Why I Started Making My Own Wipes xx

Aka. Am I getting too crunchy for my own good? :)

WARNING: First a brief diatribe on toxic synthetic additives - then the amazing wipes recipe! Scroll down if you're in a hurry or just cant be bothered with another rant from the Organic Mommy Mafia. I'll try not to let my feelings be too hurt. Ahem...


If you are a parent of any aged child, you will know that kids are messy (Winner! "obvious statement of the day" award). From the first few years of wiping bottoms, to the toddler years of the ever-running nose, to the amazing way that all children seem to be magnets for markers, dirt, and unknown substances that will forever remain unidentified. I can't even begin to imagine or estimate in the course of those first dozen years of cleaning and cleaning-up after our children how many wipes, paper towels, tissues, and bottles of hand sanitizer we all will go through. Boggles the mind. 

We are only just starting now to realize the allergies we are creating and illnesses we are supporting by putting synthetic toxic materials into our bodies from the moment we are conceived. Recently a chemical pesticide (commercially called "RoundUp") was found in trace amounts in the blood of pregnant women, due to their presumed ingestion of contaminated and GMO food crops modified to contain the pesticide. Many of these pesticides found in GMO food crops are known carcinogens, suspected hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, and/or reproductive toxins. 

With Americans not afforded the right or luxury of having GMO's properly identified on our food labels (wouldn't you like to know what you're feeding our family?) as is standard practice in 64 other countries of the modern world, we must do our due diligence to keep our children's environments and little bodies clean. Inside and out. 

Since our skin is our largest largest organ, and does absorb quite a bit of what we put on it – I really have started to look at making sure everything that I put on my children's precious skin is natural. I skoff at the very thought of feeding my children store bought regular cows breast milk laden with hormones & antibiotics, but a few years ago used Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo - containing a known carcinogen! Talk about forest for the trees. And when I looked at the ingredients of my beloved "natural care" wipes, I was pretty shocked. There's really nothing natural about them. 

"My newborn (now four-month old) was suffering from terrible diaper rash almost as soon as he was born. 24hours after starting using these natural wipes with essential oils his rash had cleared and has never returned." 

Then a brand recently came out called Water Wipes. Perfect right? A brand of wipes that are 99.9% water and .1% grapefruit seed extract - what's more natural and awesome than water? This seems like a great solution – and then it hit me, I am paying how much per wipe that is mostly water?! I thought there must be a better, natural, effective and more budget friendly way. 


And there is.


Below is the organic, all natural, synthetic free, fragrance free, toxin free, yummy smelling and affectivewipes recipe. The blending of natural of castile soap, vegetable oil, and essential oils are an almost magical (you know you're a mom when great cleaning supplies are 'magical') combination that cuts through nearly anything to really clean, while leaving skin soft and chemical free.

These also work great for:
Make-up remover
On-the-go hand sanitizer
Car dashboard cleaner (forgot to secure that coffee lid?)
Car seat wipe down 
Crayon remover 
Leather purse wipe down (won't dry out and crack your beloved suitcase, erm, I mean purse)
 ______ {Insert body part here}

...and on! 




















Organic All-natural Homemade Wipes [for the whole family]
Easy and inexpensive 

Ingredients 
BPA-free tupperware container (large enough to comfortably fit a half roll of paper towels)
Bounty Select-a-Size paper towel roll (don't cheap out here and go with a generic brand, trust me)
Measuring cup
Sharp knife
2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoon Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castille Soap - Unscented 
2 tablespoons Organic Grapeseed, Almond, or Apricot oil 
1 tablespoon Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (a MUST for preventing yeast infections)
15-25 drops essential oils*

Instructions
Boil 2 cups of water.
Cut paper towel roll in half, remove cardboard inner tubing.
Add 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner’s soap, 2 tablespoons oil, and 15-25 drops of essential oils to water, mix thoroughly.
Put paper towel roll in container and pour hot water/oil/soap mixture evenly over towels (I tip mine upside down to thoroughly soak towels)
Pull wipes from center (or outside) & pat yourself on the back for being so clever in saving a buck while taking excellent care of that little bum!
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I utilize the power of essential oils as a natural antiseptic to give me peace of mind that I am properly cleaning these little bums, little grimy fingers, and cute snotty faces while at the same time not doing any damage to their unadulterated skin, and avoiding introducing toxic synthetic chemical substances into their little bodies. 

Play around with the scent & remedy with your oil mix. For my little one’s sensitive skin I use 10 drops Lavender, 5 drops Mel A, 3 drops Bergamot, & 5 drops Cedarwood. The Lavender soothes inflammation while being an antiseptic, Mel A (Tea Tree Oil) keeps away yeast, Bergamot citrus disinfects, and Cedarwood also soothes and promotes skin rejuvenation. 


WARNING: Be careful in using oils with citrus or menthol, as they can be “hot” on sensitive bits. Use only Young Living essential oils*, as they are the safest & purest

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*I only use and trust Young Living Essential oils for my family. They are the world leader in pure therapeutic grade essential oils and the only one to offer the Seed to Seal® promise. From the time the seed is sourced until the oil is sealed in the bottle, they apply the most rigorous quality controls possible to ensure that our families are receiving essential oils exactly the way nature intended. Young Living sets the standard for essential oil purity and authenticity. Click here for more details on how to purchase.

**The recipe is slightly modified from one given to me by a wonderfully talented postpartum doula and lactation consultant, Krista of Koru Care Postpartum Doula services. Thanks Krista!