Time to tackle something else on the LIST.  I’m going to start using cloth wipes.  Right now, I use disposable wipes that we had purchased before our baby was born.  We bought so many that they lasted us over a year.  Crazy, right?  Well we bought a whole case, which meant four boxes, each with nine packages that each had 88 wipes in them.  That’s a lotta wipes, folks.  I still have 3-4 packages but I wanted to start transitioning to using cloth wipes.  There are a few reasons for this:

1. The wipes seem wasteful.  We produce a lot of extra trash because of these wipes.  I could probably buy the flushable kind and that would help but ideally, we would be greener than that even.
2. I cloth diaper my baby so it’s easy to throw these wipes in the wash with the diapers.  Actually, using the disposable wipes is one extra step; I have to throw the wipe away.
3. I don’t like the idea of poopy wipes hanging out all week until it’s trash day.  Especially now that baby has started taking interest in exploring the garbage.  Luckily she hasn’t figured out the step top garbage in her room but I was mortified to see her holding a used disposable that she had found in the trash.  The bathroom trashcan now sits on the counter out of her reach.
4. Cloth wipes are cheaper than the disposable kind

I think I’ll need to ease into this.  My plan is to first start using the cloth wipes on wet diapers at home.  If that goes well, I’ll start using them on the dirty diapers too.  And if THAT goes well, I’ll consider using them while on the go.  At this point I’m thinking I’ll still need to keep disposable wipes in my diaper bag though.

So where to start?  I know you can buy cloth wipes.  I’ve also read that you can make cloth wipes out of old receiving blankets.  I’m going to use thin washcloths similar to these:

These are super simple – no border, cotton, small.  And they’re cheap.  I just picked up a four pack for a buck. I usually wash diapers once every other day or so, so I’ll probably need about a dozen cloths.

Next, I need to figure out what solution to use.  There are a ton of options when it comes to the solution so I think there’s going to be some trial and error.  I did a little research and found this site as well as this one.  Since I cloth diaper and my baby has sensitive skin, I want to start out simple and then I can get fancier as time goes on.  I am going to start with:

• 2 Tbsp Baby Wash
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Cups water

I like it because it’s simple, natural, and I have all the ingredients on hand.  The baby was will cleanse her skin and the olive oil will help moisturize.  Easy peasy.

The next consideration is how will I store and apply the solution?  Some people use a spray bottle and spray baby’s bottom or the wipe, others store wet wipes in an airtight container, others put wipes in a wipe warmer with solution, and still others use a pop top bottle (like a sports water bottle) and drip wipe solution on to the cloth.  I think I’m going to use a spray bottle and spray the cloth.  It seems mean to spray Miss K’s bum with a cold solution.  I don’t think I’d like that so I’m assuming she wouldn’t either!

I’ve also read that you don’t want to make too much in advance otherwise the solution will get musty.  I’ve read that once a week should be fine. I was curious about whether or not other moms wash their dirty wipes before throwing them in the dry pail with the other used diapers.  I asked on the gDiapers facebook page and most moms said that they didn’t wash it out.  I don’t know how I feel about that.  I’m thinking that I would prefer to wash them off before putting them away, since I’m using the diaper sprayer to wash off the cloth inserts anyway.  We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, I guess.

We’ll see how it goes!  Wish me luck!