What solution do you use for your washable wipes? And what pot do you use to keep them in?

[chloejessmeg]

Hello. Just wondered what everybody uses? I would like to start using my washable wipes again, but don't have much stuff in.

I have some Lavender oil if that is any good? I don't have any tea tree oil left (that I can find anyway) but might be able to get some tomorrow. Would like something that lasts a week or so if possible, as we don't go through that many TBH so wouldn't want to have to make it everyday.

Also, what do you use to store them in? We have a Pampers plastic pot that we have used before, but I find it is hard to get them in and out without opening the whole thing up. I have seen the Huggies version which I think is much better as you can actually get your fingers in the top bit to get a wipe out as it is soft, but I can't find them anywhere. What does everybody else use?

Thanks

I find water does the job fantastically. I keep the dry washable wipes in the draw under the change table and a plastic pot of water on the shelf. The dirty ones go in the lidded nappy bucket with the nappies which goes in the wash every second day so doesn't need anything added. Seriously, you don't need tea tree oil or lavender oil - water has worked well for us for fourteen months. If it's really messy use the shower or bathroom sink or other basin to give the lo a bottom bath.

i used a variety of then and put them in the huggies or pampers container.

I would mix up 2 cups boiling water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of whatever baby cleaner you were using.

I have also done chamomile tea.

I usually use 1 squirt of baby oil, 1 squirt of baby bath and 1 squirt of baby lotion mixed up with warm water.

I too have a pampers tub for them, but an ice cream tub would be a good alternative.

mine just sit in a pampers box (no lid it broke off).... so any box would do. Also like primigravida, they just go in the nappy bucket with the nappies in water. Used to use Tea tree oil in there - but stopped, as it seemed to make the nappies stain more. So just plain water!

What kind of washable wipes do people use? and where did you get them from? I had a stack of small towelling square ones that my sister in law lent me, but I had to give them back. I'm now using a chopped up terry nappy, but it isn't so good, as the squares are all fraying and going a bit odd. I'd like to invest in some more - so would welcome any suggestions?? (sorry for hijacking thread!!!)

I don't know how true this on or what eveidence it is based on but I have been told not to use products containing either lavender ot tea tree on my two as they are 'hormone disrupters'?! Has anyone elso heard about this?

p.s. i'm sorry to hijack the thread too but thought it could be relevant to how people create their own wipes

sjcmum do you have an ikea nearby?

These are very good.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40054538

I use a cup of chamomile tea, manuka honey and aloe vera gel and then pour it into a sports bottle so its easy to use when out. it usually lasts a few days. I don't use oils because they can repel urine in the nappies and make them leak.

Poundland do packs of about 6 baby wash cloths (99p stores do them too). They are small, about the size of a normal baby wipe but I like them and use them for lots of things. Come out the wash soft, almost dry, look nice and have enough texture to get poo off but still soft enough for baby.

i just use water.

i have a top and tail bowl i bought cheaply - wipes in one side and water in the other and then i have a bright green bowl that cost 15p from ikea which the dirty ones go in. it's actually a dog's feeding bowl but it does the trick!

the wipes are an old dressing gown that i was about to throw out - i just cut the terry lining up into rough squares. no edging needed - they don't seem to fray much. i also recently cut up a bamboo terry that i trialled but didn't go with for our washable nappies - much softer than the old dressing gown but fraying a bit more. terry is fab as it picks up the poo rather than smearing it around.

I just keep the dry wipes in a basket under the changing table and keep some water in an empty, washed-out pump-style soap dispenser. I just wet the wipes as needed with a couple of squirts of water and there is no open bowl of water for my preschooler to tip over when she 'helps'

When we are out and about I just wet the wipe under the sink if there is one handy (there often is in baby changing rooms), or use some of my own water that I carry around in one of those cheap travel-sized bottles you can buy in Superdrug.

When I'm good I add a little squirt of bath wash and a drop of lavendar oil to the bottle, but plain water does the trick, too.

Sainsbury have basics white flannels for 20p each- so between these stores there should be something near you.

Flannels and plain water here. I keep them in a lidless box and just put them in the nappy bucket after I've used then.

I have a little bottle of watered down baby wash next to my wipes box for tough jobs, but TBH I almost never need to use it.

I use the flannels from sainsbury's too.

I just run one under the warm tap when I want to use it.

My mum made mine with some old towel, backed with old fleece blanket, sewn in a circle. Any old flannels would be just as good.

Do you use a whole flannel, or cut it up?
I am thinking of a newborn bottom- they are soooo tiny- wouldn't a whole flannel be overkill?

Could you use fleece wipes? Would they be good at all?
(baby due 1 week, and I do have some fleece upstairs....)

Didn't bother cutting them up cos figured i'd need full size ones not long later.

You might as well use a whole flannel, then you won't have to buy new ones when the baby has a bigger bum!!

Fleece is ok for wiping but the texture of terry is better for removing poop.

Actually those poundland ones someone already mentioned are quite small.

How do you keep flannels soft?
We have loads of the ikea ones that I use to wipe DD after meals, but after nearly 3 years they are all a bit grey and hard now (don't use fabric softener in her washing due to allergy)

I am also interested that you all seem to use cold water!
With DD I always used freshly run warm water with cotton wool... but she was a pfb!

TBH they are always soft enough when they are wet anyway. I just wash mine with the nappies, so 40 degrees and a half measure of washing powder.

Ours are quite hard when dry but soft when wet.

Frankly, I'm too lazy to collect warm water for each nappy change and DD would just find a way to spill it everywhere anyway!

DD (PFB too) doesn't seem to mind them being cold at all.

My pfb would howl as soon as you started opening her babygrow- she is very cold-blooded... just like me!

Don't think I'll have time this time round to be getting warm water.

I think I will be using re-useable wipes now rather than cotton wool -ladies- thanks for all your input!