Cloth Wipes 101
If you are cloth diapering your baby and still using disposable wipes, this guide is for you! Cloth wipes are simple to use and care for – keep reading to find out how!
Cloth wipes can be made from many different materials – cotton, fleece, flannel, cotton velour…the list goes on. Many cloth diaper companies make their own brand of cloth wipes.
Examples of commercially-available cloth wipes
Cloth wipes can also be purchased on etsy.com or you can even make your own! There are lots of great cloth wipes tutorials online; if you can sew a straight line, you can make your own wipes.
Cloth wipes are so easy to use. Just keep them right next to their diapers so they are ready to go for diaper changes. Many wipes can even fit into a disposable wipe container and can be dispensed through the top just like a disposable wipe.
Cloth wipes in disposable wipe container
There are many cloth wipe solutions commercially available as well as many homemade recipes. Many moms just use water. Cloth wipe solution can keep in a spray bottle, jar, or disposable wipe box – what works best for you! During diaper changes, you can either wet your wipe first (or just pull out your wet wipe if you store them in the solution) or wet baby’s bottom first. You will probably find that you use less cloth wipes to get baby clean than disposables.
Cleaning cloth wipes is simple. Spray them just as you do the diaper and toss them in your pail or wetbag. When it’s time for diaper laundry, wash them with your diapers. Done! And there’s no chance of a forgotten disposable wipe making it into the diaper laundry!
Cloth wipes aren’t just great for baby bottoms; they are also great for wiping hands and faces. Reusable “unpaper” products are gaining popularity. You may even find that switching to reusable cloth wipes encourages you to try switching to other reusable products!
“Unpaper” kitchen towels and wipes
Kelly is a licensed audiologist and mom to a 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, knitting, and relaxing with her friend, iPad. Follow her on Twitter at @KellyFShelton or at MortarBoredMom.blogspot.com
I'm Julie, a former cloth diaper retailer who discovered a passion for the industry. Now, instead of selling cloth diapers, I advocate them and promote small businesses I love who sell and manufacture them.
I'm the wife of a fireman and mother of three. I have a daughter and identical twin sons.
Rachel N says
I have been using cloth wipes for years now, I find they do a much better job at cleaning messes than disposable wipes.
stefanie k says
Great article!!
Beth Ann says
We have been doing cloth wipes for about a year now (since my daughter was born!) and I feel like it’s saved us so much money.
We have some Thirsties wipes that we ended up using for her little face after meal time because they’re so soft! We like a little two ply WAHM wipe for tushies. :)
stephanie @ Housewife Mama says
We are definitely advocates of cloth wipes, it just makes sense.