oil
few drops lavender oil
few drops tea tree oil
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water
Note: Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.
Essential oils - A little bit goes a long way
Soapless
1-2 drops tea tree oil
1-2 drops lavender oil
1 cup water
Note: This recipe relies on the essential oils to clean versus soap.
Storage Options
1. Soak the wipes in the solution then place them in a wipes warmer
2. Store wipes in a container (either plastic wipes container or a basket) and put the solution in a spritzer bottle. During diaper changes, spritz the wipe with the desired amount of solution.
Cleaning
Throw in diaper pail with the cloth diapers and wash together.
