Anyone who makes their own wipes...

ns1 · September 2012

Anyone have trouble with mold?

I don't know why the wipes are doing this, but they mold after only a little bit. Is it the container? I think it's pretty airtight, but maybe not. Too much water? Any other ideas? It saves so much money, but I don't want moldy wipes! Ugh!

(I use 1/2 roll paper towels, 1 C water, 2 T baby oil, 2 T baby shampoo, and 1 more C water FWIW.)

mnewlee · September 2012

I just keep the solution in a spray bottle and spritz the wipe as needed.

georgia3 · September 2012

I also use a spray bottle and wet them right before using.

Rebecca2024 · September 2012

I use cloth wipes, not paper towels, but I essentially do the same things as the previous posters except I use the peri bottle they gave at the hospital to wet as I go.

hway24 · September 2012

I use cloth wipes. I've done it 2 ways.

1) I make the solution (pretty much the same one you use, but I don't measure) and put it in an old wipes container then just dip the wipes in it when I use them.

2) Keep them wet in the solution in the wipes container. That way is nice because then they pop up like disposables

I haven't had any issues with mold with either way.

How long do you keep them in the water? I usually change mine about every 3 days. You may want to try using cloth instead of paper towels. I just use cheap baby washcloths.

Froggy76 · September 2012

I use cloth wipes and just spritz with water before using. Paper towels sound really harsh to me.

ETA: I think having an airtight container would also contribute to mold. Leave it open and see if that makes a difference.

missyishere · September 2012

I do the same as you, but I boil the 2 Cups of water first then let it cool. I then add 2 Tbsp of baby wash with 1 Tbsp of baby oil. I poor the solution into the bin, tip it upside down so it soaks into the towels, and then place it upright. Maybe all of the water is pooling too much? I've never had it mold before.

iloveu4ever · September 2012

Eww No clue I thought you were talking about regular wipes.

TangerineSus · September 2012

I've heard using distilled water will help with mold problems. Someone said they boil their water first which would be like using distilled.

lynnalbee · September 2012

I make my own diaper wipes, and when they get moldy, that means that I am not using them fast enough. Maybe make less of them? Hope this helps!

blondie1985_2002@yahoo.ca · September 2012

I only make enough wipes for 2 days, they never go moldy.

Megflynn9 · September 2012

Baby Wash Recipe 2
2 TBSP Baby Wash
2 TBSP Olive Oil, or 1 TBSP Calendula Oil, or Coconut Oil
2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
2 Cups Water
Mix well in a spray bottle or your wipes box. Spritz on wipe before using if in spray bottle. Swish solution around over wipes if using a wipes box. Tea Tree Oil has lovely disinfectant properties along with its wonderful, clean smell. You can omit the baby wash from this recipe if you wish.

CallMeMamaJessi · September 2012

Yes! I've made wipes for my son since he was born. The problem is with the type of baby shampoo you are using. I don't know what you are currently using, but I would try switching brands. I use Burt's Bees original baby shampoo, and pre soak all my paper towels and have never had a problem with mold. It has something to do with the preservative ingredients in the soap, and I've found that the "scented" ones like Johnson's don't last as long. You definetly don't want to expose you little baby's bottom to mold spores. Try again and good luck, it's a great investment once you find a recipe you like!

mdd12 · September 2012

I would like to add my 2 cents Below is my recipe -

1 ? cups of boiling water

2 tablespoons of baby wash such as Baby Magic

1 tablespoon of baby lotion

1 tablespoon of baby oil

? Roll of Big Bounty (Bounty works best)

1 airtight container

Put roll of Bounty in container. Leave in the middle brown paper. Combine first four ingredients. Pour over Bounty roll and quickly put lid on to seal in moisture and allow steam to dampen roll. Wipes are ?done? in about 30 minutes. Once done, you can remove the middle brown paper easily. Pull wipes from middle to start. Side note: I use an electric knife from Walmart ($10) to cut paper towels in half with ease. Also, the wipes last roughly 2 weeks, no more than that as they will grow mildew from the moisture. If they start to smell funny after 2 weeks, throw them out. Also, you don?t have to use the baby oil but it helps the wipes slide over baby?s bottom easily. If you don?t use oil, then just use 2 tablespoons of lotion. Also, if you figure out that you have a lot of wipes left over, then use the smaller Bounty paper towels with only 1 ? cups of boiling water.

ellerick08 · September 2012

Yes, I used to use cloth wipes in a container and I would pre make the wipey solution and pour it on the wipeys but my baby rarely poops, so I don't use as many wipeys as I usually prepare for. After day 3 they smelled off, not terrible but kinda funky. I just recently switched to a spray bottle and spray it right on and use a cloth wipey.

My mixture is, water, dr bronners lavender soap, grapeseed oil (olive oil, and others work well too) and I add in a few drops of tea tree oil because it disinfects.

I haven't had any problems since switching and i also have noticied it cuts back on wasting the wipey mixture, I don't use nearly as much as I used to. I also prefer using cloth, it is so easy to throw in the wash and you don't have an extra cost of buying wipes all the time. Good luck!

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