How To Make Cheap, Eco-Friendly Travel Wipes
Natural Moist Towelettes Double Safely as Baby Wipes
Aug 20, 2009
Commercial wet-wipes, or baby wipes may be convenient, but they are also an environmental hazard. Between the plastic-based sheets that wind up being flushed or thrown into a landfill and the chemicals used to treat the wipes, conventional wipes don’t make for a sustainable choice when traveling.
Advantages to Making Your Own Wet Wipes
Even buying environmentally friendly brands made from recycled paper, or cloth can be costly. Do-It-Yourself versions out of paper towels made from recycled paper, or a softer version from flannel, will reduce costs, and be easier on skin. Another option is to buy unbleached cotton or re-use old T-shirts made from soft but absorbent natural fabrics.
Additives, such as parabens are often used for their preservative and bactericidal properties. However, parabens are petroleum based and have been linked to cancer. The FDA cited a 2004 study, from the Journal of Applied Toxicology, which “detected parabens in breast tumours. The study also discussed this information in the context of the weak estrogen-like properties of parabens and the influence of estrogen on breast cancer.”
Choosing a mild but equally effective antiseptic, like witch hazel or tea-tree oil will be easier on one’s health and the baby’s skin. Most moist towelettes contain Malic acid, which dries out the skin, and often causes rashes or allergic reactions.
Save Money with DIY Travel Wipes
A year's supply of pre-packaged wipes costs about $175 – compared to $50 a year for reusable or DIY versions. Even buying environmentally friendly wipes, like Nature Babycare Wipes™, which are compostable wipes made from sustainable forests, are costly at $4 per package. If quick convenience is an issue, look for chlorine-free and alcohol free versions when buying store-bought wipes.
Another organic choice is Seventh Generation Baby Wipes™, which, like Nature Babycare™ Wipes, are alcohol-free and contain natural Aloe Vera, vitamin E, and water. Seventh Generation Baby offers refills for their packages, though the outer wrapping is non-renewable.
Materials Used in Most Organic Hand Wipes
The basic ingredients in most wipes are water, a moisturizer such as aloe vera or pure vitamin E. The anti-bacterial element is vinegar – which can be hard on babies skin, but are fine for adult travel wipes. A milder choice for babies’ skin would be Tea-Tree oil or witch hazel. Website About.com suggests using recycled paper towels and liquid baby soap for DIY towelettes.
Easy and Quick Method to Make Your Own Wipes
- 1 cup Witch Hazel Hazel
- 2 tsp. Tea Tree Oil
- 1-3 tsp, essential oil of lavender (a natural disinfectant and has a pleasant fragrance)
- 24 squares of paper towels made from recycled paper, separated, and placed inside a re-sealable sandwich bag or plastic margarine tub. It’s a great way to re-use plastics before they hit the recycling bin.
- Place the paper towels in the tub or sandwich bag, and pour the liquid over the towels. The sandwich bag may not fit all the towels, so fill the bag with as many as will fit.
- Pour the liquid into the bag, over the towels and seal the bag shut.
- If you prefer re-usable options, such as flannel, the process is the same, though the liquid can evaporate quickly. Using a re-usable bottle or small spray bottle filled with the liquid and applied to a flannel cloth works just as well for a diapering kit.
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