Homemade Baby Wipes

I started making baby wipes a few months ago after a friend, Jenny, posted on Facebook how easy it was.  She was right!  Not only do I avoid the dangerous chemicals and save money; but now I also don't have to pack up the three kids when I run out of wipes.  This was a big deal over the summer!

You probably have the time and materials to do this right now because it is that fast and easy.  The hardest step is finding a container.  It needs to fit a half lengthwise roll of paper towels and have a lid so that it opens on the top.  I use my Grandma's old Tupperware container but I just made a batch for my talented friend over at Sing All You Want using a Sterilite container found at Target.

I modified a recipe at about.com to make it even safer. Common baby oil has "fragrance" (bad, bad stuff) so I use olive oil. If the yellow color bothers you then any healthy oil would work. The oil adds softness and glide. I also reduced the amount of baby wash from 2T because I thought it was a bit sudsy and unnecessary.

Here is what you need:

• Round or square container with a lid
• 1 paper towel roll - I prefer Select-A-Size
• 2 cups cooled, boiled water
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons baby wash
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:
1. Cut the paper towel roll in half with a serrated knife and remove cardboard.

2. Combine water, baby wash and oil in container and shake to disperse the oil.

3. Add one half of the paper towel roll, cut side down so that it absorbs the liquid.

4. Close the lid and flip over to finish the absorption.

5. Wipe some tushies!

I hope you give it a try and let me know! I wish I had long ago.

Here it goes...

I'd like to thank my friends - especially Chasing Mermaids - for encouraging me in this blogging endeavor.  My goal is to share what I'm discovering about health and other topics and learn new things from others.  That means I hope you will comment on what you know and teach me. Yes, I'm talking to you!  Everyday I think of a new topic I could blog about and I'm hoping to make that happen.

What motivated me to finally decide on a blog name and register yesterday was the latest email from Environmental Working Group.  Their 2012 Guide to Healthy Cleaning is a fabulous database rating over 2000 cleaning products.  Of course my first reaction when I found this was to click on Dishwashing and see what was rated A and F.  I recently started making my own dishwashing detergent (more on that later) but I have used Seventh Generation, rated A, and Cascade powder, rated F.  And it lists the product ingredients along with the health concerns.  The thought of washing dishes in DNA damaging, cancer causing chemicals makes me cringe.  I hope you will look at your product ratings and consider making healthier substitutions for your family.