Help me make cloth wipes work, please!

BlueEyes09 · #1 February 7th, 2012, 08:41 AM

I would love love love to stop buying disposable wipes, but every time we have tried cloth wipes she ends up with a rash. We have flannel wipes and a home made solution. The first solution was water with a little baby soap, baby oil and tea tree oil. Then we tried it with out the baby oil, then with out the tea tree oil, then with just the tto, then we tried just plain water. No matter what we try she ends up with a rash after 2 days. I really don't want to buy a special solution cause the whole reason is to save money. The wipes we use now are pampers thick & sensitive, they seem to work well, although I'm sure a non-sensitive wipe would be fine, but we switch to those after her rash from the first attempt at cloth wipes. Sorry for the mini-essay, but what should we try next?

SuJo · #2 February 7th, 2012, 08:46 AM

I would use just plain water, but I can't see why that would cause a rash. You give her a bath with water and a wash cloth, and that doesn't cause a rash, kwim? There's nothing else happening (new foods, detergent, juices) happening at the same time? Is it the location leading you to think it's the wipes?

forest · #3 February 7th, 2012, 08:49 AM

Opps, I just saw that you have already tried plain water. I'm not sure how that could be causing a rash though?? Hmmmmmm, I'm going to have to think about this one.

BlueEyes09 · #4 February 7th, 2012, 09:00 AM

The only thing I can think is the plain water isn't cleaning her enough, but the residue from the other stuff is breaking her out....but it's funny cause her bath doesn't bother her. The only other thing is the flannel...but we use those wipes now as mini burp rags and boogie wipes...

Tiki · #5 February 7th, 2012, 09:11 AM

Try a little olive oil in the water, shake it well and some lavender oil. Also are you store the wipes wet? If so I would try keeping them dry and spraying as needed.
Edit: Dh just mentioned that it could be residue from your laundry detergent.

shen7 · #6 February 7th, 2012, 09:13 AM

Here is a thought. There is more texture to the cloth wipes so you really ought to dab more than wipe hard... the cloth is grabbier than sposie wipes which are really smooth. Maybe she is just getting irritation from being rubbed too hard? I know I have had to school DH on this, he was wiping her way too hard at first and it made her red.

*~~Shannon~~* · #7 February 7th, 2012, 09:16 AM

How much stuff are you putting in the water? I'm wondering if there's too much and it's leaving soap residue on her rump. I would try either using less stuff in the water or wiping her bottom with just plain water after using your wipe solution.

BlueEyes09 · #8 February 7th, 2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiki

Try a little olive oil in the water, shake it well and some lavender oil. Also are you store the wipes wet? If so I would try keeping them dry and spraying as needed.
Edit: Dh just mentioned that it could be residue from your laundry detergent.

Yes, we store them dry, folded in a reusable huggies wipe container. And we wash them with the diapers, and the dipes don't bug her. Unless flannel doesn't rise as well as microfiber then I don't think that's the cause. I can try olive oil next, good suggestion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shen7

Here is a thought. There is more texture to the cloth wipes so you really ought to dab more than wipe hard... the cloth is grabbier than sposie wipes which are really smooth. Maybe she is just getting irritation from being rubbed too hard? I know I have had to school DH on this, he was wiping her way too hard at first and it made her red.

I do dab

DH was doing the same at first, but now I know that's not it either.

BlueEyes09 · #9 February 7th, 2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *~~Shannon~~*

How much stuff are you putting in the water? I'm wondering if there's too much and it's leaving soap residue on her rump. I would try either using less stuff in the water or wiping her bottom with just plain water after using your wipe solution.

I think when I was using just the baby soap it was like 1 tsp per 1.5 cups of water, maybe less. If I added tto it was only a drop or two. I also tried using a water wipe afterwards. I also know I wasn't leaving the water out too long because we would go through the spray bottle in just 2 days. I also would microwave the water to a boil to make sure I would kill any of the germs cause our tap water smells strong of chlorine (or just tastes of it at least).

Tiki · #10 February 7th, 2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueEyes09

Yes, we store them dry, folded in a reusable huggies wipe container. And we wash them with the diapers, and the dipes don't bug her. Unless flannel doesn't rise as well as microfiber then I don't think that's the cause. I can try olive oil next, good suggestion.

I do dab

DH was doing the same at first, but now I know that's not it either.

It might be the dryness in the air this time of year, Orions eczema flairs up so try the Olive oil and you could also try putting a little olive ON her after each change

LifeToTheMax · #11 February 7th, 2012, 10:16 AM

My only thought would be that maybe she isn't getting clean enough with the cloth wipes, and that is irritating her? How wet do you get the wipes? I spray the water or solution right onto DSs bottom and then wipe it off, and that works best for him to make sure everything gets off and that the fabric isn't too scratchy for him.

eli's momma · #12 February 7th, 2012, 01:32 PM

I have wipe solution, but I did a trade with a mom on DS--my scrapbook stuff for her Butt Beans (sold on etsy) and she gave me enough to probably last until PT'ing

I spray it directly on skin, then wipe with homemade wipes, made from receiving blankets. Never had a single rash, and almost 2 years old. He has eczema and has super sensitive skin, but never in the diaper area!

Gaby&Emmy'sMama · #13 February 7th, 2012, 02:20 PM

I hope you can work it out!!!

BlueEyes09 · #14 February 7th, 2012, 02:45 PM

we either saturate the wipe, or spray it on her skin. I think the only solution for me is to try a premade solution, but I don't think that will save us money, which is the whole point of us using cloth wipes.

eli's momma · #15 February 7th, 2012, 06:42 PM

Why don't you try finding a sample bottle of solution, that wouldn't cost much, then you wouldn't be wasting money. Or, next time you sell diapers, use that money for wipe solution. A little bit goes a long way.

ashleyj88 · #16 February 7th, 2012, 06:46 PM

Personally I'd try a different kind of wipe before premade wipe solution. Most of the wipe solutions I've seen are pretty much just water, TTO, and maybe some aloe or witch hazel anyway. Maybe try some OBV wipes? They are pricier than flannel but super soft and unlike premade wipe solution it isn't something you have to keep buying.

BlueEyes09 · #17 February 7th, 2012, 07:30 PM

What are OBV wipes?

edit: nm, organic, bamboo, velour?

shen7 · #18 February 7th, 2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueEyes09

What are OBV wipes?

edit: nm, organic, bamboo, velour?

Exactly

good idea, hope it works!! If not they are still great wipies/face cloths/etc

BlueEyes09 · #19 February 7th, 2012, 08:22 PM

It looks like I can buy it by the yard online and make my own for about half the cost of pre-made wipes. I think I'll try this. Thanks ladies.

benandali · #20 February 8th, 2012, 08:03 AM

You can also try adding a dash of baking soda to the wipe solution! I don't remember all the "chemistry" stuff behind it...someone on here went through it a long time ago..but its supposed to help w/ rash and such...I use a dash in my solution w/ no problems.