DIY Baby Wipes with Gentle Solution: Cloth or Disposable

Dozens of parents told us this guide to DIY baby wipes was a lifesaver during supply chain shortages. Whether you’re making your own baby wipes because you want to avoid chemicals or to save money, we’ve got you covered with safe, simple options for both cloth and disposable wipes.

Why Make Your Own Baby Wipes?

There are several reasons to make homemade natural baby wipes, including:

• Sensitive skin – Many babies experience irritation from conventional wipes.
• Eco-conscious living – Cloth wipes are a zero-waste option.
• Ingredient transparency – Avoid harsh chemicals like propylene glycol, potassium tocopheryl acetate, laureth phosphate, and malic acid.
• Save money – DIY wipes are budget-friendly, especially with reusable cloth.
• Avoid shortages – When store shelves are bare, you’ll be stocked.

For us, the main reason we DIY is to avoid nasty chemicals. Even “sensitive skin” wipes often contain ingredients that don’t belong near a baby’s skin. And when you realize how much you’re spending on disposables, DIY becomes a win-win.

How to Make Cloth Baby Wipes

If you’d prefer to use cloth wipes, you need only look around you to find the materials to get started. Organic cotton baby wash cloths, receiving blankets, old jersey knit sheets, old t-shirts, or any soft absorbent cloth you have on hand.

Best Materials for Cloth Wipes:

• Organic cotton baby washcloths
• Receiving blankets
• Old jersey-knit T-shirts or sheets (no-sew edges!)
• Soft flannel or bamboo cloth

How to make your own cloth baby wipes

1. Run the material through the wash on a hot cycle to make sure the cloth is clean and pre-shrunk.
2. Measure and cut into a uniform size.
3. Squares measuring 8 inches x 8 inches will fold neatly into a wipe container, but you can make them any size you like.
4. For finished edges, use the overlock stitch setting on a sewing machine and stitch around the perimeter of the fabric.
5. Pile finished wipes in a basket or in an old wipe container and place on the changing table.
6. Wash in hot water, and dry in the sun to remove any stains or odor.

If you are a compulsive closet-purger (ahem) and you don’t have any material hanging around that would be suitable for wipes, you can easily find cloth wipes on Etsy.

The benefits of reusable wipes are endless. Washed on a hot cycle, they can do double duty as baby washcloths or burp cloths, and can be kept and reused for the next baby in the family. You probably want to separate diaper wipes from the ones you reuse for other baby situations.

DIY Cloth Baby Wipe Solution

If you’ve decided to use cloth wipes, you can make this solution to take the edge off those messy diaper cleanups. The Castile soap is a gentle cleanser with a natural scent. Aloe helps soothe baby’s bum. And olive oil allows the mixture to glide easily and moisturize that tender tush.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water, boiled and cooled
• 3 tablespoons organic olive oil or almond oil
• 2 tablespoons organic Castile soap
• 3 teaspoons pure aloe vera

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in a large mason jar.
2. Pour into a squeeze bottle or spray bottle (a clean dish soap bottle works well).
3. Shake before each use. The oil will naturally separate.

Disposable Wipes

If you’re not quite ready to switch to cloth, you can still make safer disposable wipes at home with just a few ingredients. This method isn’t zero waste, but it reduces packaging and limits the number of mystery ingredients.

To Make Disposable Baby Wipes, You Will Need:

• 1 sealable container large enough to fit a paper-towel roll cut in half
• 1 roll of paper towels
• 2 cups of water, boiled and cooled
• 2 tablespoons organic olive oil (you could also use coconut oil or almond oil)
• 1 tablespoon organic Castile soap (we love Earth Mama Organics Castile Soap in Sweet Orange or Calming Lavender)
• 1 tablespoon pure Witch Hazel extract

Instructions:

1. Cut the paper towel roll in half with a serrated knife.
2. Place one half in the container.
3. Mix the liquid ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and pour over the paper towels.
4. Secure the lid and shake gently to distribute the liquid.
5. After 30 minutes, remove the cardboard tube and pull wipes from the center.

Tip: Use these wipes within a few weeks to prevent mold or mildew. You can refrigerate the solution if you’re not using it right away.

These DIY baby wipes are quick, inexpensive, and totally simple to make. And, best of all, you know exactly which ingredients went into getting it that way.

How Long Do DIY Baby Wipes Last?

You’ll probably use them before they dry out. As long as you store them properly, they should last 3-4 weeks. If you keep a set for a backup diaper bag or your purse and haven’t used them in a while, you can always add a little more solution if they dry out.

Are Homemade Baby Wipes Safe?

If you use ingredients like the ones above, yes, they’re totally safe. In most cases, they’re safer than conventional brands with all their cancer causing and irritating chemicals.

The ingredients we chose are extremely gentle, safe, and mostly organic. If your baby develops irritation or diaper rash, discontinue use. These recipes don’t call for essential oils but some parents add them. Essential oils are extremely potent and may not be suitable to be applied directly to a baby’s skin.

This article was published in April 2014 and updated in October 2025