Cloth wipes are one of those small things that make everyday life both easier and a little softer – for your baby, your wallet and your bin. They’re simply reusable fabric wipes: you dampen them with water (or use them dry) and then wash them with everything else. This guide covers what they are, how to use them and why so many parents fall for them.
From Emelie: If you feel unsure – start small. One or two 5-packs are plenty to try, and you don’t need any complicated routine. Water on a soft wipe, wipe, pop it in the wash with the nappies. That’s the whole secret. Most people find it’s easier than they expected, and that they appreciate them more than the disposable kind.
What are cloth wipes?
A cloth wipe is exactly what it sounds like: a small, soft piece of fabric that replaces the disposable wipe. Ours are made from bamboo terry (80% bamboo, 20% polyester), measure 24 × 24 cm and are OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified – tested and free from harmful substances, which feels reassuring so close to your baby’s skin. Blending in some polyester is a deliberate choice: it makes the wipes hard-wearing enough to handle wash after wash for many years, so a single product can replace masses of disposable wipes. Bamboo is naturally soft and pliable, and the wipes keep their shape wash after wash.
An easy way in – even if you use disposables
Something many people don’t think about: you don’t need to use cloth nappies to use cloth wipes. They work just as well alongside disposable nappies – or entirely outside the nappy world, for sticky fingers and faces. For many they actually become the first little door into the world of reusables: a simple, cheap way to try what it’s like to rinse, wash and reuse, without changing everything at once. And most people are surprised at how easy it is.
How to use them
There’s no right or wrong – use them however suits you:
- Dampened with water at nappy changes. Rinse under the tap or keep a small bowl of lukewarm water near the changing table.
- Dry to wipe a sticky mouth, little hands or a dribbly chin.
- As an extra insert or booster – they’re absorbent and work nicely as a newborn insert. Two cloth wipes folded together make a perfect extra booster if you hit a stretch where your baby wees more.
After use, collect them in a wet bag – a waterproof fabric pouch that keeps moisture and smell in until it’s time to wash. It’s a really handy way to store them, both at home and on the go. If you already use cloth nappies you just toss the wipes into the same wash; otherwise you gather them up and run a 60°C wash once you’ve a decent pile. A small wet bag mini holds about five wipes and fits in your handbag.
Gentle on the skin
For many this is the biggest point. Ordinary disposable wipes often contain fragrance and preservatives, and for sensitive or newly delivered skin that can be exactly what irritates. That’s why we recommend water and a soft wipe for the littlest ones in the first weeks, and fragrance- and alcohol-free if you do use wipes. A cloth wipe with just water is about as simple and gentle as it gets.
If your baby has a sore or red bottom it’s worth being extra gentle. We’ve gathered more on that in the guide Nappy rash – what it is and how cloth nappies can help.
How many do you need?
It depends on how often you use them. As a rough guide: a couple of 5-packs are fine to get started and see how it feels, and if you want to use cloth wipes full-time, around 15–25 gives a comfortable margin between washes. Just like with nappies, it’s easy to top up at your own pace – you don’t need to buy it all at once.
Washing and care
Cloth wipes are looked after just like your cloth nappies:
- Wash at 60°C – ideally with the cloth nappies if you use them, otherwise in a normal 60°C wash with other things.
- Skip fabric softener and bleach. Softener can leave a thin film on the fabric – no great effect on how they work, but we simply think it’s unnecessary.
- Air dry where you can.
If you’d like to read more about the washing itself, it’s all in our washing guide.
Better for the environment – and your wallet
Let’s be honest here: many of the wipes sold in Sweden today are actually plastic-free and eco-labelled – often carrying the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and made from renewable wood fibres. So the idea that “all wipes are plastic” no longer holds for what you’ll usually find on the shelf.
The real gain with a cloth wipe is therefore less about the material and more about it being used again and again. A disposable wipe – even a plastic-free one – is used once and thrown away, and you keep buying new packs. A cloth wipe is washed and reused hundreds of times. Over time that means less waste and fewer purchases. It’s rarely the single biggest saving in the baby budget, but it’s one of the easiest habits to change, and it sticks around for a long time.
And to be clear: disposable wipes aren’t the enemy – they can be a handy backup when travelling, at the childminder’s or when things just need to be quick. If you do choose disposables, do look for plastic-free and fragrance-free ones (often Nordic Swan Ecolabel) – gentlest on the skin and kindest to the environment.
Other uses
As the children get older, cloth wipes rarely stop being useful – they’re hard-wearing and tend to move on to household duties instead. One little thing I do myself: a wipe with a bit of soap on it, and I wipe down the inside of the washing machine door and the rubber seal alongside a wash once a week or so. That way the machine never becomes a big cleaning project, and the wipes are on the go anyway.
FAQ
Is it hygienic?
Yes. For poo, rinse off the worst and pop the wipe in the wet bag or pail, then wash everything at 60°C. Same principle as for the cloth nappies.
Do I need any product on them?
No, plain water is plenty and gentlest. If you like, you can put a little mild, fragrance-free oil on the wipe – many prefer that to a ready-made solution – but it isn’t needed.
Can they start to smell?
No – we haven’t experienced that in ten years. Wash them regularly at 60°C and skip the softener, and they’ll stay fresh.
Do they work from newborn?
Yes, and especially then – water on a soft wipe is a gentle choice for the very smallest skin. They also double as a newborn insert.
Psst – a 5-pack of cloth wipes comes with all our starter kits, so if you already have one at home it’s easy to top up.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mum of three, curious about how we as parents can make thoughtful everyday choices.