Washable Wipes

Washable wipes are useful for no end of messy jobs but especially for the following:

When dipped in warm water they are an effective clean up tool after messy mealtimes. Simply rinse out after use and add to your washing basket, what could be easier. They can be washed in with your normal washing load at a recommended temperate of 40 degrees however I wash mine at 60 degrees with no problems. If you wish you can tumble dry them on low.

They are excellent to use along side your real nappies, instead of using the chemical filled disposable wipes. You can use a variety of solutions with your wipes (see below). After use simply add to your nappy bucket (make sure you seperate out whites from colours if necessary though, just as you would do with your normal washing (see our washing instructions for more info)) and wash as normal with your nappies.

WASHABLE WIPE SOLUTIONS:

There are several solutions you can use with your wipes including water. That's right, plain and simple water provides a cheap and easy option. You can also buy washable wipe solutions, however If you are feeling a little adventurous you can make your own solutions. Here are a few recipes you can try:

RECIPE 1:
1 mug of chamomile tea cooled
A few drops of lavender oil & / or a few drops of tea tree oil
1 tbsp of carrier oil (Almond, coconut, avocado, wheatgerm or olive for example)

RECIPE 2:
1 mug of water (distilled is best but tap is fine)
Some baby wash (optional)
A few drops of lavender oil & / or a few drops of tea tree oil
1 tbsp of carrier oil (Almond, coconut, avocado, wheatgerm or olive for example)

RECIPE 3:
3 ½ tbsp distilled water (distilled best but tap is fine)
1 tbsp of vinegar
2 tbsp aloe vera oil
1 tbsp calendula oil
1 drop of lavender essential oil
1 drop of tea tree oil.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO A PATCH TEST (AS WITH ANY NEW PRODUCT USED ON YOUR BABY) BEFORE USING ANY OF THE ABOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME. Here is a WAHM site that stocks essential oils Incensed

The solution should last for a few days and you can keep your wipes in solution in a plastic box or old disposable wipe box etc. Or you may to do what I do and keep the solution in a spray bottle. I bought my spray bottle from boots it is big enough for two days worth of solution and you can twist the nozzle to adjust the flow or seal it, so it is easy to take out and about. If it is in a bottle you can also shake the solution up, should the oil separate out. We received the following tips from one of our customers: I bought a cheap hand wash, and once finished, used the bottle for nappy solution, and Superdrug sells a mini dispensing bottle that has a removable clip to prevent it being depressed when in your bag.

You may find it useful to have two different sets of wipes with different patterns so you can easily distinguish between those for use with nappies and ones used for other clean up jobs.