My Happy Crazy Life

Make your own Cloth Wipes


Cloth wipes are versatile, gentle on your child, easy to make, and save you money! They can be used for sticky hands and messy faces as well as dirty bottoms, and can be laundered with your cloth diapers or towels. Wet them with plain water or a homemade wipe solution before use. Two dozen wipes is a good number to start out. It sounds like a lot, but once you get the hang of making them you’ll have a stash of cute wipes in no time!

Making cloth wipes is very easy, even beginning sew-ers can make them! They can be made out of almost any fabric you want, as cheaply or luxuriously as you choose. I started making cloth wipes over 14 years ago after receiving a dozen commercial cloth wipes from a friend when I was expecting our second child. I took one look at them and thought “I can make these”, and I did!

First you need to decide what kind of fabric you want to use. I started out cheaply, by cutting up an old towel. You can also use flannel, terrycloth, velour, and diapering fabrics like sherpa or hemp fleece. For really luscious wipes try organic velour, yum!! Two fabrics that don’t work well are fleece and woven fabrics. Fleece just smears the poo around and wovens are too thin to absorb. If you use a thicker fabric you can make one-layer wipes, but thinner fabrics can be used in two-layer wipes. Two layers are cushier and more absorbant, so that’s what I prefer.

Next you need to decide what size to make your wipes. I like 8×8 or 4×8, but you can make them any size you want. My 4×8 wipes fit in an old commercial wipes container without folding, and the 8×8 wipes fit when folded in half once.

Finally, choose the level of sewing you feel most comfortable with. If you’re a beginner, try Easy first and progress to Tricky.

Easy: One-layer wipes are the easiest to make!

  • Cut your fabric into squares or rectangles the size you decided on. You can round the corners by tracing a quarter if you don’t want square corners.
  • Zig-zag or serge all the way around the edge, removing the pins as you go. Be sure that the “zag” of the stitch goes a little over the edge to keep the fabric from getting raggedy.
  • Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of stitching, or finish the serge stitch, so the stitching won’t pull out.
  • Trim the threads close to the fabric, and you’re done!

You can use different colors of thread or variegated thread for a more decorative look. When I make wipes for my son I like to use up odd spools of thread that I have leftover from other projects.

Medium: Two-layer zig-zag/serged wipes are a little more difficult, but will get easier with practice.

  • Cut both fabrics into squares or rectangles the size you decided on. You can trace quarters to round the corners if you’d like.
  • Lay one layer with the “right side” down so you’re looking at the back of the fabric.(The right side is the front of the fabric, the side you want to look at and use.)
  • Place the other piece of fabric on top of the first, with the right side up and facing you.
  • Check to make sure you can see the right side of both pieces of fabric on the outside.
  • Line up the edges of the layers and pin all the way around the wipe.
  • Zig-zag or serge all the way around the edge, removing the pins as you go. Be sure that the “zag” of the stitch goes a little over the edge to keep the fabric from getting raggedy.
  • Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of stitching, or finish the serge stitch, so the stitching won’t pull out.
  • Trim the thread close to the fabric and admire your work!

If you want a more decorative look, you can use different colors of thread or variegated thread.

Tricky: Two-layer “T&T” (turned and topstitched) wipes are a little tricky, but with practice you can do it!

  • Add 1/4 inch to each side of the wipes when you cut them out. (That means that if you want 8×8″ wipes, cut the fabric 8 1/2 x 8 1/2.)
  • Cut both fabrics into squares or rectangles the size you decided on, remembering to add 1/4 inch. Leave the corners square, it’s easier than rounded corners.
  • Lay one piece of fabric with the “right side” up and facing you.(The right side is the front of the fabric, the side you want to look at and use)
  • Lay the other piece of fabric on top of the first with the right side down.
  • Check to make sure that both pieces of fabric have their right sides together on the inside.
  • Line up the edges and pin all the way around. Be sure that you can see the WRONG side of the fabric on both sides of the wipe.
  • With a straight stitch, stitch almost all the way around the wipe, about 1/4 in from the edge.
  • Stop about 2 inches from where you started sewing, backstitch and cut the threads.
  • Trim each corner near the stitching so it’s not bulky when you turn it right-side-out.
  • Carefully turn the wipe right-side-out through the opening you left.
  • Fold the edges of the opening in so they’re inside the wipe and the outer edge is straight.
  • Pin the edges of the opening to hold it closed.
  • Straight stitch all the way around the wipe less than 1/4 inch from the edge, making sure to close the opening. (If you stitch too far away from the edge you won’t close the opening and those edges will flip out and get raggedy.
  • Remember to backstitch when you begin and end stitching.
  • Trim the threads and admire your work!

You can also try zig-zag stitch or another decorative stitch instead of straight stitch on the outside of your wipes. Variegated thread doesn’t work well for straight stitch, but using coordinating or contrasting thread colors makes the wipes look nice.

Have fun making lots of wipes for your child! If you make clothing or dipers you can make matching wipes for your child with the fabric scraps.

Amy Sue

38 Responses to “Make your own Cloth Wipes”

  1. On June 4th, 2006 at 8:11 am
    amthomas718 said:


    thanks for the great directions. just might have to search for some organic velour and make some wipes.

  2. On March 5th, 2008 at 11:58 am
    Angil said:


    Thank you… so many sites have things all over the place, and every time I search it I get something different… but you have everything in one place!

    Now if I can only get better with my zig-zag.

  3. On March 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    All it takes is practice. ;) I’m glad you find the directions helpful!

    ~Amy Sue

  4. On March 11th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
    Sarah said:


    I’m a sewing flunkee! I tried very hard to make some cloth diapers this week with a sewing machine I got off freecycle and they looked awful. Now granted I’ve never sewn in my life so just threading the machine and sewing at all was a miracle. I think the pattern I was using was just too complicated for me to begin with (4 layer diaper out of a tshirt with 4 layer soaker pad, zigzag and straight stitched, added elasticat the legs and back, then turned right side out and stitched in the front, added velcro for closing since I hate pins.) But they looked horrid so I threw them away. Maybe I’ll try making these simple wipes instead and try diapers a little later.

  5. On March 13th, 2008 at 8:02 am
    Amy Sue said:


    That pattern does sound complicated for a beginner. The best way to learn how to sew is to start with simple projects that are quickly completed – like cloth wipes or prefold diapers. Then as you get more comfortable with the machine you can try more complicated projects. Instead of throwing away the diapers you made, maybe you can cut them up and make them into cloth wipes. Good luck!

    ~Amy Sue

  6. On April 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am
    Tipnut’s Picks: 50 Free Projects For Baby » TipNut.com said:


    [...] Make Your Own Cloth Wipes: Easy project for beginner sewers, this set of instructions will walk you through making a bunch of cloth baby wipes (for bathing, wiping faces and dirty bums). [...]

  7. On June 24th, 2008 at 7:24 am
    Learning to Sew? - AmityMama.com said:


    [...] Fern and Faerie online shop free pattern Fern and Faerie Online Shop how to sew cloth wipes Make your own Cloth Wipes Easy Cloth Diaper Wipes Sewing Instructions free bib patterns Free Bib Patterns how to sew bibs [...]

  8. On July 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
    This Simple Life » Blog Archive » Say Goodbye to Disposable Wet Wipes said:


    [...] serged around the edges.  If you’re like me and you work best from instructions check these out.  This lady seems to be an old pro.  Imagine all the cute designs you could have by [...]

  9. On July 5th, 2008 at 8:52 am
    Debbie Brinley said:


    My daughter-in-law sent me to your site. The directions were easy to follow and in three evening I had made three dozen. I used flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other. Some were just flannel and some were just terry cloth. Very easy. Fun to make and gave me a chance to pray for my future grandson while I was working on the project.

  10. On July 6th, 2008 at 1:17 am
    Nicole said:


    thank you for the instructions, I was trying to decided if I needed double layer of my flannel and how I was going to work my edges. I have a serger, just not real comfortable with it, (At least not where you will see my stitches.) so I decided to turn and top stitch. (If I can make diapers, I can do these.) I already preshrunk and cut out my 8 x 8 flannel, but my question is will the fabric shift while in the wash or stay nice and flat?

  11. On July 7th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
    Sarah said:


    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This is awesome!

  12. On August 15th, 2008 at 12:49 am
    Yvonne said:


    That sounds nice!

    Where can I find organic velour?

    Would flannel & cotton fleece work since you mentioned that while fleece isn’t good hemp fleece is…

  13. On August 15th, 2008 at 7:14 am
    Amy Sue said:


    Yvonne,

    I purchase organic velour through co-ops – search Yahoo groups for “organic velour” and you’ll find some. Be sure to research any group well before placing an order as there are scammers out there.

    Honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary to use organic velour for wipes, regular cotton velour like you can find at your local fabric shop is just as nice for wipes. :)

    Flannel and cotton fleece – like sweatshirts are made of – would be fantastic! I’d put the fuzzy side of the fleece on the outside. Cotton terry is super too – it’s the same as fleece except the loops haven’t been cut and combed.

    Have fun making your wipes!
    ~Amy Sue

  14. On August 15th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
    Yvonne said:


    Hello Amy,

    thanks so much! I am a part of the co-op that and it will be my first time ordering from a co-op. I was referred there from a well-known person who helps people decide what fabrics and how to make cloth diapers.

    The co-op is doing bamboo velour, bamboo terry, bamboo fleece & bamboo french terry. The velour and terry does have 2% of poly in it…it also has 70/28 bamboo & organic cotton…

    The fleece is 70/30 bamboo/organic cotton.

    They are all under $9/yard…

    Is this good? Or should it be just cotton velour or cotton fleece?

    Thank you for your time! :0)
    Yvonne

  15. On August 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    All of those fabrics will work well for cloth wipes. :) And under $9/yard is a good price for those fabrics, especially the bamboo velour.

    Good luck!
    ~Amy Sue

  16. On August 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
    Yvonne said:


    Tehe, thanks, Amy!!

    I so look forward to those fabrics!!

  17. On December 11th, 2008 at 8:45 am
    The Mom Crowd » Living Without Toilet Paper?! said:


    [...] soft flannel from the fabric store and a sewing machine.  You can read about how to make your own here and here.  The latter tells you how you can make your own by reusing all those extra flannel [...]

  18. On December 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
    Bequin Lapwing said:


    I make P-dabbers [vaginal pee wipes] with colorful printed cloth on one side and terry cloth [used towels] for the other with a loop to hang.I wash them by hand in a bucket with essential oil and hang them to dry. My grandaughter and friends all made and use their own. If you do some research you’ll find there are serious toxins in toilet paper and we are using up our forests at an alarming rate.

  19. On January 22nd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
    Navine said:


    I used to buy wipes then suddenly I figured why buy when I can make my own. Thanks for all the information.

  20. On December 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am
    what i hope to accomplish this weekend « two smiths and a dog said:


    [...] wipes (some will be terry/flannel and some will just be flannel/flannel). i found a nice tutorial here (third set of instructions). i keep thinking that if we’re going to skip out on the [...]

  21. On March 4th, 2010 at 2:07 am
    Jessica Keller said:


    Hello,

    Can I make these without a sewing machine? I don’t really know how to sew, but I bet with a little help, I can do it!

    Thanks!

    Jessica

  22. On March 4th, 2010 at 11:33 am
    Amy Sue said:


    Jessica,

    You could make them without a sewing machine, but it’d be a lot of hand-sewing which in my opinion isn’t worth it unless you’ve got tons of time on your hands and nothing better to do.

    You could do one-layer wipes by just cutting the fabric into squares and not finishing the edges, BUT you have to choose the right kind of fabric. Flannel, terrycloth (like towels) and wovens (like button-down shirts) won’t work because they’ll all fray terribly.

    Polyester fleece, microfleece and suedecloth won’t work because they tend to mush the poo around instead of collect it.

    The best bet for no-sew wipes would be a knit (like a t-shirt) or cotton fleece (like a sweatshirt). The edges may roll but they won’t totally unravel. Just cut them into squares and you’re ready to go!

    ~Amy Sue

  23. On March 5th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
    Building Up My Wipes Stash « Curiositys said:


    [...] made the wipes using these instructions for two layer, turned and top-stitched wipes, and nothing could be easier, or quicker to put [...]

  24. On April 1st, 2010 at 9:48 am
    christine said:


    Thank you I am have just bought a lot of cloth diapers and wanted to make some wipes to. I have tons of extra swaddling blankets 100% cotton and flannel so I am using the stained ones with a zig zag stich. Thanks for the easy instructions GO GREEN :)

  25. On April 1st, 2010 at 1:13 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Christine,

    You’re very welcome for the easy instructions! If your blankets are on the thin side I’d make them two-layer wipes, to avoid anything wicking through to your hands. Just my two cents. ;)

    ~Amy Sue

  26. On April 4th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
    DIY Green Baby Project: Make Your Own Reusable Baby Wipes Kit said:


    [...] two regular sized organic towels or other natural fabric then cut them and hem them into your own baby sized wipes. Or to save money you can go with non-organic wipes, which as I noted are still reusable so more [...]

  27. On April 8th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
    Faith said:


    I used dishtowels and receiving blankets for double-sided (pre-washed both beforehand). I got 6 wipes to a dishtowel and the thickness is perfect. I also made “potty wipes” just to get the pee off of baby’s skin when she isn’t poopy. I cut squares out of the leftover receiving blankets and zig-zagged around the edges. Working great! 2 dozen double-sided and 2 dozen potty wipes.

  28. On April 13th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Hi Faith,

    Those sound like fantastic wipes! You’re right – dishtowels are a perfect thickness for wipes.

    Thanks for taking time to comment!
    ~Amy Sue

  29. On April 18th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
    Bequin Lapwing said:


    Aloha…..Living in Hawaii after a month long trip down the W.Coast. One of my conversation pieces with others are about washable pee wipes. You cannot imagine how many women have reacted negatively to them. They felt it was too unhygienic!! My granddaughter’s mom is a nurse and she won’t let her daughter have them in her bathroom! I was actually thinking of marketing my own version I call “P-Dabbers”….but the response isn’t encouraging. What do we need to see….all our trees gone….or more vaginal diseases due to the toxins in TP and tampons? I remember back in the early 80’s when I made my own menstrual pads….it was the same story. Are we just not ready yet? I LOVE washing them and hanging them up in the sun or over a woodstove. I LOVE that I’m doing MY part to keep paper use at a minimum. I just tidied up a yurt used for a women’s retreat. I was shocked at how much TP they used in one weekend!!!

  30. On April 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
    JB said:


    So once they’ve been made, how do you care for them?

  31. On April 27th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Good for you Bequin!

    It’s hard to change, especially when there’s so much marketing for disposable products implying that they’re the only way to go. We still use TP and tissues here, but otherwise we’ve switched to reusable cloth for everything else. I figure every little bit helps. :)

    ~Amy Sue

  32. On April 27th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Good question JB!

    We use our wipes with cloth diapers so I just throw them in the diaper pail and wash them with the diapers. Our other reusable cloth items like un-paper towels and cloth napkins are washed with towels. If we didn’t have the cloth diapers to wash I’d toss used wipes in with the towels, but do a cold rinse before washing.

    ~Amy Sue

  33. On April 30th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
    Bequin Lapwing said:


    We need to free ourselves from those very words “It’s hard to change”. That way of thinking keeps the brakes on. Standing up to our values and passing them on to our children is what creates the change we all want. I know…I know…this is just about paper use. But….paper is from trees….and we are using way more than what can be replenished. We are sending a strong message to the paper manufacturers that we want…and will buy their products!! As for using cloth substitutes …I have several in use so that they can dry out between “dabs”. Then, when you can detect a urine smell….I set it aside until I have several to wash. A small bucket with soap, tea tree oil and hot water does the trick….or you can fling them into a load of laundry [I still use a wringer washer so they really get clean!]. After rinsing with lavender essential oil….I hang to dry…thou using a dryer probably sterilizes them even more.Try it for just a week….and see what arises and get back to me. I’d appreciate feedback!

  34. On April 30th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Great advocacy for cloth Bequin!

    And you’re right, it’s about more than just paper vs cloth. There’s a fantastic 20-minute “The Story of Stuff” (Google it) about our consumerism and how it’s affecting our world. She’s written a book about it too, but I haven’t read it yet. Check out the video, I’m sure you’ll like it! (I’m not affiliated, I just think it’s great!)

    ~Amy Sue

  35. On May 6th, 2010 at 3:24 am
    Bequin Lapwing said:


    Hi Amy….Yes….someone sent me a link to that film several years ago because I was the only person they knew who was on the journey to be “barcode free”. I loved it! And shared it with many. B

  36. On May 6th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Very cool! I wasn’t aware of it until just a week or so ago.

    ~Amy Sue

  37. On August 12th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
    Elaine said:


    i surged up about 12 recieving blankets into 8×8’s and i keep some damp in a container for wipes. i also add one into the prefold diapers i use to keep my nice white diapers from getting too stained!! i have a ton of them but am using them for one child and due to use them on another in a couple short months! my five year old gets paid 50 cents to fold the clean wipes and diapers so she gets something out of them too!

  38. On August 12th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
    Amy Sue said:


    Elaine,

    What a great idea to use receiving blankets! I’ll bet they’re nice and thick – perfect for cloth wipes.

    My five year old helps fold too but I don’t pay him, so don’t tell him that you pay yours, LOL!

    Thanks for taking time to comment!

    ~Amy Sue

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