DIY + Best Baby Wipes

Have you ever read the ingredients in your baby wipes? 

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I've been gifted baby wipes that I've used for travel and back-up, and I've purchased some on my own. But I actually enjoy making my own baby wipes because then I know what goes on my baby's bottom! I try to do this on a weekly basis!

DIY Baby Wipes Recipe*

• 1 teaspoon of Castile soap

• 1 1/4 cups of distilled water (or boiled)

• 1 tablespoon of a high-quality aloe vera to reduce flaking and restore suppleness

• 1 tablespoon of a high-quality witch hazel to help combat diaper rashes

• 1 full dropper of Vitamin E oil, avocado oil, or olive oil to moisturize

• Optional: a few drops of lavender essential oil

*My own version based on Wellness Mama and Mama Natural - the two natural mamas I love following for expert, scientific-based advice + tips!

For this recipe, stir all of the ingredients before adding in unbleached paper towels or rip up pieces of a rag! Regular, conventional paper towels are bleached and contain toxins. I try to avoid using conventional paper towels in the home since that’s something I can control. I also use a glass tupperware because of my personal preference of glass over BPA-free plastic.

You don’t need much Castile soap because it is pretty strong. I’ve found that adding water anywhere around 1 1/4 cups - 2 cups was good enough. Any essential oil that can combat bacteria such as lavender oil, will help extend the wipe’s life. Without adding essential oil, the wipes are probably good for 3-4 days before it starts to grow mold in the container. If added, the wipes will last a little more than a week.

See below for a couple high quality options. Witch hazel (click here for unscented and alcohol-free!) and aloe vera (click here for organic + alcohol-free).

The Next Best Option

Finding clean baby wipes, in the beginning, was a mission like any other baby product. Babies are like a sponge and absorb many more toxins than a full-grown adult since the skin is super delicate, especially newborns. In the first year of a baby's life, the skin is developing, which means it's not fully capable of removing excess water and is more open to absorbing chemicals and toxins.* Taking extra measures in safe baby products was and is so important to me.

When I can’t get around to making another homemade batch, or if I’m traveling, I’ll go to the next best option, which are three specific brands where I’ve investigated the ingredients: Water Wipes, Baby Green and Bum Boosa. I tried several different brands (Pamper's sensitive skin, Seventh Generation, the Honest Co., and Caboo) before narrowing it down to these. See the ingredients below!

WaterWipes has two ingredients and can be found at most grocery stores:

1. Water (99.9%)

2. Citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract (0.1%)

Baby Green has nine ingredients:

1. Aqua (Water)

2. Glycerin is a naturally occurring alcohol compound

3. Sodium Benzoate is a safe, moisturizing preservative when used correctly

4. Citric Acid adjusts the acidity in products and is naturally found in citric fruits and juices

5. Potassium Sorbate is a naturally occurring antimicrobial compound

6. Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract is an anti-inflammatory medicinal herb

7. Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract is also an anti-inflammatory herb

8. Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate cleans the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that these substances can be rinsed away

9. Sodium Chloride is a white crystalline solid that cleans and deodorizes

Bum Boosa has twelve ingredients: 

1. Purified Water

2. Vegetable Glycerin is a transparent, colorless, and unscented viscous liquid derived from the oils of plants such as Coconut, Palm, or Soy

3. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf  (Organic Aloe Vera) is derived from the aloe plant and reduces flaking and restores suppleness

4. Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is a naturally occurring antioxidant

5. Potassium Sorbate is a white, free-flowing, crystalline powder that kills microorganisms

6. Sodium Benzoate is an organic alcohol found in many fruits and teas

7. Citric Acid adjusts the acidity in products and is naturally found in citric fruits and juices

8. Calendula Extract is an anti-inflammatory herb

9. Polysorbate 20 is a surfactant that helps other ingredients to dissolve 

10. Chamomile Flower Extract is an anti-inflammatory medicinal herb

11. Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavendar) Oil is a relaxing medicinal plant 

12. Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil is a beneficial medicinal oil 

I check the ingredients using the below databases. I also utilize these resources to decipher ingredients in cosmetic and skin products!

Cosmetics Info | The Science & Safety Behind Your Favorite Products

EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database

* Baby Skin vs. Adult's - What You Need to Know - Skin Site