Before we invested in cloth diapers, we asked around for the
best advice our cloth diapering friends could give. One piece of wisdom that
kept cropping up over and over was to use cloth wipes along with our diapers.
If you think about it, cloth wipes make a lot of sense. Why throw a cloth
diaper into your pail or wet bag and then have to find a separate trash can for
a disposable wipes? It made sense logically, but logistically it seemed to pose
some problems. Should we keep the wipes wet all the time? What about a wipes
warmer? How do you take reusable wipes out of the house with you? Do you really
need premade wipes solution?
In the end, we decided to keep it simple. I made my own wipes
out of 7” by 7” flannel squares that I zig-zag stitched on my sewing machine.
Then, I bought 1 spray bottle (the type used by hair stylists to hold water)
and 1 travel size spritz bottle. I made my own wipes solution by mixing 1 cup
of water with ½ tsp lavender Dr.Bonner’s soap and ½ tsp baby oil. I put the
homemade solution into the spray bottle to use at home and into the spritz
bottle to put in the diaper bag. To use the wipes, just simply spray the wipe
before right before wiping baby then put the used wipe into the wet bag or pail
with the diaper.
Not the crafty type? There are plenty of readymade wipes and
wipe solution out there to try. In general, fleece wipes are going to be softer
and flannel wipes are going to be thinner to get in all the nooks and crannies.
There are also cotton and hemp options out there for families looking for
natural fibers. Some families also choose to soak their wipes in solution or
water so they’re always ready to be used. Wet wipes can be stored in a wipes
pouch, like the ones made by Planet Wise, or can be kept warm in a warmer.
Just like with diapers, every family is going to have their
own preferences. Whatever you choose,
cloth wipes are worth the investment. They’re also great for sticky fingers,
snotty noses, and little spills, so they’ll be useful for years to come.
Guest blogger, Heather, is a work-at-home violin and piano teacher, but she considers
her full-time job chasing around her two sons, ages 3-1/2 and 4 months.
She lives in Great Falls, Montana and loves getting outside and enjoying
her incredible surroundings.