No one wants to put harsh chemicals on their baby’s skin. And yet, commercial diaper wipes are full of them.
What if I told you that it was crazy easy to make your own cloth diaper wipe solution?
It literally takes minutes and you can rest easy knowing your baby isn’t taking on any additional toxin load. Most cloth diaper wipe solution recipes contain similar main ingredients, which are used for the same reason in each recipe. This saves you time and money!
These are the common ingredients in the cloth diaper wipe solution and why they’re included
- Oil: Helps the wipe glide across baby’s skin and keeps skin soft
- Soap: Cleanses by removing all traces of urine and feces
- EO: (Essential Oil) Added for antibacterial and/or aromatherapy purposes.
- Water: The main ingredient in each recipe, cleanses the diaper area and dilutes the other ingredients
The type and amounts of oil, soap, EO and water that goes into a recipe is what gives each cloth wipe solution its own distinct “personality.”
How to Make and Use Cloth Diaper Wipe Solution
When mixing solutions I’ve found that it works best to start with water, then oil and finally soap. By starting with water you’ll avoid making tons of bubbles, and the oil will coat your measuring tools so the soap slips right off. Put water in microwave for 1-2 minutes or boil on stove (to avoid bacteria or mold growth).
There are many different ways to store and apply cloth diaper wipe solutions. Try a few of the following ideas to find the one that works best for your family. You may discover that one system works great at home and another works great away from home. Most of the time it’s easiest to gently mix the cloth wipe solution in a bottle with a cover, then pour it into the storage container. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Use a spray bottle to spritz baby’s bottom or the cloth wipes. (For baby’s comfort I prefer spraying the cloth wipes)
- Use a bottle with a pull-up spout (like on bottled-water bottles) to dribble solution onto the cloth wipes.
- Warm solution and place in an insulated container to provide warm wipes for baby.
- Place the solution into a commercial baby wipes container and dip cloth wipes into the solution.
- Place cloth wipes in a commercial baby wipes container and pour wipes solution over wipes.
- A commercial baby wipes container can be placed in a wipes warmer to provide cozy warm wipes for baby.
Don’t store solution or wet wipes for a long time because they can become musty and the wet wipes may even grow mildew – ewww! Check your solution and wet wipes daily, and mix smaller batches of solution frequently instead of large batches less often to avoid mustiness. I mix fresh solution once a week, store it in a bottled-water bottle, and have not had any problems with mustiness.
Cloth Diaper Wipe Solution Common Ingredients
While each recipe has its own variation, these are the main ingredients that will pop up again and again. Product links are affiliate links to my favorites.
Essential Oils
1. My hands down favorite brand is Rocky Mountain Oils (also known as Native American Nutritionals). These are seriously the BEST brand I have ever used. They are strong. And I mean strong. I have seen some amazing things happen when using this brand.
2. GEO carries a great line of essentials oils and I have always had success with their oils. They are adding new blends frequently and are definitely worth a look!
3. I am really enjoying Plant Therapy essential oils as well. They are easy on the budget as well as being a high quality oil.
Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – this makes your baby’s bottom so smooth!
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Coconut Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Baby Wash
- Baby Shampoo
- Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap
Cloth Diaper Wipe Solution Recipe Formulas
Almond ‘n’ Chamomile
2 Chamomile Tea Bags
2 Teaspoons Almond Oil
2 Cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Aloe Vera Solution
¼ Cup Aloe Vera Gel
2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
2 Cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Anti-Fungal
Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Calendula Oil
A Few Drops Lavender Essential Oil
A Few Drops Tea Tree Oil
1/4 Cup 100% Aloe Vera Gel
1 Cup Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Anti-Fungal 2
1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Calendula Oil
A Few Drops Lavender Oil
A Few Drops Tea Tree Oil
1/4 Cup 100% Aloe Vera Gel
1/2 Cup Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Anti-Fungal 3
2 cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
1 Tbsp. White Vinegar
1/4 cup Aloe gel
1 Tbsp. Calendula Oil
2 drops Chamomile Essential Oil
2 drops Tea Tree Oil
Basic Wipe Solution
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1/2 cup Baby Wash
2 cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Basic Wipe Solution 2
2 cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Baby Body Wash (natural and organic of course)
1 Tbsp. Baby Lotion (natural and organic of course)
Castile Solution
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap comes in several yummy scents!
1 Tablespoon almond, Apricot, Or Other Oil
1 Tablespoon Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap
2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
1 Drop Lavender Oil
1 Cup Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Chamomile ‘n’ Honey
Brew the tea, add the honey, and drink any leftovers!
1 Chamomile Tea Bag
1 Teaspoon Raw Honey
1 Cup Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Essential Oils Recipe
3 Tbls. Jojoba Oil
1 Tsp. Tea Tree Oil
1 Tsp Chamomile Oil
1 Tsp. Lavender Oil
1 Tsp Gernanium Oil
3/4 cup Witch Hazel
Fruit ‘n’ Veggie
1 Teaspoon Fruit Or Vegetable-Based Oil (Apricot, Olive, Grapeseed, Etc)
1 Tablespoon Vegetable-Based Soap (Like Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile)
1 Teaspoon 100% Aloe Vera Gel
1 Cup Distilled Or Boiled Tap Water
Just One
Just one “something” of each ingredient for this recipe.
1 Chamomile Tea Bag
1 Teaspoon Oil
1 Teaspoon Baby Bath Or Shampoo (natural and organic of course)
1 Drop Lavendar Oil
1 Cup Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Lanolin & Glycerine
Lanolin and glycerine moisturize without oil. Lansinoh can be found in many local stores.
1 Tablespoon Liquid Glycerine
1/4 Teaspoon Liquid Lanolin (100% Pure)
1 Tablespoon Baby Wash (natural and organic of course)
1-3 Drops EO
4 Cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Olive ‘n’ Tea Tree
A great natural wipes solution.
1/4 cup olive Oil (Extra Virgin Not Necessary)
1/8 Cup Baby Bath (natural and organic of course)
A Few Drops Tea tree oil
4 cups Distilled or Boiled Tap Water
Zany Apricot Solution
The Apricot Oil Smells Heavenly!
1 Tablespoon Apricot Oil
1 Tablespoon Unscented Baby Wash (Natural And Organic Of Course)
3 Cups Distilled Or Boiled Tap Water
Please note – you can substitute the baby wash and shampoo with Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap products. You may not have to use as much since it is so concentrated.
panda says
I love using the cloth wipes and homemade solution – much easier on the bottom!
To prevent any mold or bacteria growth, I just keep the wipes dry until I need them then just use a spritzer to spray some solution on his bottom and just wipe. We use an almond oil & chamomile (both steeped tea and a few drops of EO) solution, but I add a little baby wash and a smidge of vinegar to mine. I’ll have to try the apricot mix next time I make some up. : )
CaveGirl says
Thanks so much for this! I’ve been doing cloth diapers for a while but have been really wanting to do cloth wipes lately.
Jess says
This may be a silly question but what cloth do
You use? A burp rag? Washcloth? Anything specific.
We do not cloth diaper but I was thinking about it recently to save money, now that Peanut is potty-trained, this would just be for Pistachio, and in the hopes of another to come.
Herryponting says
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Thank you admin
Dr. Bronners Tea Tree Soap