It may be hard to imagine, but disposable baby wipes have only been commonplace for a few years now. In fact, many parents would probably agree that their convenience is second-to-none, and few would go back to washing and reusing cloth-based alternatives unless it was absolutely necessary. However, we’ve paid a high price for the sake of convenience in terms of cost as well as exposing our little ones to chemicals whenever they need to be cleaned up a bit.
Making your own wipes from safe and natural ingredients can save money, provide a better alternative to store-bought products and give you an opportunity to get in the habit of becoming more self-sufficient. Here are a couple of recipes that illustrate how easy it is to get started.
Cloth Wipes
One of the biggest advantages of using cloth is that you won’t ever run out of them like you would with disposable alternatives during a prolonged crisis. You also don’t need to worry about stocking up or finding space to keep them stored as well. The trick is to use a solution that is gentle on the skin but also a powerful cleaner. One option is to make a solution that also acts as a mild ointment and moisturizer. This can help to prevent rashes while also healing damaged and irritated skin.
Take ½ cup of water, ¼ cup of aloe, 1 tablespoon of calendula, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, and 2 drops of tea tree and lavender oil. Combine all of the ingredients and stir until they are thoroughly mixed. Pour the solution into a small container that can be sealed, and keep it in a cool, dark place. You can use this while changing diapers as well as for routine cleaning, and it can hold up for months in storage.
If you’re looking for a gentler alternative, or if your baby already has a rash, consider making a solution out of chamomile tea, some hot water and a little bit of almond or baby oil. Steep the tea in hot water for about 10 minutes before stirring in the oil. Let the solution cool to the touch before dabbing it with a cloth wipe and applying it to the skin.
Disposable Wipes
While cloth makes more sense when conserving resources is important, you can make your own disposable wipes when you’re awash in paper towels as well. All you need are some paper towels, a large plastic drum such as an empty coffee container, and some basic ingredients that you probably have in your pantry or medicine cabinet. Combine 1 cup of boiling water with ½ cup of aloe, ½ cup of witch hazel, 2 tablespoons of castile or Ivory soap, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2-4 drops of essential oils of your choice.
Let the liquid cool as you cut the roll of paper towels in half. Place one half upright in the container before pouring in the solution, and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Cover the container, flip it over, and let it rest for another 10 minutes to ensure that the towels are soaked through. When finished, pull out the cardboard roll and you’re good to go. If you need to moisten the towels, just add a little bit of water. Replace the towels with the other half of the roll and repeat the process when it’s time for a refill.
While this may seem like a lot of work at first, you can make your own wipes in about the same amount of time that it takes to run to the store and buy some. You’ll also be in a better position to adapt if supplies ever run out and you need to find suitable alternatives. Try these for yourself, and feel free to experiment with different essential oils in order to take advantage of their various medicinal benefits.