Finding eco-friendly products that include ingredients that are truly safe for your little one’s skin can be a challenge. Many DIY recipes are complicated and include ingredients that you’ve never heard of before. 

Keep scrolling to read about a few simple recipes that will safely cleanse and gently soothe even the most sensitive skin. We’ve also included a recipe for an effective 3-ingredient, non-toxic toy cleaner. The best part is that each recipe features ingredients that you probably already have in your own home! 

 

Diaper Rash Cream

The main ingredients in this cream are ultra-calming chamomile tea and coconut oil. Coconut oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and natural healing properties, making it the perfect ingredient in a salve for irritated skin. If double-boiling isn’t your thing, scroll down to my simplified version below.

 

Ingredients

 

• ¾ cup coconut oil
• 1 chamomile tea bag
• 1 ½ tablespoons of beeswax
• A few drops of lavender oil

 

Method

 

#1 – Using a double boiler, add the coconut oil and tea bag and let them steep for a few minutes until the oil is slightly colored.

#2 – Add the beeswax (chunks are fine!) and essential oil

#3 – Heat for approximately 20 minutes letting the mixture thicken, then remove the tea bag and allow it to fully cool*

#4 – Add to a squeeze bottle or jar and keep for up to one month.

*If your mixture is too runny, just add more beeswax

 

Simplified Version

 

• 1 part coconut oil
• 1 part cornstarch
• 1-2 drops of lavender oil

 

Coconut oil is a fantastic skin soother, and the cornstarch helps thicken and preserve the cream. Lavender oil will give it an extra inflammation-reducing boost. Mix these ingredients together, add to a container, and keep for up to a month.

 

 

Washable Wipes Solution

Traditional disposable wipes can contain microplastics, formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, skin-irritating fragrances, and potentially harmful preservatives. Like disposable diapers, they do not break down easily and stay in a landfill for decades. Along with being non-toxic and eco-friendly, washable wipes are very cost effective since once you invest in a few, you can use them forever. These little cotton squares can be bought online or you can make your own if you’re handy with a needle and thread. If you use cloth diapers, you can easily toss them in the wash with your usual diaper load.

 

Chamomile Wash Recipe

 

This delightfully soothing wash helps prevent minor skin irritations, and like my favorite diaper rash concoction, the all-star of this recipe is chamomile tea. A drop of lavender essential oil gives them a heavenly scent, and will help soothe minor skin irritations. You’ll already have most of these ingredients on hand if you’re following the above Diaper Rash Cream recipe, so you can make batches of these products together.

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 chamomile tea bag
• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 tsp of baby body wash
• 1 tsp of liquid coconut oil or almond oil
• 1 drop of lavender oil

 

 

 

Erbaviva Organic Baby Body Wash

 

$18

BUY NOW

 

 

Method

 

#1 – Fill a lidded jar, plastic wipes container, or tupperware container with hot water and add your tea bag. 

#2 – Let this cool down for about 20 minutes, give the tea bag a good squeeze, and add the remainder of your ingredients. 

#3 – Now add enough cloth wipes into the container so that they’re saturated and ready for use.

 

Make a new batch every three days to keep the solution from going rancid. Putting a little bit in a cosmetic spray bottle is great for tossing in the diaper bag and using on the go.

 

 

Skin Soothing Wash Recipe

 

This recipe is fabulous if your child has frequent diaper rash. Honey is a magical diaper-rash-soothing wonder and will gently heal an irritated bottom in no time at all.

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 chamomile tea bag
• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 tsp of honey

 

Method

 

Use the same method as above. 

 

 

Toy Cleaner

Babies love putting their hands and mouths all over everything, especially their toys. This toy cleaning recipe has only three ingredients and skips the harmful chemicals and preservatives that many commercial cleaning products include. The acidity in vinegar makes it an excellent cleaner, and it is able to naturally dissolve dirt and yucky residues in a flash.

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part warm water
• A few drops of your favorite essential oil

 

Method

 

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle or bucket, grab a rag, and wipe away! Use on toys, pacifiers, frequently touched surfaces, or any part of your home that could use a safe but effective clean. 

 

Continue exploring

• More about non-toxic living: 5 Steps to Detox Your Life and Home
• Are your baby wipes safe?: Better Baby Wipes