DIY Non-Toxic Reusable Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are convenient, but because of their single-use design, a lot of them end up in our landfills or oceans. Parents report that an average amount of wipes used in a year for one child can reach anywhere from 2000-7200 pieces which stacks up to be quite a large amount of non-biodegradable waste. 

But there's a way to reduce wipe waste by making your own. It's true — you can easily create DIY baby wipes with just a few simple, natural ingredients, some organic fabric, and a few handy Stasher Bags. 

DIY Reusable Organic Baby Wipes

Fabric 

In order to create a stockpile of reusable baby wipes, you'll need to find some fabric. I'd recommend organic cotton flannel or bamboo fabric, or soft baby washcloths you probably already have a surplus of. 

Solution

Next, you’ll whip together a simple and natural wipe solution that will be easy on your child’s sensitive skin, with healing and moisturizing properties from each pure, plant based ingredient.

Apple cider vinegar helps restore skin's proper PH balance, coconut oil serves as a protective moisturizer and anti-bacterial, aloe vera soothes dry and itchy skin naturally, and castile soap cleanses gently.

• 1 cup water (either boiled and cooled, or distilled)
• ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons unscented castile soap (I love Dr Bronner’s)
• 1 ½ teaspoons coconut oil or jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon pure aloe vera
• 6-8  drops of chamomile or lavender essential oil*

*The essential oil is optional. Use only high-quality, therapeutic grade essential oils, and be sure than any essential oils you use are safe for use on babies and small children.

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a jar with a tightly sealed lid and shake gently to combine thoroughly. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll want to gently warm the coconut oil to it’s liquid state before mixing it with the other ingredients.  
2. Place about 5-8 reusable wipes in a Stasher Bag, and pour in enough wipe solution to thoroughly soak the fabric without getting it sopping wet (there should not be excess liquid inside the bag, once it’s soaked into the fabric.
3. Squish and knead the bag slightly to ensure that all of the fabric is saturated.
4. Push out excess air inside the bag and seal. 
5. Your wipes are ready to use! 

Out and About 

When taking wipes out and about, use one Stasher Bag for clean wipes, and throw an extra, empty Stasher into your bag to hold soiled wipes. When you get home, simply dump any soiled wipes into your washer or a dry bag.  

Washing Your Wipes

For wipes that have just been used for cleaning surfaces or grubby hands, toss them in the laundry pile just like you would with a used washcloth.

For wipes used for diaper changes, find a system that works well for you and your routine. If you baby has not yet started on solid foods, you can simply throw soiled wipes directly into the washing machine!

Otherwise, rinse any solids off with a diaper sprayer, and toss into a dry bag until your next load of laundry. If you’re using cloth diapers, the wipes may be folded up inside the soiled diaper. 

Line-drying wipes under the sun is not only eco-friendly, but it will help remove any stains.

This post was written by our friend Hannah Theisen, editor of life+style+justice, founder of a beautiful refuge and a member of the ethical blogger network. Connect with Hannah on Instagram @hannahmtheisen.