When I began cloth diapering last year, I continued to use disposable wipes for several months before making the switch to cloth wipes. I did this mainly because I had a huge box of disposable wipes stashed in the basement, and I hadn’t really given reusable cloth wipes much thought. I quickly grew tired of having to separate the disposable wipes from the cloth diapers, especially after changing a messy diaper. In addition, I was keeping that old diaper champ in the nursery solely for the purpose of throwing away wipes…yuck! The more I thought about it, the more cloth wipes seemed to make sense. I figured I was already cleaning the dirty diapers, so why not clean the wipes as well.
My first cloth wipes were nothing more than baby washcloths. They offered both a smooth and rough side, which was great for cleaning up after both wet and messy diapers. I simply folded them up in a “recycled” plastic disposable wipes container, and poured water over them.
Tah Dah, I had my own cloth wipes ready to go at changing time. I still use those two dozen baby washcloths, but have also added the FuzziBunz Combo Pack wipes, as well as a few flannel wipes that I made by cutting up an old receiving blanket. (These also work well as a barrier between baby and diaper when you are forced to use a non-cloth friendly rash cream or medicine.) Instead of using plain water to wet the cloth wipes, I now use a wipe solution that I make at home, and then store in an old peri bottle that I was given at the hospital after giving birth! It works great whether I spray the wipe or directly on my son. Once I made the switch to using cloth wipes, I finally felt like a full-fledged cloth diapering momma. I was no longer tossing out human waste with our garbage, as well as the money that we were spending on all the disposable conveniences.
-- By Katrina
17 comments:
I'm starting to make the switch to cloth wipes, too! I'm still trying to figure out if I need a wipes warmer. Sometimes they just feel so cold on baby's bum.
I was wondering if you would share you Homemade wipe soultion ? I make homemade laundry detergant and fabric softner they are both great.
I found that the disposables were more of an inconvenience than I convenience too. I also use mostly baby wash cloths - because I already had a ton of those. Now I am finding all kinds of other uses for cloth wipes - wipe faces after eating, wipe drippy noses and they don't get sore, wipe up the table - and so I keep adding more to my stash. As a matter of fact I have a few on my wish list at the moment. :)
Hmmmm... Makes a lot of sense!! I'm new to clothing diapering. I've heard of other cloth moms making their own wipes, with paper towels, water and some mild soap. I love the idea of cloth wipes!!
I love my cloth wipes and I use a wipes warmer for them. I just stack up the wipes in the warmer and pour my wipes solution (water with a little baby oil and baby wash mixed in) over the top. It works great and keeps my wipes warm and moist.
How often do you change the water in your wipes container, especially in the wipes warmer? I've heard stories of things starting to grow in there. I know you can use TTO but I hate the way it smells!
I actually just use water and always seems to work out great. For Riley's diaper bag I take a Planet Wise wet bag in small and fold 8-10 wipes in half put it under the faucet for a minute and instant wet wipes!
I'm using el cheapo dollar store baby terry washcloths. Not even sure if they're cotton. They work great though. My favorite thing about them is that they are very bright colors (bright blue, magenta, yellow, orange), and therefore are very easy to sort out from the rest of the diaper laundry. I use a spray bottle with water (sometimes with a drop or two of baby shampoo in the bottle) to wet one at a time, and hold it in my hand for a second if it seems too cold.
Ooh peri bottle, that's a good idea!
Omg you're really making me wish I'd hung onto my peri bottle!
I'm all about wetting the cloth wipes, putting them in an old disposable wipes pop up container, and having them on hand. I just put them in a zip-lock bag for travel. Talk about a money-saver!
I am scared to use cloth wipes! I know it is way better. I don't know why I am reluctant to make the switch.
Can you share your wipre solution? I am curious.
Do your wipes get really cold in the winter? We keep our house at 65, and the disposable wipes get so chilly..
You sound just like me! I am (still) trying to use up 2 HUGE cases of wipes (think 8-10 boxes of wipes per case) we bought LAST year prior to making the switch. I couldn't waste them, but I have already started using cloth wipes (baby washclothes) just because they are easier. Great use for a peri bottle too! My old one is a "squirt gun" in the baby pool :o)
once again; just when i needed an answer here you guys are writing it. can someone post their favorite bought cloth wipes? what are peri bottles? (i had my babies in australia and never heard of this). yes i need that wipes solution recipe too. ive only used water and it doesnt quite seem right to me. waiting for your great advice!
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I love this idea, I do the exact same thing that you do!
I admire you for switching. I've considered it, but every time I do, in the end I realize I'd still be buying wipes for all the other uses I love them for. Your bottle of water that your baby is holding, do you do a soap/water solution or just water?
It's so funny, I saw the peri bottle in the pic and laughed. I saw the peri bottle in my bathroom closet and instantly thought, bingo!I dissovle a baby bit in there and use half to pour over wipes in my old wipe warmer, and the other half, I save for when I add fresh wipes to the warmer. I really love not having to shell out 10 bucks for a box of generic wipes!
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