How to Use Cloth Wipes for Cloth Diapering

Thinking about making the switch and ditching reusable cloth wipes? You’ve come to the right blog post on the matter! This cloth diaper addict turned cloth diaper blogger (and podcaster) will try to walk you thru the very basics of it all with a short and sweet 101 on cloth wipes for cloth diapering. s.

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored but affiliate links are present and this means I can earn a commission from purchases made on the other side. 

Cloth wipes are amazing because they are gentle and perfect for babies bottom. They don’t have any of the harsh chemicals or additives found in regular disposable wipes. It’s not uncommon for some babies to have serious reactions to the things found in disposable wipes meaning you either need to try a water wipe or pick out a cloth wipe. 

You can buy cloth wipes just about anywhere. You can just use baby wash clothes from the dollar store, or you can find them on Amazon, or your favourite Canadian Cloth Diaper retailer

If you’re already cloth diapering this is an easy transition because you’re already doing cloth diaper laundry. Gosh, while you’re at it, you should also consider the transition to family cloth because you’ll love it. 

If you aren’t cloth diapering, have no fear, cloth wipes can easily be brought into your life. Many parents choose to use reusable wipes when disposable wipes irritate baby’s bum (even if diapers dont). With water wipes being so expensive, the washing cloth can be an affordable easy option. Just shake of any extra poop, and wash with regular laundry. If laundry can get the poop out of your undies, it can handle your cloth wipes. 

Why Cloth Wipes?

For the same reasons you choose to cloth diaper, cloth wipes are handy.

• Save Money: Costco sized box of wipes is $20 every couple of months, and easily a few hundred dollars by the time baby is all grown.
• Save the Environment: One less thing in the landfill, and one less thing manufactured.
• Reduce Chemicals: Who knows what’s inside a disposable wipe, but may contain a plethora of ingredients. Even more, some children are more sensitive than others and react negatively to disposable wipes. I have no proof, just 2 years of belonging to mom groups. 
• Reduce Rashes: Using cloth wipes can help cut back rashes and improve baby bottom health. Just using water ensures the basics, add a little soap or liniment lotion and the tush is as clean as can be without rashes and irritation.

What type of Cloth Wipes?

Do it yourself and create your own flannel cloth wipes or choose one of the many cloth wipe options.   [Consider GroVia or Thirsties if you want a super plush amazing cloth wipe]

How Many Cloth Wipes?

1-2 per change is plenty and many people succeed with a stash of 24-30 cloth wipes.

A stash of 24-30 held me over for my first, and I doubled with my second. I’ll use one wipe for a pee, and up to 4 for a poop (because I love wipes, and little girls are more finicky).

Lately, I’ve been seeing a recommendation for closer to 50 cloth wipes, and maybe you’ll want more once you get going. I do have a stash of over 75, and it’s cold season, we go through them all. 

How to use Cloth Wipes?

Personally, I just add water and go.

Nothing else.

Just Water.

My house is small, so I run them under a  warm water in the bathroom and then change the bum. If you needed something more practical a small peri bottle or spray bottle with water at your change table would help.

Some parents choose to use a wipe solution but I’d rather not. I use liniment to clean up poop messes. I find it acts as an amazing cleanser and soothes the bum from future rashes and irritations.

After the bum is wiped, shake off the poop (if its there), and toss in a wet bag for laundry day.

What about Leaving the House with Cloth Wipes?

Grab a handful and go!

Store them dry for best results, and most change tables happen to be in bathrooms where there is a sink with water. If not, I just steal some from the water bottle.

Word of caution about storing wet: PUL isn’t waterproof so bags may leak moisture if stored in a small wet bag. Further, if you forget your wipes wet in the diaper bag, they are kind of musty afterwards.

And Washing?

Wash them with your cloth diapers. This is my cloth diaper wash routine. 

If you are not washing with cloth diapers, then wash with another small laundry. I would wash them with your face clothes and kitchen towels on warm with a solid amount of detergent. Rinse off the poop in the toilet or sink before wash day and it’s easy. Cloth wipes are simple squares of cotton. I guarantee if you can wash your underwear clean, you can wash cloth wipes clean.

Other Purposes?

Cloth wipes can easily be repurposed into tissues for noses, family cloth, tiny towels for messes, cleaning clothes, and more.

Cloth wipes add absorbency to tiny newborn cloth diapers, and in a pinch can work as an emergency feminine hygiene safeguard.

That is the basics on how to use cloth wipes!

Cloth wipes are a great cloth diapering accessory for any family and easy to use on the day-to-day. If you master cloth wipes, you can also handle family cloth another way to cut down on your families toilet paper consumption and environmental impact. Easy to launder and gentle on the privates.

Looking to buy some cloth wipes?

Check out my post on comparisons for all the details on where to buy what cloth wipes where.

You can also buy them at any of these retailers (affiliate links)

LagoonBaby (Canada)

Calgary Cloth Diaper Depot (Canada)

The Baby Foot Print (Canada)

Cloth Diaper Kids (Canada)

Nuggles (Canada)

Omaiki (Canada)

Etsy (Canada & USA)

Cotton Babies (USA)

Kelly’s Closet (USA)

GroVia (USA)

Diaper Junction (USA)