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Everything You Need To Know About Cloth Wipes

 
Once you have gotten into the habit of cloth diapering your baby, you will inevitably begin to think about using cloth wipes as well. Cloth wipes are a good option for parents who became interested in cloth diapering for essentially the same reasons as cloth diapering. Cloth wipes do not create additional waste to fill up a landfill, are economically wise, and do not expose your little one to harmful or unknown substances.

As an added bonus, cloth wipes are much more effective at cleaning a messy diaper than disposable wipes. Cloth wipes are thicker than disposable wipes, which will protect your hands from getting any of the mess on your fingers.

If you have been cloth diapering, then your journey to transition to cloth wipes will be much easier. However, if you are attempting to start from scratch, then there is a lot to learn about the various options. Join us as we discuss everything you need to know about making the switch to cloth wipes.
 

 
As you begin to use cloth diapers you will also find that cloth wipes make a lot of sense. Ask yourself, what will you do with a dirty disposable wipe when you have no disposable diaper to roll it up in? Cloth wipes, like FuzziBunz Wonder Baby Wipe, are very easy to use because you just use them and wash them with your cloth diapers. Why spend money on disposable wipes and then throw them away?

One frequently asked question is, how do I store cloth wipes? We recommend using a small Rubbermaid or Tupperware type container that has a good seal. Use a larger one for home and a smaller one to go. Mix up a bunch of wipes solution in an old milk carton or juice container and then just use it to wet a clean batch of wipes. Since you are washing the diapers and wipes every two days or so, the wipes will stay fresh in the container between washes.
 

 
There are quite literally endless options for materials to craft your cloth baby wipes. If you are looking for luxury options, then there are pre-made wipes you can purchase from various sellers online. However, if you are more of a thrifty, economic-minded mom, then you may be interested in upcycling old t-shirts or towels to do the job.

The typical fabric used to make cloth baby wipes varies. Cotton terry, flannel, bamboo, and cotton are all options. If you have a baby with sensitive skin, then organic bamboo is going to be the least reactive material on the typical list.

If you’d rather purchase cloth wipes instead of making your own, we’ve got you covered. ImseVimse, FuzziBunz, and OsoCozy cloth baby wipes are extremely economical and very practical.

ImseVimse Organic Cotton Wipes

ImseVimse organic cotton baby wipes (available here on Amazon) are luxurious and practical! Each wipe measure 9″x9″ The ImseVimse organic cotton baby wipes will help you conquer the messiest changes! We recommend using plain water at home with your cloth wipes.

FuzziBunz Wonder Baby Wipe

The double-sided FuzziBunz Wonder baby wipes (available here on Amazon) are a great addition to any reusable diapering system. These wipes are made with 100% organically grown cotton on one side and luxurious quick clean up fleece on the other. Use one side to wipe up the mess, and the other to wipe baby nice and clean.

Size: 9in. X 9in.

OsoCozy Flannel Baby Wipes

Sold in 15 packs of mixed color trim.

The single-layer flannel baby wipes from OsoCozy (available here on Amazon) are a perfect addition to your cloth diaperings. Simply dampen the wipe with some warm water, and it is ready to use. Toss the wipe into the diaper pail when finished. These diaper wipes can be laundered with the cloth diapers.

The 8″x 8″ single layer cotton flannel baby wipes fit perfectly into most wipe warmers. These eco-friendly wipes are pocketbook-friendly as well.

 
This question has a slightly complicated answer. The number of wipes you need for your baby largely depends on when you are making the transition to the cloth wipe. If you have a newborn, for example, then you are going to need a larger stash. Further, each child is unique, so you may find that you need more or less than our recommended number.

Cloth Wipes for a Newborn

A breastfed newborn can poop a surprising number of times in a single day. Newborns can poop anywhere from 3 to 12 times in a single day! That is a lot of poop. We recommend beginning with a stash of around 50 wipes for a newborn. If you find that you need more, you can always add to your collection over time.

Cloth Wipes For a Toddler

Toddlers have a far less messy lifestyle. You should be safe with around 30 wipes for their infrequent stools that happen anywhere from once per day to once every three or four days.
 

 
If you cloth diaper, it makes sense to use cloth wipes as well. Otherwise, when you have a dirty diaper, you are challenged to make it to two separate containers with a poopy diaper in one hand and disposable wipes in the other. If you use cloth wipes, you can just throw them all in together! It is really, very simple.

I use two different systems at home. Upstairs, where we mainly just nap, sleep and bathe, I keep a basket with dry cloth wipes, bottom spray, my diaper cream, and a few snappis.
 

 
When I’m ready to do a change, I just grab my spray and a couple of wipes, and I’m set.
 

 
I love a pre-made spray with a little scent to it, since I am dealing with the smell of poop, but some people choose to use only water in a spray bottle. Others choose to use BabyBits dissolved in water and add it to their spray bottle.

Downstairs, where we spend most of our time, I use warm, wet cloths for baby’s bottom. I have a Prince Lionheart Cloth Wipes Warmer (mine is a pre-cloth diaper wipe warmer, so now they don’t have the pull-through top designed for disposable wipes).
 

 
I know some people pre-soak their wipes and then place them in the warmer, but I’m all about easy, so this is what I do:

Fill the warmer about half full with distilled water. We have funky water here in West Virginia, and I find it lasts a bit longer if I use distilled water.

Usually, I add one BabyBit to the water and let it melt. Unfortunately, I ran out last weekend. This time I’m going with plain water-that works too!
 

 
When it has dissolved, I grab a stack of folded wipes. They fit nicely just folded in half.
 

 
I press them into the water so they become saturated.
 

 
Then I let them sit that way until I need them.
 

 
I find that a great deal of the water evaporates. If I run out of wet wipes and the water still seems fresh, I add a new pile of wipes. I dump out the water and rinse the warmer every 3-4 days.
 

 
Ultimately, this will boil down to your personal preference. Many parents choose to store their cloth wipes dry and then simply wet them right before they need to use them. Others choose store cloth wipes already wet and ready to go.

Dry

There are a few plus sides to choosing to store your cloth wipes in a dry environment. Essentially, you can just pile up a stack of wipes next to the changing table and run them under water as you discover a messy diaper. This option makes for a straightforward process for storage and use.

Wet

Storing wet wipes is a bit more complicated, but many parents prefer the convenience of having the wipes ready to go. Using a wet bag or a container, you can simply prepare your homemade wipe solution and store the wipes in the solution until you are ready to use them.

One of the significant downsides to storing cloth wipes in a wet solution is that they do not last nearly as long as disposable wipes. This is because you will not be using any harmful chemicals to preserve the wipes (which is a good thing). However, without chemicals, your homemade solution will sour in a few days. Your wipes will also mildew if you keep them in wet storage for too long.

Some parents who prefer having a homemade wipe solution to the use of simple water might consider storing their wipes dry, and placing the solution into a spray bottle. Your wipes solution is still going to sour before disposable wipes would, but it will last a few weeks in a spray bottle. If you choose this method, then you can store your wipes dry and simply spritz them before you need to use them.
 

 
If you are committed 100% to cloth wipes, then using them while out and about is an entirely viable option. You simply need a wet bag and a dirty bag. If you are using a simple water solution, then you can simply wet the wipe in the restroom or using a bottle of water. Keeping a bottle of water in your diaper bag is a good idea for several reasons.

Some parents choose to use disposable options when they are on the go. This is easier than the hassle of cloth wipes and is an acceptable option when circumstances are beyond your control.

 
When you already choose to cloth diaper your baby, then you simply throw the wipes into the same diaper pail and wash them all together. This is a super convenient switch to cloth wipes when you are already choosing to cloth diaper.

A little tip to make laundering your cloth wipes a little bit easier is to utilize toilet paper for unusually large messes. Simply wipe the mess a bit before using the wipe to avoid having excess stool on the wipe in the laundry.

 
Making the switch to cloth wipes is easy, especially if you are already a cloth diapering family. You can make your wipes as simple or as fancy as you choose to make them. No matter what decisions you make surrounding how to store and how to wet your cloth wipes, the important decision you made is to protect your baby from harmful chemicals that lie in the disposable wipes sold on store shelves.