Hi! Are you looking for DIY wet wipes? You’ve found them!
Stomach viruses are the worst. I’ve written about staying hydrated and the items I keep in my sick kid prep list but I’m expanding on this topic, because odds are, if you come down with even a mild stomach bug or food poisoning you’ll be revisiting the restroom…over and over again.
And it really starts to chafe.
When a bug hit several members of the family, I revised our old homemade baby wipes recipe into a personal hygiene wipes recipe out of necessity. While I first made them out of necessity, I’ve been making these natural flushable wipes for years!
I originally considered the homemade baby wipes one of my “Pinterest fails” because the wipes were too small and prone to tearing for infant blowouts. I put them in an old wipes container so they were difficult to use, unlike store-bought wipes. Homemade baby wipes also don’t travel well–especially in the Florida heat.
Related: DIY Toilet Paper Spray- the flushable wipes alternative!
DIY Wet Wipes
However, I used homemade wipes when I was potty training. (Have you bought “potty training” wipes or the name brand toilet wipes? Highway robbery, I tell ya! Scandalous!!) The homemade version works well for toddlers, kids, and adults.
I also don’t mind using a bunch when needed because they’re inexpensive.
Read also: How to Make Wipes for Camping
On the day that inspired this tutorial, I was trapped in the house with one miserable child. He moaned through vomiting episodes but cried every time he had to go to the restroom. The complaint? His butt hurt when I wiped it. It got to the point that I barely touched him with the toilet paper and he would bawl.
My husband was deployed at the time so there was no “running out to the store to grab wipes.” Not only would I have had to bring a violently–and contagiously– ill young child to the store, I had a toddler with me too. (This was well before grocery stores began to offer online ordering with same day pickup. I needed grocery delivery ten years before it became an option–that now earns cash back on Ibotta!)
So I did what anyone at the end of their rope would do. I made what I needed. (This tutorial became very popular during the early days of the pandemic.)
Materials List for Homemade Wet Wipes:
- 2 Cups of distilled water, lukewarm is best
- 1 TBL Baby Wash, or Dr. Bronners Baby Soap
- 1 TBL baby oil or 1 TBL Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 6-10 Drops ofTea Tree Oil (Melaleuca)
- 1 Airtight Glass or Plastic Container
I used a cheap plastic container that stands upright. Since I don’t regularly buy wipes (except for the travel packs I keep in the car), this turned out to be a blessing. Now I’ve upgraded to more stylish airtight containers.
Furthermore, this one change from using baby wipe containers to a tall plastic container made dispensing a great deal easier. Plus, the wipes don’t dry out as quickly.
I use a super sharp knife to cut a roll of paper towels in half. (Based on news reports regarding the havoc wipes are causing in city sewage systems, you can use biodegradable paper towels. I prefer to use Bounty Select a Size Paper Towels or Kirklands Paper Towels.
Keep in mind that commercially made wipes are more durable and take longer to break down than paper towels. That is why there is such an issue with the wipes in the country’s sewage systems. Never ever flush baby wipes down the toilet! They are not made to flush.
After cutting the roll in half (which is the hardest part of this process.) I stood the roll up in the canister.
Then I mixed 2 Cups hot water 1 Tbl Baby Wash (I don’t like it to be too soapy) 1 Tbl Baby Oil (update* I now use Fractionated Coconut Oil instead of Baby Oil). I then slowly pour in the distilled water and add 6-10 drops of Tea Tree Oil (a small bottle lasts forever and keeps the wipes from mildewing.)
Stir the mixture and pour it in my wipes container. Tip: pour it in a little at a time to make sure that you don’t over saturate the paper towels. If you have any of the solution left over, put it in a small spray bottle. You can use it to re-wet the wipes if they dry out.
This easy to follow tutorial is our family's recipe for homemade flushable wet wipes. DIY Wet Wipes
Materials
Tools
Instructions
How to make your own wet wipes for personal hygiene
Voila! You have a wet wipes tub for the bathroom! I first made these when my kids were early readers. For some reason, they learned the word “butt” fairly early. The label I put on my container makes them laugh and reminds them to use what their mama made them.
You can also purchase a customized decal and have the designer make it say “butt wipes.”
They are perfect. These wet wipes are so inexpensive to make that I use them for everything! I clean up after my son when he “forgets” to lift the toilet seat. I clean toothpaste off the sink. There are tons of uses for them in the bathroom.
Are paper towels more expensive than wet wipes?
Short answer: no. We buy our paper towels in bulk from Costco. And our main reason for buying them is to make our own wipes. We use reusable/washable cleaning wipes and kitchen towels for most of our kitchen tasks so we save money by not being wasteful. Plus, you get way more DIY wipes for your money than you get for more commercial wipes. If you have a roll of paper towels that come with 80 sheets, you can make 160 wipes.
The math changes based on the brands of the materials you use. If you look closely at our wipes pictures, you’ll see that I rarely craft with the “expensive essential oils.” I save the high quality oils for use on our bodies, in the diffuser, etc. This recipe only calls for a few drops of tea tree to prevent mildewing and mold growth. If you make small batches of wipes and use them within a couple of days, you can technically omit the tea tree oil.
Want to save even more money on homemade personal hygiene?
Skip the paper towels. Yep, you read it correctly. Skip the paper towels and turn your toilet paper into wet wipes with this DIY Toilet Paper Spray.
This is also how I make dried out wipes wet again! I mix up toilet paper spray and spray my dried out wipes.
I also have after gym wet wipes and a great recipe for picnic wet wipes for your hands! During a 3 week tent camping trip, we used my DIY biodegradable shower wipes recipe (but packed out our trash following the leave no trace guidelines.)
For something a little stronger for surfaces try my DIY Santizing Wipes recipe.
You may also like:
Toilet Paper Spray for septic systems that can’t handle wipes.
Super Tough Gym Disposable Disinfecting Wipes
After gym body cleansing wipes
Got any DIY Wipes ideas you’d like me to make? Let me know in the comments!
Fannie @ Microbialogic says
This is a great idea ….. looking to do something to keep in my bathroom for adults. I like Dr. Bronners peppermint soap diluted as a wash. When it hits membrane there is a really fresh feeling. I wonder if that can be incorporated into this. Any thoughts?
Herchel Scruggs says
I’ve used the Dr. Bronner’s soaps in this recipe. They work great.
Tex Hooper says
I didn’t know that you could use coconut oil in wipes. I need to get some more wipes for my kid. He goes through wipes like crazy.
Hosiped says
Hello, have been using commercial wet wipes all along. Great to know that one can actually make their own flushable wipes at home. And the beauty is that you get to control the ingredients so that it does not irritate your skin
Glenda says
I made these for my daughter and I using a different recipe last week but didn’t use tea tree oil, and used a couple of old small ice cream buckets that I cut a rectangle hole in the top to thread the wipes through. A few days later, she called me and told me to go take the lid off and look at them, so I did, and they were all moldy. 🙁
What kind of container do I need that this won’t happen? and I will make sure to use the tea tree oil too next time.
Herchel says
Hi Glenda,
I always use an airtight container and remind my kids to make sure it is securely covered after each use. The air getting into your wipes is what allowed the mold spores in and spoiled them so quickly. The tea tree oil’s specific purpose is to slow down the growth of the mold and mildew.
Will says
Hi Herchel,
I’ve been using your recipe for about 2 years with Costco Paper Towels and have had gret results with no pipe clogging issues whatsoever.
I had an old plastic Folger’s Coffee tin, about 48 oz., that fits the towel roll perfectly, and you can pull the towels up from the center as you use them. It works great.
I’m just trying the fractionated coconut oil today for the first time.
Thanks for sharing a great (and easy to remember) recipe for wipes!
Herchel says
Thank you!!!
Bridgette says
Hi! I love this recipe and have made these wipes approximately 4 times now. But this time I was careless and accidentally dumped too much tea tree oil in! I thought I’d give them a shot but let’s just say…It leaves the behind extra tingly afterwards. Ha! Do you have any tips on how I might fix this? More water maybe? Thank you!!
Herchel says
I’ve actually done that before lol. I added more of everything except tea tree. I moved it all to a larger container and made a double batch of wipes. They doubled as bathroom cleaning wipes too that time! The good news is that the extra tea tree will keep the wipes from mildewing. If the tea tree scent is too overwhelming add a drop or two of lemon essential oil.
Pandora says
I think home made wet wipes are a great idea; however….there is formaldehyde in almost all brands of paper towels. I have written to the companies to confirm this, and you are free to do the same if you wish to inquire about a specific brand.
There are organic, formaldehyde-free paper towel rolls available….but they are not easily found in local stores, and most are quite expensive when purchased online (do an Amazon search for formaldehyde-free paper towels and you will see what I mean). Formaldehyde is also in most toilet paper and facial tissue as well.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Any other ideas?
Herchel says
You are in luck. I DID come up with an alternative that I’ll be publishing soon!
Teresa says
HI,
Have you puplished your alternative yet?
Thanks!
Herchel says
I haven’t yet! I need to take photos of the recipe and get it up this week!
Alana says
We live in a community with a odd sewage system. We literally have to sign a contract every year saying that we won’t flush ANYTHING! except toilet paper (not even wipes that are labeled “flushable”). So, in our newest life adventure we are potty training a sensitive-tooshied-two-year-old boy. His little bottom just doesn’t do well with regular toilet paper and putting stinky wipes in my trash can is just something I can’t manage. I came across this blog post and was so excited to make my own… but we can’t use the paper towels without a possible law suit for breaking the system down 🙁 In an attempt to make it work, I bought the Charmin Ultra Strong TP (totally legal for us to flush! Hooray!) AND IT WORKED! Obviously it’s a little flimsier than what the bounty towels would be… but I don’t have stinky wipes in my trash can and my babe doesn’t have a sore bottom!! THANK YOU for the fantastic idea!!
Herchel says
That’s awesome! We use Charmin in our house too. If there is an issue with a sensitive toosh or if he does start complaining–one way to work around your communities sewage issue is to put the wipes solution in a small spray bottle and spritz the toilet paper with it prior to wiping him. I’m so glad the Charmin is helping your little guy.
Jodie says
How do you keep the wipes from being sopping wet?
Herchel says
Hi Jodie, It depends on the paper towels I use. If I go with Viva or Bounty (something thick) then I use the amount in the recipe. When I use thinner or recycled paper, I pour a good amount in. Then I cover it and shake it around. I will then feel the paper towels and slowly add more liquid as needed.
Dagmara says
Really good tips, I want to go as eco-friendly as I can – I can’t believe the amount of chemical products added to branded wipes.
Mac says
I have used similar recipes for cleaning wipes. Same process but different liquids of course. I found, the towels did not hold up. I got pieces of wipes, not sheets. Which with a bottom, would not be good. Any thoughts?
Herchel says
I use Bounty Select a Size paper towels and find that they hold up very well. Did you perhaps put too much liquid in when you tried it? When I make my wipes and initially pour in the solution, it looks like there is not enough solution but once I flip over the container and let the all the paper towels get saturated, it is enough.
Bret Brown says
Hello Herchel- did you or anybody actually verify that paper towels are flushable (quickly decompose)? I searched and according to an article by a Sewerage Authority (link attached), they don’t. That Paper Towels are made out of higher grade wood products, and therefore don’t break down sufficiently fast. I figured your readers would want to consider this info. Thank you, Bret
Herchel says
Hi Brett, I did actually just see a story about the store bought wipes being very bad for the sewage system yesterday and am concurrently doing research on whether lower quality paper towels or recycled paper towels (which is what I use) degrades faster. I also want to make it clear that we do not use wipes all the time. I started making them when my kids had a stomach virus (hence the “don’t hurt your tush” in the title.) My DIY wipes are definitely not as strong as the store bought wipes.
An option that I also use is to mix the solution in a squirt bottle and squirt it onto toilet paper when cleaning oneself. This skips the need for the paper towel altogether.
Bret Brown says
Hi Herchel, yes, I think I saw the same TV segment. FYI- the link I put in my previous post does describe paper towels as being more “decomposable” than regular flushable wipes, but still encourages against it. If anybody hears any more, I’d like to know. Thanks for following up.
Glenda says
THAT is a GREAT option!
Leigh says
This is correct. Water treatment plants recommend to never flush paper towels. TP is designed to break down quickly in water, which prevents clogs. Paper towels are not. You may want to edit out the word “flushable.”
Herchel Scruggs says
As many times as I have edited that tutorial to touch on the sewage and flushing issues, I never paid attention to the original title! (The post was first written in 2013.) I just assumed that it matched the URL “DIY Wet Wipes.” Thank you for pointing out that oversight. It’s fixed.
Rabia @TheLiebers says
This is a great idea! I never buy those flushable wipes because they are so expensive!! Dumb question, but how do you cut the roll of paper towels in half?
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Herchel says
I never answered this! I cut it will an old kitchen knife. It dulls newer ones. Sometimes I cut down an inch and use strong scissors to get the rest. This is the worst part.
Lisa says
I love making my own wipes because you know exactly what is in them – plus store bought ones are sooo expensive. My recipe is different from this one so I’d like to try it and see which one I like the best:)
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Herchel says
Do you have a post with your recipe on it? I love trying out different versions. That is exactly why I like to make my own. I think that TP and toilet wipes are a rip off! I always try to find the best price for the toilet paper because it is a necessity but I would much rather make my own wipes.
Eileen says
I didn’t see the link. I’d love to see another recipe. The first time I had to use olive oil instead of baby oil. I didn’t notice much difference.
Herchel says
Hi Eileen, I have several different recipes for wipes right here! https://gymcraftlaundry.com/recipes-for-homemade-wipes/
Sara says
Hi, I love this idea, but I am allergic to tea tree oil. Is there a good alternative?
Thank you!
Sara
Herchel says
Hmm not sure but if you make small batches you can skip it. It helps keep the wipes from getting mildewy. If you make only a weeks worth then you won’t have that problem! I will do my next batch with lavender oil and see if that works!
Eileen says
I had trouble with the water to soap ratio as well, is it two cups per half roll? Or one per half? Anyway, I fixed it, but, I DID use lavender, along with the tea tree oil, but, I’m by myself and they didn’t last more than a few weeks to use the whole roll, if you use them regularly, I think you should be fine skipping the tea tree oil. I’m allergic to eucalyptus myself, so, I understand not wanting to break out.
Jenn Siler says
I would research which essential oils are antibacterial and maybe try those!
Herchel says
I use Tea Tree oil 🙂 It is antifungal and prevents mildewing.
Jenn Siler says
I was relying to the girl that said she cant use Tea Tree oil.
Herchel says
Ah got you. Sorry about that! I missed that comment.
Senorita Bonita says
I am truly impressed … looking forward to this DIY project. We’ve never flushed paper towels; do we need to buy ‘cheap’ thin paper towels for “flush-a-bility”?
Gracias
Herchel says
I have had a few people tell me that I shouldn’t flush them. I usually buy the Sam’s Club paper towels and I never flush more than two small squares at a time. I have low flow energy saving toilets and a septic system and haven’t had any issues. It will really depend on your toilets. We rarely have clogs. If you are prone to clogging than I wouldn’t try to flush them!
One reader brought up a concern with paper towels not breaking down correctly. I have never heard of this but have since seen “recycled, easily biodegradable” paper towels at the organic stores.
Rebecca G says
Great idea…except for the flushable part. Paper towels are not really supposed to be flushed down the toilet. They don’t break down as easily in water as toilet paper. 🙁 Especially if you have a septic tank or older pipes that the paper towels can get snagged on. It can be an expensive fix (trust me on that from experience…lol)
Herchel says
I do stick to the no more than 2 at a time rule that is also on the store bought wipes. Since I cut a roll of the select size paper towels in size, the pieces are small. Knock on wood! I haven’t had any issues myself and I have been doing this for years, first as baby wipes then as the adjusted adult wipes. I have a septic system and low flow energy efficien toilets, myself. Hopefully, only those who know their systems will choose how they dispose of them.
Andrew Lambert says
Great recipe! You’re right, they look extremely easy to make and also very affordable! I love that it’s natural. God knows what really comes into those “all-natural” wipes…
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy says
Will try thiis. Thanks for sharing!
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Helen says
Love this! We buy the flushable wipes for my little one, and you’re right- they’re super pricey. I hadn’t thought about making them. Which is actually crazy because I totally made a similar wipe solution for washable, reusable cloth wipes when she was a baby. Definitely going to try this soon!
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Herchel says
It was one if those things that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought to do earlier either!
Herchel says
Lol the recommended max is two per flush. They actually are not as bulky as some of the more expensive toilet paper brands.
Tenns @ New Mama Diaries says
LOL, I love the “Butt Wipes” label! I’ve come across a few recipes for homemade wipes on Pinterest, but have yet to try them out. I always just buy the Cottonelle at the store. I’ll have to give the homemade ones a go!
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Sonya says
Great idea, I’ve never thought about making my own wipes.
Michelle @ The MaMade Diaries says
I TOTALLY need to make these!!!! I love flushable wipes and am so sick of paying for them haha. Awesome!! You should stop by and link them up at my new blog hop!
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Herchel says
I did, Michelle. Thank you for inviting me 🙂
thedoseofreality says
So cool that you can make them yourself! You are a total rock star mom with this one! :)-Ashley
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Herchel says
I had to fiddle with the water to baby wash and oil ratio. The first time I made them (NOT the above recipe but the common baby wipes recipe) my son kept squirming and said his butt felt slimy!
Kristen says
I also keep witch hazel in a spray bottle and spray to after using the wipes for a extra fresh feeling. I use the witch hazel even when I don’t have a bowel movement just to feel fresh. Be careful not to use it all the time as you don’t want to alter your P H balance. Hospitals use it after giving birth.
Carrie This Home says
Great idea! I love that you label them butt wipes too! The job as a mommy is very challenging so it’s good to get a laugh in every once in awhile!
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Herchel says
Lol my kids are just learning how to read and sadly, “butt” is one of the few words they easily recognize. Seeing the word reminds my son to use them!
Carrie This Home says
Now that’s funny!
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Karen @TheMissingNiche says
Wow. I’m impressed! I may make some of these! We don’t use flushable wipes as much as we used to because I am just tired of paying for them. This will solve that problem!
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Bethany Jane Smith says
Hi there. Are they OK to flush? I thought paper towels were too strong for the toilet system to break down?
Herchel says
It really depends on your sewer system. We are ok with flushing (I give my family a 2 wipe flush limit.)