Homemade Baby Wipes - Not just for babies!

While I was growing up, we always had a job wheel/chart both at school and at home. At home we often complained about doing our chores, however at school having a job/chore each week made us feel important. This did not prevent us from sweeping the dirt under the carpet, however. Imagine our surprise when we came in one Monday to find the carpet gone! Haha. 

Anyway, when I became a teacher I made sure that every child had a job each week instead of every other week. One of those jobs has always been Table Washer. Since the little guys can't use Lysol wipes (they were actually banned at my school), I have always asked for baby wipes. The baby wipes come in handy after cupcakes and craft projects too! 

Now that I have a little one of my own, I have started making my own baby wipes. One, it is WAY cheaper and two, it is better for his bum :) I got to thinking and realized this would be a great way to save money in the classroom as well! 

So, after asking several girlfriends for recipes and looking up a few recipes online, I combined several and settled on this simple recipe that has worked quite well so far. Here it is!

What you will need:
1 roll paper towels (I use Viva because they are thick and soft and hold up really well)
A large knife (I use an old one that I don't really use for cooking anymore)
Measuring spoons and cup
Container with lid
Coconut oil 
Baby soap
Water
Zip lock bag (gallon size)

I have found that if you buy a single roll it has more paper towels on it than do the rolls that come in the multi packs. So, I have played around and adjusted the recipe to fit both size rolls. You are welcome to adjust it as you see fit!

Recipe (if you purchase a single roll then double this recipe) :
2 cups hot water
2 TBS coconut oil
2 TBS baby wash

Use the knife to cut  the paper towel roll in half. I've found that a flat blade works better than a serrated blade, as the serrated blade rips the paper towels and causes a bunch of fuzz. Place each half in a container. Mix the hot water, coconut oil and baby wash together. I use hot water so the coconut oil melts (if you keep your house very warm than it will stay melted all the time). 

Pour 1 cup over the tops of the rolls (1/2 cup per each roll). Pour slowly or it splashes all over - I know this from experience. Wait about 10 min and flip the rolls over. Pour the remaining mixture over the tops (1/2 cup per each roll). Wait about another 10 min or so and they will look like the photo on the left. Pull out the cardboard pieces (photo on the right). 

Pull the paper towels out of the center and voila! Homemade baby/classroom wipes :) I tried putting them both in the same container, as shown above, however the container was a little too small and I couldn't pull the wipes out, so I put one roll in a zip lock bag until I needed it. I make these as I need them, as I have found that they will mold if kept for longer than three weeks. Keep a lid over the top (I don't snap it on, just set it on top) or the wipes dry out. 

For Classroom Use

I would suggest eliminating the coconut oil from the recipe if you are going to make these for your classroom. You don't want the tables getting greasy. These are super easy and pretty fast to make. You could have a few parents donate paper towels and the baby wash and either make them yourself or ask a parent volunteer to make them for you. 

I hope you've found this post helpful whether you're a mom, a teacher or both!