To start out, you need to find a container to put your wipes in. Most people use Tupperware or some other sealed container. You can also put them in an old container of traditional baby wipes, which will give you the option of putting them in a wipe warmer. Once you have your container, you need to get a roll of Bounty paper towels (you’ll be sad if you use another brand, I promise), cut it in half, and remove the inner tube. This will give you two sets of rolls to use.
Once you have your other materials ready, it’s time to make your wipe solution. Now, if I were to give you all the recipes out there for natural [tag-tec]baby wipes[/tag-tec] that are available, it would probably take me 100 pages. Recipes for baby wipes are similar to [tag-self]recipes[/tag-self] for food: everyone has their own. Try different recipes and see which one works best for your baby. If you can’t find one you like, you can always come up with you own recipe. Most recipes contain water (boil then cool for sanitary reasons), baby shampoo or baby bath, and some kind of oil, gel or lotion. You may also find herbal ingredients that are generally for special treatments (anti-fungal wipes) or for aromatherapy.
Once you’re done making your perfect solution, you’re going to put the paper towels in the container and pour the solution over them. Let sit for 10 minutes, then turn upside down and let sit for ten more. If you’re using a container that leaks, make them in a sealed container then transfer them to the one you want later. Once the 20 minutes is up, your towels should be soaked through and ready for use. Just pull the inside towel up, seal your container, and you’re ready to go.
Take the second half of the paper towel roll and store it. Take care not to make too many wipes at once, since homemade wipes don’t have preservatives and artificial chemicals like regular baby wipes they will get moldy and musty if left too long. If you’re constantly having the problem of wipes going bad before you’re done with a roll, simply mix smaller batches of the solution and add them to the paper towels when you use them instead of ahead of time. This can be done by putting it in a spray bottle and spraying some on a wipe, or by dipping the wipe in some solution just before you’re ready to use it.
After you make a batch of [tag-cat]baby[/tag-cat] wipes, be sure to write down the recipe you used, especially if you’re trying several. This will let you know what works best and what may be too rough for your baby’s gentle skin. In no time, you’ll have the perfect homemade personalized baby wipes for your child.
What do I need to make homemade baby wipes?
You need three basic things: a sealable container (an old wipe container works perfectly and lets you use a wipe warmer), a roll of sturdy paper towels cut in half with the inner tube removed, and a wipe solution. Most solutions combine boiled-and-cooled water, baby shampoo or baby wash, and a little oil or lotion. Herbal ingredients can be added for special purposes such as antifungal protection.
How do I make the wipe solution and soak the paper towels?
Place the paper towel roll in your container, pour your solution over it, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then flip the container upside down and let it sit for another 10 minutes so the towels absorb evenly. After 20 minutes the towels should be fully saturated and ready to use — just pull the center towel up from the inside to start.
How long do homemade baby wipes last before going bad?
Because homemade wipes contain no preservatives, they can get moldy if left unused too long. Make smaller batches to use within a week or two. If you find they often go bad before you finish a roll, store the dry paper towels separately and apply the solution with a spray bottle or by dipping just before use — that way nothing sits wet for long.
Are homemade baby wipes safe for a baby’s skin?
Yes, and they can actually be gentler than commercial wipes because you control every ingredient. Write down the recipe you use each time, especially if you are testing several, so you know what works best for your baby’s skin and what might be too irritating. A simple starting point: boiled water, a gentle baby wash, and a small amount of oil.
About the author
Maya Bennett
Meet Maya Bennett Maya Bennett is a pregnancy and parenting writer and a mom of two. After navigating two very different pregnancies of her own — and years spent reading, researching, and trading stories with other expectant parents — she fell in love with helping families feel ready for what’s ahead. At More4Kids, Maya turns the big questions and quiet worries of pregnancy into warm, practical guidance, from the first positive test through the tender early days with a newborn. She believes every parent-to-be deserves clear answers and a little reassurance along the way.
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