I started out 5 years ago with simple flannel wipes, made of one layer of fabric. It was the cheapest option at the time, short of making them myself for free. Although I know flannel is still a very popular option, they just haven’t worked out well for us. Flannel is smooth and doesn’t have much texture, and that means little to no scrubbing power. Also, it also takes more of them to clean up a mess as opposed to a heftier wipe, so you have to have more on hand. And is it just me or do flannel wipes like to cling to everything in the dryer?
Here are the wipes I’m using most often now – my current “favorites,” if you will. Please share your favorites with me in a comment below!
Oko Creations Organic Cotton Baby Wipes: If you are looking for a reusable wipe made with organic fibers, this is my top pick. Oko’s wipes are an eco-friendly 80% certified organic cotton and 20% polyester that’s made in Canada. The size is about 8.5″ square after washing. They have a smooth side and a nubby side, which to me is the ultimate feature in a cloth wipe because you can effectively clean a stuck-on mess, and then use the other side to “finish” the job. These wipes do not get stiff or crunchy over time like other wipes made of natural fibers (i.e. hemp and bamboo). Two of them will do the job of 4 or 5 other thinner wipes. Oko Creations sent me these wipes as a no-strings-attached gift last year, but I ended up loving them, and using them daily, so they naturally ended up in today’s feature.
They also double as lovely hand and face wipes, or bath cloths, and the natural color helps hide minor stains.
You can buy at Oko’s online shop. Oko also sells a slightly smaller, thicker wipe that’s more like a washcloth and perfect for face and hands. The organic small face cloth measures 7″ square.
GroVia Wipes: After reading rave reviews about GroVia wipes, I bought some for myself. They are plain white and made of a unique blend of 88% polyester and 12% cotton baby terry. The result is a wipe that stays really soft, holds its shape and dries quickly. The cotton terry is finer and softer than a typical baby washcloth. They are a standard 8×8 size, which fits folded in half in a wipes cases. As a bonus, this durable fabric can be safely bleached. Not too thin and not too thick. As Baby Bear says: “Just right.” The price is very nice, too; you get one dozen for $10.95. I’ve used ours daily for over a year now, and they are holding up superbly, even at the serged edges. You can find GroVia wipes with free shipping at Diaper Junction and Diaper Safari.
Terry Washcloths: You can buy packs of baby washcloths at any dollar store or superstore. They are one layer of cotton or cotton blend terry and measure 8″ square. These are nice if you want something cheap, and not bulky, but with texture (unlike flannel). The terry texture is perfect for messes, but they are thin enough to get into crevices. My pack from K Mart contained 10 and cost me $5, so that comes out to 50 cents each. Nice! They range in softness, depending on the brand and the fabric content. The colors and prints are fun, too.
So tell me your favorites! Have you tried any of the types I featured?
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During their retailers sale, I got some Grovia wipes, but have not had the chance to use them. I have some Button wipes, that I do like, but wish were not so thin! I like the textured wipes because it makes it easier to clean up!
I agree on the Buttons wipes. They did release some velour ones last year as an alternative to the flannel.
Thanks for the review Anne! I love baby washcloths! The cloth wipes I’ve tried are too thick for my taste. I prefer the thinner wash cloths.
Thanks, Maggie! I also love that they are so easy to find, and in a variety of prints and colors! ~Anne
Perfect timing! Just today I was experimenting with different wipes and wondering which ones other people would recommend (I’ve always used fleece squares soaked in solution and kept in a wipes warmer, but I would love to try something faster, and fleece really only works if you have time to squeeze the fluid through the fabric beforehand). I think I’ll go look into the GroVia wipes now!
That’s so interesting that you’ve tried fleece, Carolyn. I never would have pegged it as a wipe fabric since it is made to wick, but a wipe doesn’t really need to be absorbent anyway. And fleece is soft and cheap! ~Anne
Yep! You can’t beat the price of fleece scraps (I bought enough for a billion liners and wipes for less than $5) and once they’re damp they’re really great (just enough texture to scrub poop off but not so textured that they’re rough on the skin, and you can fold them and reuse them multiple times!). But I bought a bunch of the GroVia ones and look forward to trying those, too
The only wipes I have tried are Grovia and Charlie Banana. Maybe I was just spoiled by the amazing Grovia wipes first that once I tried the Charlie Banana, I had extremely high standards. Needless to say, I am not a fan of the Charlie Banana wipes and am a HUGE fan of Grovia!
Thanks for sharing your experience with both brands, Alix! ~Anne
Honestly? I made them myself. I took three of my husband’s softest, oldest t-shirts and cut them into 7×7 squares. I toss mine in the wipes warmer with a homemade solution. They work very well. They are soft on tushies, effective at cleaning, and never stitck to the sides of the dryer. I do, however, have to keep them in a mesh laundry bag when in the washer because they have slipped through and clogged the mechanics of the machine once or twice.
Suzy, I think that’s fantastic! Did you serge or zig zag the edges to keep them from fraying or curling up? I love your idea of washing them separately in a mesh bag. Genius! ~Anne
No, actually. I just cut them. Since the material is knit, it naturally curls a bit and hasn’t frayed in almost two years of cloth diapering. It was definitely the quick and easy way to go for us. (And my husband insisted on the mesh bag after taking apart our washer twice. Oops).
(By the way, I think you and I went to college together. My maiden name is Eichelberg).
We absolutely DID go to college together, Suzy!! I’d love to hear how your family is doing! Are you still in Mississippi? ~Anne
We left MS four years ago when my husband accepted a position at a church in Springfield, Missouri. I’ll find you on Facebook
My favorite right now are the Grovia. I have some DIY flannel ones and cheap baby wash cloths, but I love the thickness and texture of my Grovia.
I have also been using the baby washcloths we bought when our first was born, but I’d like to try something new now.
My friend loves everything organic and I’m thinking those pretty Oko wipes would be a perfect shower gift! Thank you for the suggestions!
This is a great Review for the different of reusable cloth wipes! Thank you !!