DIY Body Wipes (Stop Buying Wet Wipes – Make These Instead)

As a busy mom, my time is strictly scheduled, this is especially true during soccer season. I have to take shortcuts just to get everything done. Balancing the house, working out, my deadlines, and the kids’ schedule is not easy. And homemade wipes are the ultimate shortcut! I practically use wet wipes for everything. 

Since working out is how I maintain my sanity. I do my best not to skip the gym. However, I do tend to skip out on the post workout shower. 

I prefer to shower at home–who doesn’t? But when things get busy, I minimize travel time. 

I am more mentally productive in the mornings so I work after school drop off. After a few hours staring at a computer screen I’m more than ready to hit the gym. I work out then go straight to the school to pick up the kids.

Picking up the kids is the only thing I am never late for so there is no wiggle room. There are no deviations when it comes to the end of my workout. That said, I work out non-stop up until the absolute last second then run to my car.

Forget the shower!

Luckily for me, and the other parents, I make after-workout body wipes. They are cost effective, easy to make, and easy to take on the go. It’s what I like to think of as the Gym Craft Laundry trifecta–cheap, easy, and portable.

For quick cleanups these are my go-to—but for bathroom use I still prefer my DIY toilet paper spray since it’s gentler and easier to use.

Homemade post workout wet wipes

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Materials

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 tsp baby wash or Gentle Skin Cleanser 
• 1 tsp Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) or baby oil. The FCO has the antifungal properties of Coconut Oil but in a liquid form. This is a great alternative for those who aren’t comfortable with using baby oil, which is a by-product of oil refinery.
• 1 square plastic container or portable wipes container
• 1-3 drops tea tree essential oil. Tea tree oil has astringent properties and is great for skin support. I found that including the tea tree oil keeps the wipes from mildewing for weeks.
• 2 drops lemon essential oil. Lemon oil cuts the strong smell of the tea tree and is also a cleansing oil.
• 3-5 drops purify essential oil. Purify has a very pleasant smell but more importantly, it banishes unpleasant odors.
• Bounty quilted napkins

If you’re looking for something more targeted for sensitive skin, I keep a separate batch of DIY feminine wipes that are a better fit for that.

Directions:

Mix the oils, and baby wash in the square container. Make sure to gently stir so as not to cause bubbles.

Grab a stack of napkins (approximately 2 inches thick) and press into the plastic container.

If there is too much liquid and the wipes are too wet, add more napkins.

Place the lid on the container and flip upside down so that the solution can distribute throughout the wipes.

Toss the entire container in your gym bag or put a few in a plastic bag.

Go work out.

Then wipe all that sweat off!

The wipes are lightly scented with cleansing essential oils. The tea tree oil helps to keep the homemade wet wipes from mildewing and is great for skin support. However, if you workout often then you won’t have to worry about that!

I use these wipes for everything. I like to throw them in my son’s soccer bag too. He gets sweaty after practice!

I also make a more portable version for travel and outdoor use—these biodegradable camping wipes are what I pack when we’re not at home.

Are you looking for DIY Disinfecting Hand Wipes with Alcohol to prevent the spread of viruses? Click here for the tutorial.

More Resources:

I use these to wipe the equipment: Disinfecting gym wipes

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