So I'm about to pop with our first baby, and have jumped into the world of homemade baby wipes :) I decided to go down this path for a number of reasons. #1) there is a long history of very sensitive skin in both hubby and my families - the number one offender being eczema on my side. #2) Cost effective. #3) Environmentally friendly. #4) Super cute fabric options make it fun.
Here's how I did it.
The Wipes
- 1 metre of your favourite flannel, washed in baby friendly detergent and ironed
- Any colour of thread your heart desires - I chose a colour that stood out b/c I used a zig-zag stitch
on my sewing machine
- A sewing machine
Cut your fabric into 6"x6" squares
Put two pieces, wrong sides together; stitch all the way around your square with a zig-zag stitch.
Clean up any uneven edges with your scissors - and that's it! Easy peasy!
The Solution
Many of my mom friends use reusable wipes - and most of them use only a flannel with water. But of course I feel the need to be fancy, ha ha - so I did some research into different homemade solutions other people use. I didn't want to use anything too harsh (like tea tree oil or witch hazel) b/c it is afterall going to be used on a sweet little baby bottom, and the idea is to keep it gentle. So from what I've read, a good combo for a gentle solution is simply water, soap and oil. This is mine:
- 3 cups distilled water
- 1 tbsp apricot oil (I chose this one b/c it has natural vitamin E in it - it has no scent)
- 1 tbsp unscented baby wash (I went with Burt's Bees' Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash)
- 2-3 drops rose essential oil (b/c I can't resist a good smelling baby bum)
I have a wipes warmer that I will store the wipes and solution in - and any excess solution I will just keep in a jar until I need to refill!
