Cloth Diaper "Guilt"

Okay so I exclusively cloth diaper, and I have been feeling rather "guilty" lately (well not really, just really wanting to change!).  One of the main reasons I decided to cloth diaper Bailey was not solely for the money, not only because cloth diapers are so cute, and only partly for the environment, the real reason I choose cloth diapers was because of the many chemicals in disposables to make them absorbent!!  Click here to read about our reasoning for cloth diapering.

Here are some other great links about disposables: here and here 
 

Before we had Bailey I researched cloth diapering and along with it cloth wipes.  When we started cloth diapering we were going good on the cloth wipes at home...then I stopped.  I do not know, do not ask why.  

So I am back on the train.  Cloth wipes are going strong again!!  I am even using them while out and about, my goal, no buying diapers, no buying wipes.  I mean, of course I will have a spare pack, just in case.  I feel better now, I was asking myself: I am cloth diapering to avoid chemicals, save money, help the environment yet I am using wipes also that have chemicals (even though I buy the ones without chlorine, etc.), cost money, and go in the trash.  

I try to remind myself why I love using cloth wipes, they are easy, they are not only great for wiping the bum, but also for wiping up messes, noses, hands, and spit up!  I guess I figure that I am washing diapers every 2 days (by themselves) why not throw some wipes in also!

Basically for those who want to try it out, here is how I do it (there are several ways to do cloth wipes, several types, several brands, homemade solutions, bits you can buy for a pre-made homemade solution and on and on.  Opinions vary as widely as cloth diapers, well maybe not as widely!!)

The supplies:  The cloth wipes, something to heat up and mix solution in, the solution (in my case I buy handmade bits), and a container (I use the wipe warmer- great for holding the wipes).  Remember, change wipes every couple of days (this one is easy, you will run out!)

I have about 25 wipes, and just about all but one fit in my container, so I make about 4 cups of water with 1 bit per cup.  I first start out with like a 1/2 cup of water heated hot (I just do less to make it quicker to heat up), then I put the 4 bits in the water, mixing it around they will dissolve in the hot water and look like this:

Then I fill the measuring cup up the the 4 cup mark total with water.  After the bits are dissolved it does not matter if the water is hot or cold.  Before I start I pour some of the solution into the bottom of the container. 

I then take all the wipes and dip them into the solution, ring them out and roll them up (to save space and pack them in like this:

Fabulous!  We have nice smelling wipes all ready!  Many people use their old wipes container to hold the cloth wipes, what a great idea.  While in the diaper bag you can utilize a wet bag or use a ziplock bag (re-using it of course!) to hold your wipes. You can leave your wipe warmer on or off, just like with wipes.    Did I say they smell so fresh!  Mine smell of lavender and tea tree oil (for the antibacterial properties)!! This whole process really only takes me 5-10 minutes!

Many people carry the dry wipes in their diaper bags and a little bit of the liquid (in a container or squirt bottle) and make them wet when they go to use them.  Also, you can certainly make your own solution and your own cloth wipes (if you are a DIYer!)  I also like to use the rest of my leftover solution in a squirt bottle to clean up messes, and to spray on a rag to clean up Bailey when she spits up or drools all day long.  Of course there are really so many ways to do this, but the bottom line is all the added benefits!

Happy Wiping!!