Cloth Wipes Help Needed!

Updated on August 26, 2010
K.J. asks from Spring Hill, TN
15 answers

Hi moms! I wanted to know how many of you used cloth wipes and what your wipe solution recipe is. I am looking for a wipe solution that I can make with products sold at a regular store. I don't have much time to go shopping at specialty stores for hard to find essential oils and things. I do have a Whole Foods 30 minutes away that I don't mind driving to on occasion.

I would also like to be able to wash my wipes with my cloth diapers, so I am looking for a solution that won't build up on my diapers, too. I have seen many recipes that are compatible with cloth diapers, but I don't have the time to go searching for ingredients. Any other random cloth diaper or wipes advice is also welcome. Thank you moms!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

E.A.

answers from Erie on

I also used water. I actually kept them in a disposable wipe box. When I made them I cut up old towels and stitched them with a zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine, which eliminated the fraying around the edges. They lasted for years, I just washed them with my cloth diapers.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from San Francisco on

We also just used water. At home, we would just put his butt in the sink and wash. He never got a rash.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I only used water as well. I put it in a spray bottle and sprayed the wipes. I held the wipe in my hand for a few seconds, to make sure the wipe wasn't too cool. It worked great and we never had a rash!!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Honestly, I only used water. I found anything else to complicated and unecessary. It's not a bd thing, but you shouldn't feel like you have to.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Columbus on

I used old tee shirts, cut up into pieces, or you can buy it if you would rather, but when mine were little, money was tight! I used a squirt of baby lotion in a small crock pot filled with water, put a days worth of wipes in, and changed it every day. I don't know if you really need to add anything, it just smelled nice. If you have a very dirty behind, a little soap on the wipe will do the trick, then wipe with a clean one. Very afordable, and you just put them in your diaper pail and wash with the diapers!

M.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Nashville on

I confess to mostly using just water out of the tap. Occasionally, I'll add a dot of baby shampoo to the water and shake for a few seconds before adding the baby washcloth/wipes. I wash the wipes with the dipes and it's never occured to me before to worry about their being incompatible laundry-wise...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

We used wet paper towels. Then they went into the yardwaste, which is taken away and composted. If it had to be cloth, I'd suggest flannel & water.

Most people don't "wash" their privates every time we have to go to the bathroom (military types on deployment or in training, however, learn quickly NOT to use babywipes because it causes yeast infections and "diaper" rash when used all day every day).

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.C.

answers from Lexington on

We've used flannels from ebay (which worked great) and have upgraded to sherpas from Quilter's Nappies - which we LOVE. I've always used a solution of distilled water, Dr. Bronner's, and a few drops of tea tree oil (natural disinfectant) which is readily available at any Aveda salon. Dr. Bronner's can be purchased online, at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Meijer's, Kroger's, etc. I like how easily everything wipes up, but I'm sure if you just used water and tea tree oil it would work fine. If you have a girl with sensitive genitals, you may want to consider that. Our DD gets vaginal infections very easily so we've been cautioned not to get soap anywhere near her genitals.

Also, BumGenius, Thirsties, as well as other CD companies make wipes solutions if you'd prefer a one-shot deal. These are also available online, typically through any CD retailer, or amazon, or even Babies R Them.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I used baby bath rags (they were thinner so I could fit more into my diaper wipe warmer and they soaked up less of the solution and were less abrasive to baby's bottom) and boiled (cooled) water with a small squirt of baby oil (helped with the poop). I always washed diapers and wipes together with country save detergent/baking soda/vinegar. I never had a problem with either.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Memphis on

I cut washcloths in half for my wipes, and just used water when I needed to clean a dirty bottom. I suppose you could use some cleaner, but I never found it necessary.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

Water. I don't use anything with fragrance, and tea-tree oil is pretty controversial, so I don't risk it. If needed, I might put some California Baby Oil in the water too, but I've never needed to. I've never had any problems.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Chicago on

I liked water with a little tea tree oil. I used All Free and Clear for washing and never had any problems. I made my own wipes also with cheap flannel from the clearance bin at Joann's. I loved cloth diapering and miss it :)
My LO potty learned all on his own at 2 yrs 1 week. CD kids learn so much quicker but I miss our adorable diapers.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Knoxville on

We CDed my first daughter until she potty trained and our twins until they were about 9 months old.

I never used anything aside from velour wipes and plain old water. I had two full days of wipes and I wet one day at a time, in a standard baby wipe warmer. I never plugged it in to "heat" the wipes, so I didn't have to worry about anything growing.

I washed the wipes with our regular diaper load and never had a problem! :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Louisville on

I did this when my daughter had a terrible diaper rash. the doctor told me to use a few drops of baby wash and the rest water. worked great the only bad thing was having to wash them yuck! thank goodness for disposables!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions