The cloth wipes you use can make or break your cloth diapering experience. If, like me, you’ve ended up with poop-smeared hands — or worse — while trying to clean your wriggly baby’s butt, your wipes are likely not up to par.
Having purchased poor-quality cloth wipes too many times, I finally did some solid research to learn what to look for in cloth wipes — and what to avoid. I’ll share my findings here (hint: size matters!) and discuss how to care for your cloth wipes to get the most out of them.
I also spent hours comparing product specs, pouring over hundreds of reviews, and evaluating the size, fabrics, quality, and durability of dozens of cloth wipes. I’ve narrowed the list down to my top seven personal favorites and will outline their pros and cons to help you find the best fit for your budget and your baby’s needs.
Product Reviews
Here are our favorite cloth baby wipes on the market.
Charlie Banana Reusable Organic Cotton Wipes
Best Organic Wipes
The Charlie Banana wipes are a great choice if you’re looking for a plain cotton wipe.
These wipes are made with organically grown cotton yarn — a good choice for babies with reactive skin and parents concerned about using harsh products on their baby’s most sensitive parts.
These single-ply wipes are thin, allowing you to fit more in your wipes container. However, they tend to stick together when folded, making these a little trickier to use when you’re dealing with a big blowout.
At just about six inches square, these are a great size for day-to-day diaper changes. And if you decide they aren’t quite right for your diaper routine, these wipes are super versatile. You can use them for after-meal cleanup, diaper changes, bath duty, or house tidying. They’re sturdy, soft, and a great organic option.
HipHop Panda Bamboo Washcloths
Best Alternative Material Wipes
These washcloths are not labeled as baby wipes, but they are one of our favorites for cloth diaper cleanups. Not only are they incredibly soft and luxurious, but the organic bamboo and cotton velour is also anti-microbial and hypoallergenic. The fabric is absorbent and works well, even on the most sensitive skin.
These wipes are double-sided, with the bamboo side providing the texture you need for big messes. The cotton velour offers a great super-soft option for times where you don’t need to bring in heavy-duty equipment.
These cloths are truly oversized at 10 inches square. At this size, you can often get away with using just one wipe, even for heavy-duty messes. This is a good thing, as they are so plush that you won’t be able to fit dozens of them in your diaper bag.
GroVia Reusable Cloth Diaper Wipes
Best Terry Cloth Wipes
GroVia wipes have been a top choice among cloth-diapering parents for years, as they’re designed with your baby’s comfort in mind. Although they’re a little smaller than some options, these soft poyester and cotton blend wipes won’t shrink much in the wash.
GroVia offers a complete line of cloth diaper products, and I love that these wipes are compatible with a wipe warmer. It’s a great option for soothing tender skin and for diaper changes during brisk weather.
You may find these wipes shed excess fibers in the beginning. This should only last the first few washes and won’t impact the functionality or life expectancy of the wipe.
Buttons Flannel Reusable Wipes
Best Budget Buy
These wipes strike a great balance between quality and affordability. They’re generously sized at 7.5-inches square, and are made from 100% unbleached cotton flannel.
Soft and effective, Buttons flannel wipes are a great choice for getting your cloth wipe collection up and running.
As these wipes are single-ply, you may find you use more during diaper changes than when using double-ply. However, the generous number of wipes in this pack of 15 helps offset that drawback. You may even opt to buy more than one pack because of how inexpensive and versatile they are.
In my experience, many wipes with a serged edge are made with polyester thread, which can create rough edges on otherwise soft wipes. I also love that these cloth wipes use son threading for assembly.
Birdseye Cotton Cloth Wipes
Best Cotton Wipes
Birdseye is a longtime fixture in cloth diapering. It has been used in flat cloth diapers for decades. It stands to reason you could find an equally good use for it in reusable wipes.
I may be partial to these organic cotton cloth wipes because they’re my favorite size — 8 inches square. I love the large quantity that comes in this set and the splash of color on the edges. It almost makes diaper changes fun.
These are double-ply wipes, which I generally prefer to single-ply. Having two layers gives you a little extra thickness to help keep your hands clean and wipe messes quickly.
This cotton is absorbent and sturdy. Like other cotton products, you’ll likely find these become softer with more use and washes.
OsoCozy Organic Flannel Wipes
Best Flannel Wipes
Flannel is my fabric of choice when it comes to wipes. It’s soft, hard to stain, and up for the task of hard-core diaper duty.
These 9-inch flannel wipes from OsoCozy are an organic flannelette. They’re extra soft, and though they’re one-ply, they’re a great addition to your stash.
I love that these wipes are oversized at 9 inches. You can expect them to shrink a little after their first wash and dry, though. The great news is they’ll continue to soften with use and washing.
You’ll also find a few washes give the wipes a softer, fuzzier texture. It goes a long way toward making diaper changes quick and easy.
Babygoal Reusable Bamboo Cloth Wipes
Best On-The-Go Cloth Wipes
At just under 5 inches, these Babygoal bamboo wipes are perfect for diaper bags. Absorbent and soft, they’re a great option for cleaning dirty hands and faces as well as diaper changes.
While I love oversized wipes at home, they just aren’t as convenient when I’m out and about. These wipes give me the same cloth feel I love at home with the convenience I need when I’m running around.
I prefer two-ply wipes, and these are a great example of why. They’re soft, cushy, and have great absorbency. You’ll likely notice these wipes become more absorbent with use, as it can take a few washes to fully break the fibers in.
How to Choose Cloth Wipes
There are two main things you’ll want to check out when shopping for wipes. The first is size. The second is material.
Size
Cloth wipes come in a wide range of sizes, so you’ll want to pay attention to ensure you get the best fit.
The smallest cloth wipes are usually about 5 inches square. These might be good for a quick wipe-up after your baby pees, but they won’t help much if you’re trying to clean up a massive blowout.
I’ve discovered that the best cloth wipes are at least 8 inches square, as they’re large enough to tackle whatever my baby has in store for me.
They’re easy to fold for a clean side, and I don’t need to use as many. It’s also a good size for folding and stacking — you can even pop them in an old disposable wipes container for a simple storage solution.
Cloth wipes are usually square, though you may occasionally find rectangular or even round wipes.
Fabric
Fabric choice is important when selecting your wipes. Overall, you want something that’s going to be soft, thick, and safe for your baby’s skin. There are many great fabric choices for cloth wipes, but the best fit for you will depend on your preferences.
- Cotton: This is one of the most common fabrics for baby wipes, and it comes in a variety of types. Brushed cotton, like flannel, is both soft and absorbent. This is great when gentle cleaning is necessary but may endup smearing bigger messes around, rather than cleaning them up. A soft cotton terry is a good choice for cleaning blowouts, solid-food poops, and even diarrhea. Terry is more textured than flannel, so it “grabs” the messes and holds on to them better than a smooth fabric.
- Bamboo: As bamboo is one of the most renewable resources, this fabric is a favorite among moms who care about the environment. Like cotton, it comes in various forms, including soft, fleecy terry or a flat, tougher weave.
- Hemp: Another environmentally friendly option, hemp fabric makes for a durable wipe that is gentle on your baby’s skin. It has a high absorbency factor, so it can hold a lot of liquid for a cleaner wash-up.
- Microfiber: Microfiber is a highly absorbent fabric with lots of cleaning power. However, some forms of it can be very drying to the skin. We don’t recommend it for regular use as it can be a little too harsh for a baby’s sensitive skin, but it is useful for those occasional extra-big messes. Just be sure to follow it up with a little lotion or oil to prevent irritation.
- Microfleece: Although microfleece wipes can be harder to find, they’re a great choice for cleaning poop messes. The fleece is great for picking up thicker messes, and it’s soft and gentle on a baby’s bottom. These wipes are also super easy to make. Purchase microfleece, and cut it into 8-inch squares. No sewing required! However, they don’t absorb liquid as well as most other options. This means they remain lightweight, which is good for travel, but if you like a lot of water on your cloth wipes, microfleece may not be the best choice.
Many wipes will come in a blend of two or more fabrics. We love wipes that consist of two layers with a different fabric on each side — a smoother fabric like flannel for gentle cleansing and a textured fabric like terry for bigger messes.
Caring for Your Cloth Wipes
Unlike with disposable wipes, you will have to wash and take care of reusable wipes. But it’s not hard to do, especially considering the money you’ll save.
Exclusively breastfed bowel movements are entirely water soluble. Simply collect your used wipes in a dedicated bin, and toss them in the laundry by themselves or with your cloth diapers at the end of the day.
Have an older child eating table foods or a bottle-fed baby? You’ll need to take an extra step.
You should discard any solid waste in the toilet and give the wipe a quick rinse before washing. You can use a handheld diaper sprayer or simply dunk and swish the wipe in the toilet. I recommend the diaper sprayer method. They are easy to attach to your toilet and use.
You may wash the wipes in either hot or cold water. While I rarely ran cycles twice when I had a newborn, I frequently do with a toddler. Your choice will depend on how clean your wipes get in your washer.
Hanging wipes to dry in the sunshine will help them dry quickly, and the sun will bleach any stains out of them, keeping them looking fresh and clean. However, they won’t feel as soft after line drying as they will if you dry them in the dryer. I like to get the best of both and hang them to dry alongside my cloth diapers, then throw them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften before storing.
Cloth Wipes FAQs
Are Cloth Wipes Worth It?
Cloth wipes can be worth it for those looking for an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to disposable wipes. They are reusable, gentle on the baby’s skin, and reduce waste.
Do Wipes Clean Better Than Toilet Paper?
For babies, cloth wipes can clean better than toilet paper, as they are typically more gentle and effective at cleaning without causing irritation. They can be moistened for added cleaning power.
How Many Cloth Wipes Do I Need?
The number of cloth wipes needed depends on how frequently you do laundry, but having around 20-30 wipes is a good start. This allows for enough wipes between washings.
How Long Do Cloth Wipes Last?
Cloth wipes can last for several years with proper care. Their lifespan depends on the material quality and how frequently they are used and washed.
How Do You Sanitize Cloth Wipes?
To sanitize cloth wipes, wash them in hot water with a mild detergent and consider using a natural disinfectant like vinegar in the rinse cycle. Some parents also choose to boil them occasionally for deep cleaning.
What are the Benefits of Cloth Wipes?
The benefits of cloth wipes include cost savings over time, reduced environmental impact, gentleness on baby’s skin, and the avoidance of chemicals often found in disposable wipes.
