I don't consider myself a "crunchy mama", but I do have "crunchy" tendencies compared to many.

I used to make my own baby wipes with my first 2 kids, until Young Living® came out with their own Seedlings® Baby Wipes that were so awesome that I just started buying those instead. But in the midst of the coronocrisis I feel called to share this simple DIY that is economical and effective in hopes that it shows people there is another way of doing things than relying solely on store-bought products. Which is why the "crunchy mamas" aren't the ones running to the stores to empty the shelves of simple things like diapers and baby wipes. 

You will have to find some paper towels. But don't go rushing out to buy all the paper towels a store has left in stock, leave some for the rest. One pack of Viva® or Brawny® paper towels (the clothe-like kind) will supply you with enough wipes to last you about a year. Even if the rest of the family is using them too. 

Getting the right kind of paper towel is of utmost importance for your success. If you use a bargain brand or even the paper-type instead of the clothe-like strong ones, the towel will disintegrate and leave you with poo on you. Clothe-like. I also like the select-a-size but that's not as important.

A container. They do make DIY wipe containers, but I always have an abundance of Balance Complete™ meal replacement powder containers lying around so I re-use those. 

You will also need a soap of sorts. I prefer this bath gel base, which you can also use in the DIY hand soap recipe I'll share next. 

Or you can buy giant bottles of Dr. Bronner's® Castile Soaps if you can still find them in stores. If you're making baby wipes, use the "Baby Gentle" unscented Dr. Bronners®. You can also use this same castile soap for the DIY hand soap.

The next thing you will need is some high quality essential oils. Why high quality? Because you don't want chemical burns on your baby's bum from using a bargain oil that is not true essential oil from a plant, but actually a synthetic, lab-created impostor. Just say "no" to bargain oils. I get my essential oils here, you should too.

For baby wipes, I used 3 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 1 drop Tea Tree. All great for skin and keeping baby's bum in perfect form. The scent is lovely too. 

Another great option for baby wipes is 10 drops Gentle Baby™ blend by Young Living®. This would be the way to go if you only want to buy one oil instead of 3. 

How to make the wipes:

1. cut the roll of paper towel in half. You only need one half for now. Don't stock pile it. And remember, only use Viva® or Brawny® that are the clothe-like style.

2. BRIEFLY run the inner tube under water to get just the inner cardboard tube wet enough to pull it out of the center. Do not saturate the whole roll.

3. Once you have the cardboard center pulled out, you should have the paper towels started so you can pull them out from the center, like you would a nasty Lysol wipe.

4. You can now jam the paper towel roll into your container and set aside.

5. In a 2-cup measuring cup, add 1 1/2 cups water, distilled is always a good idea. Add the 2 Tablespoons of soap, and the essential oil. Mix well and pour over your paper towels.

6. That's it. You're done. Let sit a little while so the water incorporates into the paper towels evenly. They should come out the center of the roll and be just the right wetness; not too dry, not too wet. Use as you would any other baby wipe, except with no worries of causing those sad pictures you see of kids whose faces are all dried and cracked from having it wiped with an alcohol-based baby wipe. (don't get me started). 

BONUS:

You can use this method to make your own cleaning wipes too! 

Just substitute the bath gel base with a capful of Thieves® Household Cleaner and use 10 drops of Thieves® essential oil blend. Viola! Cleaning wipes! 

I would love to chat more with you anytime! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

If you would like more great savvy tips like this, join my educational group on Facebook called, Swap It Savvy Community. 

Be well my friend!