Cloth Wipes: The Final Diapering Frontier

If you've been with me this long you probably know that I cloth diaper. And I absolutely love it! Like many others, cloth wipes were the final frontier. Uncharted waters that I was very cautious to dive into.

However, once you make the switch to cloth diapers disposable wipes become an annoyance. Where can you put the wipes while you're changing a diaper so you can throw them away without touching poop?? Why are you still throwing money away with each diaper change? And why are you still putting harmful chemicals onto your baby's bottom? (even the "sensitive" wipes have some pretty harsh chemicals in them-- take a look!)

Using cloth wipes really is a no-brainer once you start using cloth diapers. They get thrown into the pail and washed with the diapers so there's no fuss there. I make my own wipes (flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other), make my own solution, and store them in an old wipes container. I'm becoming a sewing junkie, so there will be diaper tutorials in the near future  ;)



Sew Your Own Wipes:
I'm definitely NOT a seamstress or a tailor, so this is in no way intended to be a professional opinion. This is just the way I make my baby wipes. These are turned and top-stitched, since I don't own a serger and zig-zagging wasn't holding up as well as I would have liked.

1. Decide what kind(s) of fabric you want to use. I use flannel and terry cloth since I like the way each of them works (gentle when I need it to be and capable of some heave "dooty" cleaning when I need it to be). You can use old baby towels (terry cloth) and receiving blankets (flannel) to make this a no-cost project (except for thread). Make sure you wash whatever fabric you choose to pre-shrink.
2. Decide on what size you want your wipes to be. Mine are 4"x8" so they'll fit into an old commercial wipes container, and so they're big enough to get the job done. I've had 4"x4", but they seemed to just be too small for us, and 8"x8" is too big, but you might prefer the extra surface area. 
3. Trace your pattern and cut out your wipes. I traced a pattern onto an old cardboard box and used that as my template. If you're going to turn and top-stitch remember to add 1/4" all around your pattern (for my 4" x 8" wipes I cut the fabric out 4.5" x 8.5"). If you'd like rounded corners you can use a quarter to trace in the corners of your pattern.
4. Start sewing! This will vary a little depending on what style you choose, but this is the way I put mine together when I first started, since I don't have a serger. Don't follow these steps for T&T!

• Place the two fabrics together, wrong sides facing. You should see the print(s) on the outsides.
• Pin all the way around.
• If you have a serger, you just serge all the way around your wipe here and you're all done! Admire your work!
  
  If, like me, you don't own one, keep going:
• Straight stitch all the way around your wipe, making sure to back-stitch at the beginning and end so your seams won't pull out. I do mine about 3/8"" from the edge, leaving just enough room for my zig-zag. You can adjust this if you'd like your zig-zag to be taller or smaller than mine.
• Zig-zag stitch all the way around your wipe, between the edge and your straight stitch. You want the top of your stitched to go over the edge of the fabric a little to prevent fraying as you wash your wipes.
• Trim off your excess thread and any frayed edges and admire your work! They'll get better the more you make, and no one will care if they aren't perfect :)

         Turned and Top-Stitched Baby Wipes:

• Place your two fabrics together, right sides facing. You should see the backsides of your fabrics on the outsides.
• Pin all the way around. You might want to mark a place about 2 inches long where you won't sew (this is where we'll turn it right side out when we're done stitching).
  
  
• Start at the bottom of your mark and straight stitch all the way around your wipe, stopping at the top of your mark so you leave an opening. I use the edge of my presser foot as a guide
• Trim the corners of your wipe by cutting across the corner at the peak of your stitch and then down the sides near your stitches. This alleviates some bulk. Be careful not to cut into your stitching!
  
  
• To start turning, place your thumb into the opening you've left and put it into one of the corners of your wipe, pinch it with your index finger, and turn that corner. Repeat for the three remaining corners and then flip your wipe right-side-out.
  
  

  

  1. Thumb inside

  

  2. Pinched

3. Corner turned

Turned right side out

• Press your seams with an iron. Be sure to fold in the fabric at the opening and press it evenly with the rest of the wipe.
  
  
• Straight stitch all the way around your wipe, as close to the edge as you can. You want to make sure you close up the opening we left earlier. Again, use back-stitches to keep your stitches from unraveling. And we're done!
  
  

Storing Your Baby Wipes:
There are essentially two ways you can store your babywipes: wet or dry. You can store your wipes in an old wipes container and pour your solution over the wipes so they're ready to go whenever you need them, or you can store them dry and use a squirt bottle to add solution to your wipes whenever you need them.

Wet storage is more convenient, however you will have to add tea tree or lavender oil to your solution to keep them from getting mildewy or moldy (ewww...).

While there is no chance of mold or bacteria growing on your wipes, dry storage means you'll have to wet wipes every time you need to change a diaper. They both work equally well and you can use the same solution, so it's just personal preference.



Baby Wipes Solution:

This is a very basic cloth wipes solution recipe that can be changed to suit your needs and personal taste, but will still get the job done. I opt for organic ingredients, but you can use whatever you have as long as your baby isn't irritated by it. When you mix, be sure to mix water, oils second, and soaps last so you don't create bubbles.

This recipe makes enough to cover about 20 wipes if you're using wet storage. If you're using dry storage you can just mix this up in your squirt bottle and shake it up a little before each use.

• 1/2 Cup Oil
• 1/2 Cup Soap or Baby Wash
• 2 Cups Water

If you're using wet storage, be sure to add a few drops of lavender and/or tea tree oil to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

For dry storage, use a squirt bottle or spray bottle to spray the solution either onto your wipes or directly onto baby's bottom.