Over the years, I’ve tackled countless cloth diaper changes, always reaching for baby wipes I believed were safe and healthy for my little ones. Surprisingly, many wipes aren’t as safe as they claim. I decided to create my own DIY baby wipes using natural ingredients, and they turned out to be more affordable too!
Before, I never really checked the ingredients in baby wipes. Words like “Fresh Scent,” “natural,” and “sensitive skin” gave me a false sense of security. However, many wipes contain hidden surprises like artificial fragrances—even the unscented ones—and harsh preservatives and parabens that might lead to diaper rash.
Even my go-to Huggies Cucumber and Green Tea wipes weren’t as safe. At the time, some of their ingredients were linked to issues like cancer risk, allergies, and developmental problems. I used these products for years, assuming they were safe for babies. Clearly, that wasn’t the case!
Fortunately, many brands have improved their ingredient lists, but plenty of wipes with questionable ingredients still exist. Exploring healthier alternatives led me to some good options, yet they often come with a higher price tag.
Busy parents who don’t have time to make their own wipes are in luck because there are healthier options available in the market now! Here’s a list with some “healthy mama-approved” brands.
When I stumbled across recipes for homemade wipes, most suggested using ingredients like baby oil, shampoo, and lotion. Baby oil sounds mild, but it’s actually mineral oil, a byproduct of the gasoline industry. Other ingredients in these products have their own concerns regarding health.
I realized if you could make wipes with those components, you could surely create a healthier version too. After a lot of trial and error (mostly error), I nailed down a recipe for baby wipes that work wonders without causing any skin irritation. Plus, they cost significantly less, especially when buying ingredients in bulk—a huge saving when I had several kids in diapers!
There are different ways to make homemade wipes. Initially, I used a plastic storage container and paper towels. Later, I switched to cloth wipes for a reusable version. The homemade wipe solution works with both options, depending on what you have or prefer to use.
I’ve also provided instructions for those who want the healthy yet less eco-friendly disposable option. If you go for reusable wipes, no sewing is needed. You can cut old receiving blankets and t-shirts into 9×9 or larger squares. Old baby washcloths work too. Just fold them into a container and pour the wipes solution over them, or spray it on each wipe from a bottle before use.
You can find premade fabric wipes online, like organic flannel ones that are super soft. Discovering these homemade wipes has been a fun and rewarding journey. They are definitely kid-approved; mine love the smell and often try to use them for cleaning everything. These wipes are also great for cleaning tiles, counters, leather, and floors, but they leave a residue on stainless steel.
I also make a lavender or tea tree oil version for disinfecting when traveling, which also works as reusable makeup removal wipes for me. Making these wipes is quick and offers a fantastic alternative to store-bought options.
For the wipes, I prefer distilled water or water that’s boiled and cooled. Tap water can be used, but it might develop microbes quickly. As long as you use them within a few days, boiled and cooled water is just fine.
Storing these wipes is easy with a plastic container. I used to love using a red Rubbermaid round container, but an old coffee container or ice cream bucket works too. Initially, paper towels fit best into round containers, but since then, we’ve moved away from using plastic.
For reusable cloth wipes, a repurposed diaper wipe container or silicone bag works perfectly for storing a few at a time in a diaper bag for quick clean-up. If you’re using the spray bottle and cloth wipes method, keeping them in a basket on the changing table does the trick.
Would you consider trying homemade baby wipes? If so, what scents do you plan on using? Let me know in the comments!
