I’ve been pinning different DIY baby wipe recipes and decided to give one a whirl. After making two successful batches, I learned that most paper towels have formaldehyde in them. Some baby wipes have this ingredient as well. R-uh r-oh. I’m not sure what the impacts of formaldehyde on babies are, and I don’t want to find out. But making wipes are so easy and so cost effective, once I settle on a solution, I’ll probably bottle it and wet a washcloth with the mixture as needed when it’s time to change diapers.
Here’s how I made my first batch:
1. Cut Costco’s Kirkland Signature paper towel roll in thirds. A lot of recipes call for Bounty, but I found that the Costco brand holds up very well.
2. Add 1 – 2 tbsp of coconut oil and 2 drops of baby wash to 2 cups of warm water. Make sure the coconut oil dissolves.
3. Put a third of the paper towel roll into a tupperware container.
4. Pour solution over paper towel making sure the roll is saturated.
5. Close container and shake; then re-open container to remove the cardboard insert.
I happened to use these wipes to take off my make-up and loved the results. My face was super soft and my make-up came off pretty quickly.
I used the left batch on the baby and right batch on my face.
I’ll definitely continue making these wipes for my face, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue using them for Baby Popcorn. I still have other recipes to try out. One includes Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, witch hazel extract, Vitamin E oil among other yummy ingredients.
Do you use DIY wipes for your baby? What recipe do you use?
GOLD / pomegranate / 3475 posts
We use plain water and cloth wipes.
hostess / wonderful pumpkin / 18458 posts
Also just plain water and cloth wipes :)
GOLD / apricot / 280 posts
I have reusable flannel wipes that I ordered off Etsy. The solution they suggested was 2 c water, 2 TBSP baby wash, 2 TBSP aloe/coconut oil/baby oil, 4-8 drops of tea tree oil (for antibacterial properties and it keeps the wipes from mildewing plus it smells amazing). I make 2 big batches that I keep in old soup containers, fill an old wipes box with my reusable wipes and pour solution over wipes until saturated. I keep this on the changing table.
hostess / honeydew / 9260 posts
what a great idea~
cherry / 178 posts
If most paper towels have formaldehyde in them wouldn’t these, too, since they’re made of paper towels? Or is this a specific brand that doesn’t have formaldehyde?
admin / honeydew / 8649 posts
@LaughLines: there are formaldehyde-free paper towels like the ones from earth friendly products and i think seventh generation might be as well.
cherry / 178 posts
Thanks @mrsbee , i didn’t know any paper towels had formaldehyde at all, surprisingly that’s not something they advertise on the packaging ;)
admin / honeydew / 8649 posts
@LaughLines: i didn’t know either until i saw this post!
hostess / wonderful pumpkin / 17417 posts
Just water!
GOLD / persimmon / 1117 posts
We also just use flannel cloth wipes with water. If it’s a really stinky/sticky/nasty poop, I will use a disposable wipe, but I like that I’m cutting way down on our disposable wipe consumption.
GOLD / pomegranate / 3301 posts
When we DIY wipes, we just use a water spray and a soft cloth. I almost did the whole “cutting a paper towel roll and soaking it in DIY solution” thing too, but then I read it can get moldy and that freaked me out. Good to know about formaldehyde!
nectarine / 2360 posts
We use washcloths with a similar recipe @Ms.SK posted– but without the tea tree oil. Our wipes warmer has a antibacterial pad of some sort? LOL. I’m not sure it works, so I might be ordering some tea tree oil soon!
blogger / cherry / 204 posts
Another one here with flannel wipes and water! We do have some California Baby diaper spray, but don’t really need to use it. The spray bottle of water is perfect for us! :)
blogger / persimmon / 1234 posts
Cheap flannel receiving blanket and water here. I put enough wipes and water in a rubbermaid container (no cover) to last for 2 days. Every 2 days I toss any leftover wipes in the wet bag and “make” a new batch. I made my own wipes solution in the beginning, but water works just as well. I have some california baby sensitive diaper area spray that I use if we have some really tough cleaning work to be done, ahem, blueberries…
Viva paper towels are cheap and AWESOME if you want to keep going the paper towel route.
guest
Our wipe solution includes witch hazel, tea tree oil and a drop of baby wash. I use home made flannel wipes that I overlock stitched the edges (to prevent raveling). We keep a small container of the mixture and the dry wipes near the changing table. Works perfectly. Fights bacteria and moisturizes without filling up septic and sewage or landfills.
guest
Baby wash also has Formaldehyde in it as well as apple juice, baby shampoo and other baby products.
blogger / olive / 63 posts
So true, Angie! We try to make as much as we can from scratch and from natural ingredients to avoid consuming these types of chemicals.
guest
I would use Miracle Soap instead of “baby wash”….and probably up the Coconut Oil to at least 3 tbs….it’s a great anti-bacterial and helps heal existing and avoid future diaper rash!