Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Homemade Wipes: In a Wipes Container



If you have been blessed with children that have incredibly sensitive skin, you may know a thing or two about making your own baby wipes.  It isn't difficult and you can create your own recipe using paper towels, baby wash, oil, and water.  Before I ever did this, I read through about ten different blogs and (no joke) none of them made their wipes the same way, so feel free to get as creative as you please.

I however, am a simpleton in this area.  I don't get fancy.  In fact, I prefer to just skip all of the hassle and buy wipes, but because of skin sensitivities, homemade wipes it is! 

**Because my least favorite part of this project is cutting the paper towel rolls in half, I always do this ahead of time and store them in the closet** 

To Make Homemade Wipes You will Need:
  • Viva Brand Paper towels in select a size (cut in half--so it looks like an over sized roll of toilet paper)
  • Leftover wipes container 
  • 2 1/2 cups of water (boiled and then cooled to room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp baby wash
  • 2 tbsp oil

Once you have boiled & cooled your water, mix in the baby wash and oil and swish it all around.  Honestly, I'm so lazy now when I do this, that I just eyeball it.  When I actually take the time to use the correct amounts, though, they turn out so much better!

Put your 1/2 paper towel roll inside the wipes container so that it's sticking out.  Like this...



Don't even bother wondering HOW this thing is going to end up fitting in here.  I was terrible in physics & science so I can't answer that for you.  I just know it works. 

Next, pour your water mix all over the paper towel roll trying to get it as saturated as possible and then pour the rest of the water into the container.  Once you have done so, press down on the roll so that it flattens down into the container.  Don't worry about what it looks like, we are going for practicality here.




Close the lid and flip the container upside down.  If the lid doesn't close entirely, don't stress about it.  I usually just lay mine on top of a towel and it hardly ever leaks.  Leave this upside down for at least 5 minutes.



After 5 minutes, flip it back over and open the lid.  Pull out the cardboard roll from the middle of the paper towels.  Trust me when I say DO NOT attempt to do this before this step.  I know some of you will try, and you will understand why I told you not to!  (I was that person, I tried it just because I had to know WHYYYYY I wasn't supposed to do it! lol)



When you pull the cardboard out, it should pull up the first "wipe".  If it doesn't, don't stress, just pull it out yourself.  Close the lid and pull it on through!  Viola!   You now have homemade wipes in an actual wipes container so you don't have to deal with annoying lids! 



What do you make instead of buying store-bought items?  I'd love links to your "recipes"!

xoxo
Dani

30 comments:

  1. I saw someone instagram a picture of their homemade wipes several weeks ago and was like, really?! But this doesn't look too difficult at all. I imagine it could save some money too. I'm pinning this for sure!

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    1. Honestly, it is really simple, and they smell so good and don't have that "alcohol" smell that regular wipes have.

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  2. Do you have any tips on how to cut the paper towel roll in half? Should I use a hack saw, or a serrated knife, or a chain saw? Haha

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    1. Ohhh good question! DO NOT use a serrated knife! I use the biggest knife I own, and sometimes I employ my Husbands stronger muscles!

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    2. Also- I'm sorry it took me so long to respond! I am actually in the process of switching to self-hosted and so I'm a little behind on everything!

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    3. Donot use a serrated knife. Lol I agree I tried and OMG I hacked that paper towl to death. My wife was like what are you doing Making confetti. USE a Miter saw was a GREAT idea worked like a charm.

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  3. What a brilliant idea!! I can't wait to try it out. I would love for you to link up at SHOW-licious Craft Showcase.

    Just follow the link.....http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2013/04/show-licious-craft-showcase-26.html

    Marti

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  4. I'm going to try this with all-purpose cleaner as a way to store wipes in each of my bathrooms. That way I can clean the bathrooms without having to lug all the stuff with me. Thanks for the pics, I never understood how paper towels would work, but they must :)

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  5. Alright, just gave it a try. Didn't have the Viva brand towels, so I'm a little worried about the store-brand falling apart when pulling through the 'dispenser'. If it doesn't hold up, I will be buying Viva. Thanks, again!

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  6. Just made them they are great thank you:)

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  7. What kind of oil did you use? regular baby oil?

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  8. What kind of oil? Cooking oil or baby oil?

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  9. I mixed the solution in the wipes container and then put the paper towel half in so I couldn't pour anything over it. It soaked it right up though. I hope it still works lol

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  10. A little to soapy. I'll try again with less soap.

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  11. Try 2.5 cups water with a heaping spoonful of coconut oil - don't be shy here. Love these. Sometimes I'll add drop of teatree essential oil. Great for snotty noses and sticky fingers too!

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  12. I cut the paper towel roll in half using an electric knife. Worked well!

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  13. I want to make these for adults who have...ummm....issues. has anyone tried these with something like witch hazel?

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  14. Do you use any baby wash? for example I have a TON of Aveno baby wash/shampoo from my shower, but I've seen people use Dr. Bonners. I don't want to have to buy Dr. Bronners if my Aveeno will work. Thanks.

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    1. I use Aveeno, it works great and I love the smell :)

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  15. Is there no concern over it eventually molding? There's no preservative in the recipe. I ask because I was looking for a recipe to use as body wipes and it may take a while to get them all used up.

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  16. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. We made some last night and LOVE them! We used the Viva paper towel brand called strong and soft. They do tear pretty easily to next time we will use Viva's tough when wet. We also added some Young Living Essential Oils in there (lavender, melrose and German chamomile) and our baby's bottom smells soooooo good, way better than that alcohol smell you get from store bought wipes. The oils we used are good for the skin and they all help prevent diaper rash.

    Also @DacaRoo F, I did read on another site that you have to check your wipes as you go for molding. I read that after 2 weeks you might start seeing the changes. I figured we will use one batch as long as we can and then remake it as we need to. Either way you are still saving money and your baby will not have chemicals rubbed on his/her bottom.

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. We made some last night and LOVE them! We used the Viva paper towel brand called strong and soft. They do tear pretty easily to next time we will use Viva's tough when wet. We also added some Young Living Essential Oils in there (lavender, melrose and German chamomile) and our baby's bottom smells soooooo good, way better than that alcohol smell you get from store bought wipes. The oils we used are good for the skin and they all help prevent diaper rash.

    Also @DacaRoo F, I did read on another site that you have to check your wipes as you go for molding. I read that after 2 weeks you might start seeing the changes. I figured we will use one batch as long as we can and then remake it as we need to. Either way you are still saving money and your baby will not have chemicals rubbed on his/her bottom.

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  18. Just made these and added lavendar, they smell amazing! The worst part is cutting the paper towels like you said, so do a bunch at oce to get it over with. I used Up and Up Hair and Body wash for babys and Cocokind Organic baby oil with Brawny paper towels. Love this! Thank you!

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  19. Didn't matter what recipe I used, these got moldy before I could finish using them.

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