Looking for new ways to save some money? I always am! Well, if you have little ones in diapers this is something you could try. Homemade baby wipes! I. love. them. I just wish I would've known about them sooner! They are super easy and cheap! For $10.00 I can either get 480 Target brand wipes, or 1,236 Bounty DIY wipes. (Even less if you have a Bounty coupon, or if they're on sale!) You obviously don't HAVE to spend $10.00 to make them. I only used that amount because that's what I was spending every two weeks on wipes. Now using these homemade wipes, I will only have to spend $10.00 every month and a half! (I have two in diapers, in case you were wondering "WHY SO MANY?!") I didn't include the wipe solution in the cost, because I used stuff I already have at my house, and I would continue to buy them for those other purposes. The wipe solution can be as cheap or expensive as you want, depending on what you want in it. There are several different recipes online if you are interested in using another one, but I went with the most basic.
Here's what you need:
- Bounty paper towel roll
- 1 gallon size zip-lock baggy (or old gallon size ice cream tub/container)
- 1 sharp knife
- wipe solution
Ingredients for wipe solution:
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of baby oil (you can substitute with coconut oil, and it works just as well)
- 1 tablespoon of baby bath wash (use whatever you bathe your baby in so that you know it is safe on their skin)
- (optional: you can add a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol if you'd like. This is meant to keep mold away, but if you are using a scented bath wash they usually have a little bit of alcohol in them, and that will work just as well.)
Every review or set of instructions I read said that Bounty worked best. Off brand ones tend to dissolve/fall apart easily. And, even over the other name brand ones Bounty was preferred. However, feel free to experiment if you'd like! I bought this 6 pack for $9.99
(UPDATE: Just bought an 8 pack at Target for $10.49! I heart saving.)
Take one roll and a sharp knife. I used a bread knife, but if you have an electric one I'm sure it would work great!
Cut the roll in half, length-wise, making it appear similar to a toilet paper roll. Store the other half of the roll away for later use. DON'T FORGET to put the knife away in a safe, out of reach place. (For all my fellow moms of toddlers.) ;)
Place one half of the roll in a gallon size zip-lock baggy (or some other seal-able container). Everyone else I've seen uses a tupperware container of some kind, but nothing I had at home would fit! And I was NOT about to go buy something just to try this out! So I improvised. And it worked beautifully. :)
Mix your wipe solution together and pour it right on top of the roll, making sure to saturate the entire top.
Seal it up, and let it set for approx. 3 minutes.
UPDATE: After you pour the solution on your wipes, if they seem
a bit soapy pour another 1/2 cup of water over the wipes for now, and change your measurements for next time. I had to modify the wipe solution measurements because I don't like them to be soapy or too wet. If your wipes seem too wet to you, squeeze the excess out in the sink. Then cut out another 1/2 of each ingredient for next time! The size and style of your roll may vary from what I have, and you just have to find what works for you!
Flip the roll upside down, and let it set another 3 minutes.
Remove the cardboard insert slowly, so that it doesn't tear in pieces.
If it unravels, that's okay, it should still come out just fine.
Now you can pull from the center to dispense the wipes if you wish to leave it in the baggy/container to store it.
For easy to-go wipes, I put some in a travel wipe case.
Instead of pulling from the center, unwrap the outside of the roll.
Leaving it together (do not tear apart) layer it in your case folding it
back and forth.
VOILA! There is my "lovely" travel case I covered with fabric scraps and an old button! It dispenses beautifully, just like the store bought wipes!
Although I do cloth diaper, I have not cared for using cloth wipes yet. I'm not against them at all...and I don't mind the washing! But, I am all about getting the job done as conveniently (and with the least amount of stress!) as I can since I have two wiggle worms to change. Plus, my hubby didn't care for them, and that matters too (at least if I want him to help change diapers)! I don't know, maybe I'll try the cloth wipes again...someday...maybe. ;)
I hope that I have been able to help someone - ANYONE - out with this! I would LOVE to know what you think! If you already do this and have any suggestions, tips, or just wanna share your experience, I wanna hear that too!
