Top 5 Baby Wipe Alternatives (Organic & Sustainable)

The delicate job of diaper duty rarely comes to mind when talking about the joys of parenting. Thank the stars for baby wipes, the diaper bag essential for helping moms and dads deal with a seemingly inexhaustible torrent of cleaning up poop.

But there’s a catch.

Most baby wipes contain microplastics, or tiny shreds of near-indestructible plastic that contaminate our waterways, ecosystems, and food chain. Many also contain other hidden chemicals that can irritate your little one’s sensitive skin

If you're looking for more sustainable (and safer) solutions, here are five baby wipe alternatives to pamper your baby while shaping a greener planet for them to grow up in.

What’s Wrong With Baby Wipes?

Every parent has a diaper disaster story they try to forget, and while baby wipes are a lifeline for time-pressed parents, most of them are far from natural.

Chemicals and parabens in everyday baby wipes may not be as soothing as the packet promises. And the imperishable materials in disposable baby wipes are an ever-expanding problem for the planet.

In 2019, the BBC revealed that an estimated 11 billion wet and baby wipes are used in the UK alone (0.84% of the global population). Around 90% of those contained microplastics. A micro problem on a macro scale.

Flushed down toilets and dumped in landfills, microplastics find their way into waterways. They have found their way into the food chain and even in our bodies, taking many lifetimes to degrade.

But microplastics are not the only worrisome aspect of these time-saving wipes. Baby wipes and wet wipes are mixing with sewage to form enormous "fatbergs" that clog sewers around the globe. If you've never seen a fatberg, you might want to keep it that way. Especially after eating.

Thankfully, an increasingly aware public is looking for baby wipe alternatives that are better for the planet and for our children. Here are five that are sustainable and will leave your little one feeling fresher than a daisy. Until the next feed, anyway…

1) La Petite Crème: Organic French Diapering Lotion

La Petite Crème is one of our favorite baby wipe alternatives when you want to take special care of your little angel and remove microplastics from your daily diaper routine.

Made with just six natural ingredients and zero harmful chemicals, La Petite Crème is an organic diaper cream that takes care of cleaning and moisturizing, a baby wipe and diaper lotion in one.

Made in the USA with an original French recipe, La Petite Crème is balanced to soothe and provides a layer of protection against diaper rash and redness.

We'd always recommend checking the contents of your baby products. With La Petite Crème, you can readily see how the ingredients act together to make an exceptional product.

• Water to clean
• Organic olive oil to protect
• Limestone to disinfect
• Vitamin E to nourish
• Organic glycerine to moisturize
• Organic beeswax to heal

We also love the design and functionality of the one-handed pump. A couple of squirts onto a dry wipe or a reusable cloth and you're ready to clean. An 8oz bottle will see you through diaper changes for 2-4 weeks, and it’s safe for children of all ages.

Layering on the ooh la la, La Petite Crème is USDA-certified organic and EWG (Environmental Working Group) verified. It's also certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

It’s hard to beat the convenience of baby wipes. But La Petite Crème could not be easier to use - an all-natural baby wipe alternative with a touch of French flair that's better for baby and the planet.

Click to purchase La Petite Crème's baby wipe alternative!

2) Cloth Baby Wipes

A baby wipes alternative that grandma would approve of is a simple wet cloth to clean baby's bottom au naturel. The headline benefit is that cloth wipes are reusable, which is always a positive for the environment.

To make this simple baby wipe alternative work, gather a handful of reusable cloths to see you through several wash cycles. Apply a splash of water to the cloth to clean the mess, then follow by a dollop of lotion to protect against nappy rash and itchy bottoms.

What’s the drawback of cloth wipes?

Well, your washing machine may be a little busier, especially when handling a dreaded diaper blowout. Frankly, there are easier-to-use baby wipe alternatives, particularly when out and about with little one.

But the absence of irritating chemicals and the cost savings can benefit your little one (and their college fund). Zero microplastics are another benefit your kids might thank you for.

3) Water Wipes

Water Wipes are popular baby wipe alternatives for parents who value the convenience of disposable wipes without the nasty stuff that irritates sensitive bottoms.

Water Wipes claim to be the “world’s purest baby wipes." The ingredients back that up, containing 99.9% water and a splash of grapefruit seed extract, a natural skin moisturizer. A trace of benzalkonium chloride, a preservative, is the only unwelcome ingredient.

Water Wipes are hypoallergenic and suitable for newborns. No animal testing and vegan ingredients are another plus for eco-conscious parents.

Water Wipes are now made with plant fibers, rendering them 100% biodegradable and free from microplastics, an improvement that earns them a place on this list.

While there are cheaper options out there, Water Wipes check the boxes for a sustainable baby wipe alternative you can swap into your diaper bag with minimal fuss.

4) Homemade Baby Wipes

If you want a job done well, do it yourself. You may not think that applies to baby wipes, but there are countless internet guides about how to DIY them.

The appeal of homemade baby wipes for eco-conscious parents is having greater control over what goes into the messy business of cleaning your bambino. Aloe vera, essential oils, olive oil; the potential for your creativity and your own proprietary natural baby wipes is limitless.

5) Biodegradable Baby Wipes

Our final suggestion for a sustainable and organic baby wipe alternative is actually a PSA to highlight the growing availability of biodegradable baby wipes.

Typically made with plant fibers, biodegradable baby wipes come sans microplastics and free from nasties like alcohol and parabens.

Biodegradable wipes are invariably more expensive, however they do exactly the same job and are compostable. Yay! That means they won’t be lingering in landfills when your babies are all grown up and changing diapers themselves!

The Best Baby Wipe Alternatives

Baby wipe alternatives are an opportunity to reduce your environmental footprint and give your baby the diaper care they deserve.

You don't have to make big changes to your diaper-changing routine. While products like La Petite Crème check all the boxes for sustainability and convenience, there are several other baby wipe alternatives that might work for your daily diaper routine. One thing is for sure, all the options will help eliminate microplastics and other environmental nasties our kids shouldn't have to grow up with.