Tell me all about washable wipes

[Lovage]

I'd like to go over to using washable wipes. It would actually be easier since they'd go in the same bucket as the nappies, not need a separate bin. But I can't quite get my head round it, so please tell me what you do.

What do you use? I've got some old flannel sheets, old cotton sheets, old towels + loads of muslins and terries I'm happy to sacrifice - what would work best? And do you need to hem them (don't fancy that) or what?

Do they sit in pool of liquid or do you dip them as you use them? I can't quite work out how to manage this with a toddler who can reach most things in his room and likes to drink or spill anything liquid within reach.

What's in your liquid - plain water doesn't seem to work so well on toddler poo as whatever horrible chemicals are in the bought wipes.

Any other tips very welcome, too.

Thank you!

I use cut up fleece and cut up sheets for DD1 (21 months) and DD2 (7 weeks)
In my nappy chest I have a small bag with a travel spray bottle with water or chamomile tea solution in for wet bums and DD2, and also a bottle of natural(ish) baby lotion for DD1's horrific dirty nappies. I just use whichever bottle is necessary.
I use washable liners most of the time but when DD1 poos I tend to lift it off with a throwaway wipe and put it in the bin with a nappy sack. (I don't flush it as it would involve going upstairs through my kitchen with a nappy with a load of poo in it, leaving DD's downstairs and also putting it somewhere while I finish changing her...too much like hard work)

I get through around 1 pack of bought wipes a week like this.

For toddler poo, then terries or old towels would be the best - no need to hem. For wee wiping, then fleece or flannel sheet is good.
Some people keep them in solution, but I use a spray bottle as you can tailor the amount to the job.
I confess that I buy Northern Essence wipes solution, but most people use a sunflower oil/camomile tea/essential oil mix.

I just use a load of cheap, small, flannels (different from the usual ones, for idenfication purposes!) and a basin of water. If the nappy is just wet, I generally rinse the flannel out and re-use. If poo-ey, I use loo roll to remove the worst of it, then the flannel, which goes in the bucket with the nappy, plus I'll use a bit of soap/baby wash. I know some people go for camomile tea bags and that kind of thing, but I'm only organised enough to turn on the tap. I confess I still use a pack of wipes if we are out.

I use cut up towels and fleece- sewn together so it's towel one side and fleece the other iyswim?

I just run them under the hot tap as I need them, never had a problem with the toddler poo, because a towel is much better at scraping it off than a smooth bought wipe lol
But I know other people just keep them in a solution of baby bath or chamomile tea!

I prefer towelling type wipes. I did cut up an old towel but it frayed a lot. So I bought some (like mini flannels) from the nappylady website. They were about £2 for 6 and I just stick them in the bucket with the nappies.

I just tend to use warm water, but occasionally a "normal" babywipe like chirpygirl. I've noticed that dd2 - 14 weeks - flinches slightly when I use babywipes as her little bum is used to the soft, warm little flannels now!

I sewed a terry towel onto a piece of a fleece throw (cheap from ikea). I'm no good at sewing but just used a zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine to divide it up into little squares instead of hemming and then cut between the zig zags. i made 16 from a normal sized terry. they frayed a bit after the first wash but after cutting off the straggly bits they have been fine ever since.

I used cut up fleece with a small blob of baby lotion which worked well for dd. I also used cut up fleece as her nappy liners.

I use hemmed terry towelling squares that I bought on ebay for about £1.00 for ten. I just use water and we've had no problems in the last 15m (except when I use baby wipes, which give DS nappy rash)

I bought baby washcloths from the pound shop-perfect size and softer than normal flannels. I keep them (when organised enough)damp in a pampers wipes tub then I can just pull out and use as needed like disposables. I use either plain water, chamomile tea or water and olive oil mixture, mostly just plain water though. When I take her night nappy off I wash her bum properly with warm water, same for a particularly stubborn poo-I agree with others, the towelling means that plain water is usually enough. Oh and for poos I wipe with loo roll first which then gets flushed with the poo and just use the wipe to clean the rest off

IKEA do toweling face cloths, just perfect for the job, really cheap. I use small terry rectangles I got from the nappy lady & flannel squares from cotton bottoms. I have a bowl of water on the changing table(have a high shelf out of reach of dd's hands) & dip & ring out the amount I need before each change. I've had no problems using just water. I then put these in another little bowl & then get the nappy ready before I put her on the table. Sometimes, if organised enough, I make a bowl of cammomile tea & use that. I think it's a case of finding a system that works for you. HTH

I use cheap flannels, anything with a bit of abbrasion would do, I soak them in chamomile tea with veg oil and a drop of lavendar and a drop of tea tree. I soak them as I have the same toddler problem but you can just use a tub and dip them. The huggies boxes that disposable wipes sometimes come in are perfect if you have one.