Any tips on the best cloth wipes to use?

Ashia - posted on 04/21/2010

I bought baby wash cloths at garage sales- very cheap. I use an old wipes container, put the cloths in dry and pour water ( nothing else) over them till damp. I actually just keep a gallon of water next to the changing table. I put diapers and wipes in all together wash and dry. EASY and cheap!!

Kari - posted on 04/20/2010

I second having a variety of wipes- it's nice to have some choices, depending on the job! :)

I started using a few drops of geranium oil in my solution and I LOVE it. It makes my diapers smell divine after washing them.

If you buy wipes, the BumGenius bamboo are awesome. I made some with light flannel and some that are fleece and some terry.

Kim - posted on 04/20/2010

i have tons of different wipes. Most are soft on one side and textured on the other. My mom always says "we just used wash clothes when you were little" so get some cheap wash clothes even! I do have some wipes that I think were cheap baby wash clothes. I use a Prince Lionheart Warmies wipe warmer made for cloth wipes. When I re-fill it I take the current ones in there and put the new on the bottom. I use a similar solution as Melisa. When we go out I use a plastic bag. The wipes are already wet so I just put them in a plastic bag and throw it in the diaper bag.

Haley - posted on 04/19/2010

www.peekaboobottoms.com --- it is a store in Welland, ON (and online) I LOVE their wipes! There are a couple different styles, but are all so soft. I use them for everything....a drool absorber (he sucks on them), wash cloth (great for solid feedings), bath toy (there are some with very fun designs on them on the one side and bright colours on the other. I also use Bummis Bum Cleaner .,.. it makes the poop easy to wipe off and I have used both a disposable wipe and cloth wipe with it...and it smells citrusy (is this a word??). I also have a Wipe warmer from the same store (lion heart brand) and I put some water in there with a Punkin Booty Bit and it keeps the water disinfected and smelling awesome! Totally safe for cloth diapers! All of my products I get from this store!

Leigh - posted on 04/19/2010

Terry cloth does work really well. I bouth a few cheap packets of terry wash cloths to use. I put one day's worth of wet cloth wipes in a warmer at the changing station and carried a travel wipe dispenser with a few wipes in it for when we were out.

Wendy - posted on 04/19/2010

I use fleece. It is soft and pills up so it grabs as well. The best part is you do not have to sew. I keep them in an old wipes container with some water, a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and maybe some Lavender Oil as well. For the diaper bag I have a small pocket to keep dry wipes in and use a peri bottle with wipes solution in it to spray on the wipes as I use them. It really is easy. As far as size goes, I like the 6 inch by 12 inch cute. I also let them swim in the container and wring them out as I use them.

Anne - posted on 04/19/2010

I cut up an old towel and sewed the edges with the serger. If you make them about 7 inches square they can be folded in half and placed into a disposable wipes box with a lift lid. I use 1tbs vinegar in 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water to wet them and just loosley ring them out before putting them in the box. For outings I use a snaplock.

Heidi - posted on 04/18/2010

I have a wide variety of cloth wipes.

My first ones were plain cheapo washcloths from Target - I think they were 12/$3. Those 2 dozen were enough for a wash cycle of changes, as I hardly ever had to use more than one.

Then my mom made me some: Flannel on one side, Fleece on the other - sewn together, turned and topstitched - those are GREAT wipes!

I won some in a giveaway - Cotton Terry - really thick and serged on the edges. More great wipes.

I made some of my own - Bamboo Velour on one side and Flannel on the other - turned and topstitched. These are my favorite so far.

I also have some goodmama wipes - Bamboo Velour and Bamboo Terry - excellent wipes - just a bit small for my taste.

A good friend uses baby washcloths. Another uses cut up squares of flannel. And yet another uses cut up squares of receiving blanket.

As for the 'wet' factor - we just run ours under the faucet and get them we with warm water. With the toddler, I also use a wipes solution in a squirt bottle. With the infant, just warm water.

Megan - posted on 04/18/2010

I use baby washcloths. I have a variety of terry, hemp, fleece and flannel (I just pick them up when they are on sale...or make from whatever I have on hand). I use a spray bottle with a solution that I found the recipe for online.

2 cups water
2 T Babywash (whatever you use)
2 T olive oil

with the option of adding 2 drops of tea tree oil (for sensitive skin) or 4 drops of lavender oil for fragrance.

I mix it up and put it in the small spray bottle for the diaper bag, and a big spray bottle for the changing table. No mess. Just don't forget to shake it up before you use it. It separates.

Then you can just toss the wipes in the diaper pail with the dipes.

Mary - posted on 04/18/2010

I just bought a pack of the gerber washcloths--they are thin and soft and come in a pack of 8. I also bought a wipe warmer (the prince lionheart) to put them in. You have a warm, wet wipe every time. I take them out of the washing machine and put them right into the warmer.

Jennifer - posted on 04/18/2010

I used to just use flannel but I've found that one side flannel, the other side terry is AWESOME. Sometimes the flannel just smears poo around where as terry will actually grip it and is still soft on the skin.

I keep my wipes dry and use a squirt bottle of mama-made wash solution (1 tbsp baby oil, 1 tbsp baby wash, 1 c. distilled water) and wet them as necessary.

Lori - posted on 04/18/2010

I just bought big packs of plain white adult wash cloths from walmart. it was $4.50 for 18 wash cloths. and we use the whole thing as a wipe. no cutting or anything. and then just run under the faucet before use. wash them with our CDs

Angela - posted on 04/17/2010

ok so there are a lot of recipes for wipe solutions online and u can put them/store them in an old baby wipe container or any container with somewhat easy access you know the cheap baby clothes work great and u have more room in the wipe container to fit more then cut up fabric or towel

Jessica - posted on 04/16/2010

Also, if you're worried about diaper rash, the best thing for your little cuttie is what we like to call "naked bottom time." That's right, just lay your kiddo down with a few whatever (diapers, blanket, etc) to catch the pee if it happens and let the air blow. Also, blowing on the diaper area after changing helps to keep things nice. My kids have never had a diaper rash (3 years and 4 months) and they're happy.

Alissa - posted on 04/16/2010

I also use squares of fleece. I found a bunch of secondhand receiving blankets at a local store for $1 each and cut them up, stitched the edges to prevent losing them to fraying - i have a tub with pop up lid that i throw the dirty "rags" into - end of week i wash on sanitize cycle with white towels. i use them with a homemade solution in a spray bottle (smaller size you find in travel section of stores) - 1 cup of water, 1 tbsp baby shampoo or liquid baby bath soap, 1 tbsp baby oil (roughly anyway - i don't actually measure it) - I have saved a lot doing this especially since you use fewer - they clean a whole lot better, faster

Sherri - posted on 04/15/2010

I like the Bum Genius wipes, but when I made my own I just got cheap receiving blankets and cut them into squares. I don't sew so I just used them as is. As far as the solution, I have a mixture in a spray bottle at the changing table. I use water, a splash of baby oil, squirt of baby wash, and a few drops of tee tree oil. Works great!

Sherri
http://www.cutiepoopsandbottoms.com

Vicky - posted on 04/15/2010

I made my wipes from terry towelling material & flannel (cute plane design for my boy!) then sewed together. i just have a spray bottle with a solution of water, baby wash (avado my fav) carrier oil i.e olive oil, lavender oil & camomile (i used water til 6mths but found once solid food poos kicked in needed something abit more to clean!!! lol) My son kept getting nappy rash with the commercial wipes but once i changed to cloth wipes he hasnt had a rash!! i just wash them with his cloth nappies easy peasy & cheap!!

Helen - posted on 04/14/2010

hi :-)

i do the same as melissa suggested above. my baby is 3months old and we have used cloth wipes and aoi's since she was born. found the store bought wipes just smeared everything, not wiped!

i bought about 10 regular cloth nappies and cut them into squares. i made a solution os baby wash, tea tree oil and hot water and soak them until they are damp and keep them in a tupperware container. only make enough for about 2 days at a time so they dont dry out or go mouldy. just get washed with the nappies, easy!

good luck! :-)

Lani - posted on 04/14/2010

I got some really thin washcloths & just keep them folded next to the basin in the bathroom. When baby needs changing I just wet one under the tap on the way to the bedroom. Personally I prefer the fabric to be on the thinner side, I find it's easier to get into all the creases.
When we're going out I just wet a couple & put them in a ziplock bag. Easy!

Danielle - posted on 04/14/2010

I am a big fan of the Thirsties Fab wipes too because they are so soft and absorbent however I don't usually use them when I am out as they are a bit bulky. If you are looking to sew your own either a fleece or a bamboo would work great (I have used both and I find bamboo the easiest for on the go wipes).

I personally don't bother bringing a spray bottle with me when I go out as there is almost always a sink or faucet of some kind to wet them at. If you do want to bring one with you though make sure it is small so you don't feel like you are lugging a million things around. At home I like to wet the wipes with a solution and keep them in the wipes warmer. Good luck! :)

Brenda - posted on 04/13/2010

I used a spray bottle (get a sturdy one. Mine was a stainless steel one for gardening) and made my own solution. I got the recipe online and forget the exact specifications, but it was about 2/3 water and 1/3 olive oil. Then add a squirt or two of antibacterial soap (gentle one), several drops of tea tree oil and shake. I pre-sprayed my cloth wipes for the diaper bag (and stored them in a plastic wipe container), but at home I would just spray them as I used them. Terry cloth would work for the wipes themselves. I just bought a large package of lower cost washcloths (you just need to ensure they are relatively soft). The cloth wipes they sell are probably slightly better, but too expensive...regular washcloths or terry squares are just as good.

Karen - posted on 04/13/2010

For starters, I am a very lazy mommy, and needed the easiest wipes ever. I am also broke because I am a college student. I used all those silly little receiving blankets to make my baby wipes. I just cut them up to fit flat in the tupperware container I was using. 7x8, but you pick what ever size you like for your container. I did not sew the edges, I dont care if they fray in the wash. I put the wipes in the container, but in a seperate glass I mix the ingriedients. alomost 2 cups of water, 2 squirts of baby wash and 2 squirts of baby oil, mix with a fork or spoon, and splash between all the layers of the wipes in the container. This splashing just helps to spread any oil that didnt mix well. This batch only lasts a few days, and either I run out or the batch will start to smell from being wet in a box for that long. I wash the whole thing with the diapers and start a new batch. I have plenty of recieving blankets cut to size now so I never run out. I keep a small spray bottle of the liquids and a few dry squares of the fabric in my diaper bag for outings. I keep a ziplock in there for the wet diapers and the wipes come home as well. My son is two now and this has worked very well all this time.

Eileen - posted on 04/12/2010

We got a bunch of the thin 100% cotton men's hankerchiefs and dyed them for napkins for our wedding and had about a hundred left so we've just been using them. They're soft & 100% cotton and were ~4$/12...

Jeanne Marie - posted on 04/11/2010

Two recommendations -

For actual cloth wipes I have been using Thirsties Baby 6-Pack Fab Cloth Wipes. They are super soft and wash up really well. The other thing I would recommend is avoiding wipes whenever you can. My mother, who is a nurse, suggested washing the baby's bottom in the sink, as it is the most gentle way to care for the baby's skin and will help you avoid diaper rash almost completely. Basically, just fill the sink with warm water, sit the baby in it, gently use your hand to clean the baby (only use the wipe if absolutely necessary). If the baby had a bowel movement, do a wash and a rinse. Dry him with a towel gently or air dry, and diaper. Done.

Andrea - posted on 04/11/2010

I use flanel wipes and serged the edges so they don't fray. at home I use prince lionheart wipes warmer, i wet the wipes with water in the sink wring they out so they are not dripping and put in warmer. When i'm out i use a ziploc bag with a few water wet wipes in the bag. And when i'm done with wipe everything goes in diaper pail/wet bag if out. I tried using all the different wipe solutions and found it easier to use water. hope that helps.

Jessica - posted on 04/08/2010

Hey I would take an old plastic wipes container from the disposables or even a small/med. sized tupperware and put the terry cloth squares in their with some water even a tad of baby shampoo/soap if you like.

Helen - posted on 04/08/2010

fleece. £3.50 for a three year supply!

Heather - posted on 04/07/2010

I just started this a month ago!! I use the same solution as Melisa and have really enjoyed it! As far as the wipes themselves, I just cut up some old receiving blankets into squares and they have worked great! You usually will have some old ones lying around (or someone you know does) or can buy them consignment for super cheap.



As far as disposable "cloth wipes", I bought a whole bunch of the Kleenex Viva paper towels (on sale), put them in a big ziplock bag and poured solution over them...then they are good to go in your diaper bag or wherever! That way you're not carrying around stinky diapers AND wipes. You can just throw the wipes away! It's the same luxury as disposables, but much more cost effective and I think gentler on babies bottom! Good luck and hope this helped! :)

Bobbie - posted on 04/06/2010

I actually have seen the idea of sing terry cloths sewn together with fleece on the other side. As my baby still hasn't come yet, I have only heard that these are wonderful. But, I have some already made and ready to go.

Marie - posted on 04/06/2010

I got a 30pack of little baby wash cloths for $10 and I use the peri bottle the hospital gave, and I fill it up with couple tablespoons of coconut oil, Dr Bronners baby castille soap, and a few drops of lavender. Since coconut oil solidifies I keep the solution in a wipes warmer I was given. My babys bum always looks wonderful and smooth.

When she was newborn and we were using disposables and disposable wipes it was horrible and not to mention the wasted money, the enviroment etc.

Stefie - posted on 04/06/2010

I use baby wash clothes and a spray bottle. I use very small spray bottles so I can take them with me. The solution I like best is water, baby soap, olive oil, and a few drops of tea tree oil.

Jane - posted on 04/05/2010

Thank you - thats great!! i didn't know anyone to ask, so am pleased i tried here! :) will give it a go!

Melisa - posted on 04/05/2010

Before I had my babe I was at a "hippy" baby store that sold cloth etc. I bought a pack of 5 bamboo terry wipes for like $18 (rediculous!). I regretted it immediately and decided to head to the fabric store to check out how badly I had just been ripped off. REAL bad! I bought 1 metre of the same bamboo terry for $18 and out of that I got 2 dozen wipes! I used the squares I had paid for as my cut-outs, sewed the edges so they didn't fray and voilla! It is the most beautiful, lush material to put on your babes bum!



When it comes to using them, I have a tupperwear container I keep them in next to her change pad and fill it up every few days with fresh wipes. I use water bottles and just pour the solution over the wipes until they are damp (only when I fill it up -- if you keep the lid on, they won't dry up). No need to find water every change. For when I go out, I throw a bunch in a zip-lock bag. Too easy. Wash them with my diapers!



I also make my own wipe solution which is easier than buying it. Once you have all the ingredients it takes minuites to make a water bottle full.



2 cups of water

2 Tbsp Olive oil

2 Tbsp of your favorite baby soap (I use Dr. Bronnars but since it is concentrated I only use 1 Tbsp)

2 drops of 100% pure essential Tee-tree oil (anti-bacterial benefits, prevents/heals diaper rash)

2 drops of 100% pure essential Lavender oil (calming and nice smelling)



If it ever seems like babe is getting a red bum, I throw another 1/2 tbsp olive oil in the solution and it never starts or dissapears immediately!

Majaliwa - posted on 04/05/2010

Jane, I do exactly what Jan does as well. When I'm out and about I carry a small spray bottle with me filled with a cloth wipes solution (my personal fave is Booty Cubes), my diapers of course, and I stuff each one with two cloth wipes for changes. My son has had huge blowouts and I've always managed to get it all cleaned up with 2 wipes. And if I'm going to a mall or something similar, I usually don't take any wipes solution because there is almost always water around that I can use to wet them. I then just toss them in my wetbag with the dirty diaper and wash them together.

SHOPPING LIST:
2 dozen cloth wipes sized 5" x 7" made from 100% cotton terry cloth
2 small 4 ounce spray bottles (one for home and one for on-the-go) filled with solution
1 pack of Booty Cubes Wipes solution (lasts about 6 months)

RESOURCES:
Cloth Wipes:
http://www.pootersdiapers.com/accessorie...

Booty Cubes Wipes Solution:
http://www.pootersdiapers.com/accessorie...

Spray Bottle:
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/othe...

Jan - posted on 04/05/2010

I use squares of fleece, they work so much better then flannel doesa, terry would probably work well to because it is textured like fleece is. I use a spray bottle of water to wet the wipes. When we go out I either take the spray bottle with me in my bag or if we are going to the mall or something I don't bother with taking water because everywhere I would change a diaper there is a sink so I just wet afew wipes on my way into the bathroom before I change the baby. You can almost always get away with using only 2 wipes no matter how big of a mess because cloth wipes work so much better then disposable ones do.