Make Your Own Cloth Wipes Solution

Since before my son was born nine months ago, I've been saying I was going to make and use cloth wipes. I was already planning on using cloth diapers, so using cloth wipes only made sense. I even had cloth wipes already. But it just never happened.

So, I finally made the goal to start using cloth wipes as soon as I ran out of my current box of disposable wipes.

When it comes to clothes wipes, there are two methods: the wet method and the dry method. With the wet method, you keep the wipes in a container and pour the cleaning solution on top of them so they are damp prior to use. With the dry method, you keep your wipes dry and apply the cleaning solution to the wipe or baby bum via a spray bottle.

I was interested in trying the dry method first because it seemed easier to tote along in the diaper bag and I had heard you can have problems with mold growing on yours wipes with the wet method.

So, now all I needed was a cleaning solution. You can buy a commercially made cleaning solution, but why buy one when you can make your own! Making your own is cheaper and you can normally find all the ingredients you need in you home!

There are tons of cloth wipe solution recipes on the internet. I opted for a basic solution with some specific ingredients in mind.

• Soap - to cleanse and remove urine and feces.
• Oil - to help the wipe glide across baby’s skin and keep it soft.
• Aloe - to sooth skin and protect skin.
• Essential Oil - to use for antibacterial properties.

Here's the recipe I used:

Cloth Wipes Solution

1/2 cup Hot Water
1 1/2 teaspoons mild soap (I used a baby mild castile soap)
1 1/2 teaspoons jojoba oil
1 1/2 teaspoons aloe juice
1 drop tea tree oil

Mix your ingredients and pour into spray bottle.

You can use this solution for the wet wipe method by increasing the amounts of the recipe.

So far, I've been enjoy the wipes a lot. I feel like the cleaning solution cleans and nourishes my baby's bum very well. I'm glad I made the switch and wonder what took me so long!

Are you using cloth wipes in your home? What cleaning solution do you use?

Recycling: Turning Waste into New Materials

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve challenged you to think about waste and ways to control the waste we produce through practicing the tenets of waste management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

At the beginning of this series, I talked about the importance of first taking actions to reduce the waste in your life. After reducing waste, find ways to reuse potential waste. Finally after completing those actions, you can focus on recycling.

Recycling is similar to reusing. However, with recycling you break down an object in order to create a new object. This helps reduce the use of raw materials and waste produced by the disposal of potentially useful materials.

There are two main forms of recycling: Traditional Recycling and Composting

Traditional Recycling

This is what usually comes to mind when you think of recycling. With this method, you collect specific materials and drop them off at a recycling center. These materials are then processed and manufactured into new products.

One of the reasons why recycling is emphasized as the last of the actions to perform is because recycling is limited in which materials can be processed. These materials typically consist of glass, plastic, paper, metal, textiles and electronics. Plus, additional energy resources are required to turn the old product into a new one.

Composting

According to the EPA, yard trimmings and food waste make up 26 percent of U.S. solid waste. However, much of this so-called “waste” can be put to good use and turned into nutrient-rich compost. Composting is very easy and just takes food and yard waste, something to “fluff” and turn the compost pile, space and a little enthusiasm!

Compost is a key to organic gardening and has a host of benefits, such as being an economic way to improve the quality of your soil, preventing pests and disease and educing or eliminating the need for chemical fertilizer.

Are you currently recycling in our household? Tell us about it!