Thrifty Project: Cloth Baby Wipes

If you're already cloth diapering, these are really easy! If you don't have the time or patience to make the actual wipes, you can just use baby washcloths and skip to the Making Solution section.

Making Wipes:
Some people like to make 2-layered wipes with a cute fabric on one side. Go for it if you want! I'm a practical sort, though. Since these are made for wiping up poop, my theory is to save the cute cloth for the clothes!

You will need:

• Fabric for the wipes. Anything absorbent with a slight nap (so you don't just smear the poop!) such as terry, flannel, microfiber or any cloth diapering fabric.
• Ruler
• A sewing machine and thread

1. Gather your fabric. I used an old towel that had a stain on one section. Mark off your squares. I used squares that were 15"x15".

2. Cut out your squares. You can make as many as you like! I recommend about 15.

3. Zig zag stitch or serge around the edges to prevent fraying.

4. Wash your cloths! Remember to use a fragrance & dye free detergent to be easy on your baby's skin.

Making Solution

You'll need:

• Water
• Olive oil
• Baby wash
• Spray bottle

Mix your solution in the spray bottle: 1 cup water, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp baby wash.

To use: Wet your cloth before use, then throw in the cloth diaper load!

A Steam Cleaner Tip: Saving Money on Solution

I have two big dogs, a red clay backyard and rooms with tan carpet. Add it all up and what you get is a big, nasty mess! I have even paid professionals to come out and clean our carpets and they were still left a dingy red.

I have a steam cleaner at home and for years have been using the steam cleaner soap, until about 6 months ago when I stumbled upon the best steam cleaner "soap" I have ever used - and it's not soap! I now get the big buckets of OxiClean powder and use 2 Tbsp of the powder per tank, plus water and that's it! My carpets are cleaner than they have been in years and it cuts the dog smell without leaving a strong cleaning smell! It even picked up the dirt the professionals left behind! I know the steam clean machines say to only use the approved soaps, but after 6 months of use it has caused no problems in my machine. I just shake it up to make sure the powder is dissolved.

Now for the best part: it's so much cheaper than buying the steam cleaner soaps! One big bucket of OxiClean powder is $10.99 regular price and that bucket will get me 96 tanks of cleaner. The regular solution that I was buying was 9.99 and would get me about 8 tanks of cleaner. What a savings!