Learn how to make all-natural baby wipes with this quick and easy recipe. Gentle enough for your baby’s delicate skin and, of course, naturally scented with pure essential oils.
You know by now my love for natural products in my home. And with so many products claiming to be “natural,” it’s hard to tell what it really is without reading the back of every label.
The good news is making homemade baby wipes is simple, as I’ll show you in this simple recipe below.
And if you prefer reusable wipes, as I should be, you’ll also find a spray solution option for cloth wipes.
Every mom needs to have this recipe on hand because who has time to run to the store during a diaper change? 😉
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Baby wipes recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 roll of paper towels (the thicker, the better)
- 2 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon of castile soap (I use Dr. Bronners unscented.)
- 10-15 drops of essential oils (optional) This is the kind I use.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut paper towels in half widthwise and set them upright in an airtight container. Use half now and save the other half for later unless you are making a double batch.
- Combine water, fractioned coconut oil, essential oils, and castile soap in a bowl.
- Pour mixture over paper towels and let it absorb for 10 minutes.
- Secure the lid, then flip the container over and let it absorb for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove the cardboard tube from the middle of the roll and carefully pull a paper towel square up from the middle to start the wipes.
These wipes will stay fresh for one week. Afterwhich, discard and make a new batch to prevent mold.
Tips for making baby wipes
A sharp serrated knife works best for cutting through paper towels. An electric knife works well too.
Thicker, more durable paper towels work best for homemade wipes. Trust me; the cheaper thin ones do not hold up nearly as well.
Using distilled or filtered water is best. I try to avoid using tap water due to the unusually high chlorine content found in our water.
How to store your all-natural baby wipes
I find it best to keep them in an old baby wipe container. Then, you can pull the wipes right through the hole on top of the container and use them as normal.
I have stored mine in a Tupperware container with a snap lid. This was probably the best fit option, but they are plastic which is not ideal.
An old coffee can is another great option. Simply cut a hole in the top to pull them through. However, they will dry up this way if not used within a day or two.
Lastly, these wipes can be stored in a half-gallon mason jar though you may want to ensure the roll will fit first!
Essential oil baby wipes
When using essential oils on babies, or anyone for that matter, it is really important to use pure, organic essential oils. Essential oils are extremely potent and, as a result, must be diluted before use.
Always consult with your doctor to see if using essential oils topically is right for you.
A few of my favorite oils for babies include lavender, frankincense, Roman chamomile, wild orange, and rose.
Using essential oils in your homemade wipes is optional but can add scent and many benefits for the skin.
LAVENDER
Lavender is my favorite essential oil to use on my babies. It has purifying and cleansing properties, making it perfect for homemade wipes.
The scent of lavender is very calming for babies and perfect for delicate skin.
FRANKINCENSE
Frankincense essential oil has so many benefits for the skin, making it another good essential oil for homemade wipes.
It is gentle on the skin and can help with skin imperfections and rashes.
ROMAN CHAMOMILE
Roman chamomile is another oil I often use on my babies. Like lavender, it has a very calming and relaxing aroma. I love to pair this one with lavender!
WILD ORANGE
Wild orange adds a fresh scent to your wipes. Because it is full of antioxidants, it is great for natural skincare. Wild orange is a photosensitive essential oil, which means it is overly sensitive to light.
If using wild orange or other citrus essential oils, be sure to only use on skin that isn’t going to be exposed to the sunlight for at least 12 hours.
ROSE
Rose is another great essential oil for babies and their skin. It can be used to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and imperfections. Rose is a very delicate oil, perfect for babies.
Can I make reusable baby wipes?
Yes, you can! Using cloth wipes is an excellent way to reduce waste. And you can use the same solution as these disposable wipes.
Simply add the ingredients to a glass spray bottle, shake well, and spray the wipe before use.
If you use cloth diapers, you can throw the old wipe in the same diaper pail to wash together.
Wash them with a gentle soap or homemade laundry soap. Never let them sit for more than 5 days to avoid mold.
Learn how to make reusable cleaning wipes here.
Why homemade over store-bought?
Making your own wipes can be cheaper and safer for your baby. However, if you really want to save money, go for the cloth wipe route and whip up a bottle of the spray solution.
If you decide to keep buying wipes, here are a few things to consider:
- First, buy unscented wipes to avoid artificial fragrances.
- Check your labels and read the ingredients before buying wipes.
- Finally, chose a more natural option. I have used seventh generation, and honest company wipes in the past.
More posts just for kids
- Baby wash & shampoo
- Rainbow bath bombs for kids
- How to get rid of cradle cap
- Calming bath salts for kids
- Top 6 must-have roller bottle blends for kids
- Diffuser blends for kids
Have you ever made your own all-natural baby wipes? If so, share your thoughts in the comments!
All Natural Baby Wipes Recipe
Natural baby wipes are quick to make and work great.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut a paper towel roll in half, widthwise, and place it upright in an airtight container. (Save the other half for later unless making a double batch)
- Combine water, fractioned coconut oil, essential oils, and castile soap in a pitcher.
- Pour the mixture over the paper towels to absorb for 10 minutes.
- Secure the lid and flip the container over to allow the top of the towels to absorb the mixture for an additional 10 minutes.
- Finally, remove the cardboard tube from the middle of the roll and carefully pull a paper square up from the center to start the wipes.
Notes
These wipes will stay fresh for one week. Afterwhich, discard and make a new batch to prevent mold.
Leah says
I have considered this, but with four little ones under five, I always feel too busy! Something you understand, which I love about your blog!
Do you know how much money this saves since you still have to buy the supplies. Thanks! Your blog is very inspiring!
lauraascher says
Oh yes I definitely know the feeling! Thank you so much for the kind words and following along with me. It is hard to say the exact price because I use most of these ingredients for so many things and buy them in bulk. The only ingredient that I have to buy special is the paper towels. I used cloth diapers most of the time on my babies and used cloth wipes, instead of paper towels.
I have found several natural wipes that work great too, if you don’t have time and I have the ones I like linked in the post! Don’t stress it and enjoy those babies! 🙂
Colleen says
Hello, I am wondering about the soap and coconut oil ratio in your recipe for baby wipes . The recipe says one teaspoon of soap and one tablespoon of oil but in your video it looks more like you used a 1/4 cup amount for each.
Waiting to make this …
Thank you,
Colleen
Laura says
I use the recipe that I have written out here, I may have been making a larger batch in the video.
Wilma says
I didn’t see the link for the free ebook. I’m a DoTerra consultant and look to learn more.
Laura says
You can find all of my ebooks on my online resource library! Get access to my online resource library here: https://ouroilyhouse.ck.page/member-resource-library
Joanna Helmuth says
I just had a question about these wipes. I followed your recipe and made them a few weeks ago, and I was so pleased with how they work! Now I’m a bit disappointed, because the roll of paper towels has mold on it🤔. Has anyone else had issues like that?
Laura says
I always make enough for 1-2 weeks to use up before this happens. 🙂
Delia says
Hi there, love all your recipes!
Question, if I am skipping the essential oils, do I still need to use the coconut oil?
Thanks 🙂
Delia
Laura says
Yes