DIY Baby Wipes Guide: How to Make Gentle, Budget-Friendly Wipes

When I first learned I was pregnant, I immediately started researching baby registries and supply lists. Part of me wanted new things—there’s a certain thrill to preparing for a new life—but an even stronger motive was worry. I wanted to be ready for every little emergency, from diaper blowouts to sticky hands.

One easy way to simplify a common baby supply decision is to make your own Green-It-Yourself (GIY) baby wipes. GIY means creating products at home without harsh or questionable ingredients. Homemade wipes give you control over what touches your baby’s skin, save money, reduce trips to the store, and cut down on disposable waste if you choose reusable cloths.

Approximate ingredient costs for the recipe below:

$0.09 — Castile soap
$0.64 — Organic coconut oil
$0.40 — Tea tree essential oil
$0.31 — Lavender essential oil

TOTAL: $1.44 per batch (not including the cost of disposable paper towels or the one-time cost for reusable cloths).

For disposable wipes made from a half roll (about 160 wipes), add roughly $0.67 per batch. For a set of 15 washable cloth wipes, expect a one-time material cost near $9.45. These wipes are useful beyond diaper changes: keep them handy to clean sticky hands and messy faces for anyone in the family.

Below is a simple, gentle wipes solution you can mix at home.

Wipes Solution Recipe

1 ½ cups (360 mL) warm distilled or filtered water
1 teaspoon (5 mL) unscented castile soap
1 ½ tablespoons (22 mL) organic coconut oil, warmed to liquid
9 drops tea tree essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil

Combine all liquid ingredients in a jar and shake well to blend.

For disposable wipes: Cut a paper towel roll in half, place one half upright in a jar, pour the solution over the roll, let it soak for a few minutes, then pull out the cardboard tube. Wipes will dispense from the center.
For reusable wipes: Put the solution into a small spray bottle and lightly mist a soft cloth when needed, or place a stack of soft cloths in a container or wipe warmer and pour the solution over them to soak.

Keep in mind essential oils should be used with care around young children. Peppermint and eucalyptus are typically not recommended for children under three, as their scents can be strong for little ones.

This homemade wipe solution is versatile, economical, and lets you avoid unnecessary additives. It’s a straightforward way to keep your baby—and anyone else—clean without relying on heavily processed products.

Wipes Solution Recipe

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