15 Alternative Uses For Baby Wipes

At Cheeky Wipes HQ, we've been using reusable wipes for the last 18 years.  They're fantastic multi-taskers in many situations, not just for nappy changing and mealtime clean-ups.  Here's our list of the Top 15 alternative uses for reusable baby wipes:

Nappy changing

Obviously as they're brilliant for removing poo and gently cleansing.  WAY better than single use wipes which are flimsy and expensive.   Reusable wipes will save you money too.  Not convinced?  Read our post 'are reusable wipes good'

Kids Mealtimes

Not just for cleaning mucky hands and faces but also for wiping down the area around. You can even soak our wipes in the mucky oil 'teatree and treatree lemon' oil solution to use specifically for cleaning the table and high chair. Even if your baby is out of nappies, they could still need their face wiped after mealtimes for many years (my 8 yr old still sometimes needs a Cheeky Wipe).

Adult Mealtimes

Just like in a chinese restaurant, if you're eating something mucky with your hands (BBQ Ribs for example), it's a lovely idea to bring out some warm damp Cheeky Wipes for your adult guests. You can soak them in the water and lovely mucky oil solution with the fabulous lemony smell, then just microwave them to warm up for 10 or 20 seconds. Gorgeous.

Toilet Paper Alternative

So if you're squeamish I understand that this might seem extreme. But seriously, switching to reusable wipes instead of toilet roll or wipes is a game changer.  After all, if you got dog poo on your arm, you wouldn't just wipe it off with a tissue would you?  Plus for all you ladies out there, no leftover bits of toilet paper in your vulva.  Just a fresh clean fanny!  Read our guide to going toilet paper free for more info.

Intimate Wipes

You may have a teenage boy who seems to be getting through packets and packets of tissues whilst enjoying some alone time.  Perhaps you don't enjoy spending time sleeping in a damp patch in bed yourself after naked time with your partner.  It might even be that you simply want to enjoy feeling fresh during your period.  No matter which, using reusable intimate wipes leaves you feeling much fresher than using tissue alone, especially when teamed with our wet and wipe spray.

Make-up removal

I've mentioned this before, but using a warm damp Cheeky Wipes and some coconut oil makes an AMAZING make-up remover.  Or of course, you can choose our specially designed reusable makeup removing pads for the purpose?

Pet Wipes

If you've got a 4 legged friend, you'll know how mucky they can get after walkies.  Many people are switching to washable pet wipes to clean their mucky pups feet when they bring them in from a walk. Also good for wiping poo-ey bottoms, or a cooling wipe for bitches in heat.

Cooling Fever Wipes

If your LO has got a high temperature, laying a cool damp Cheeky Wipe on their hot brow can help bring their temperature down (and feels lovely too)

Teething chews

This one is very popular in our house. Take a clean, damp Cheeky Wipe or other washable cotton baby wipe and place in the freezer until good and cold. Remove and let your dribbly teething bubba chew away and soothe their sore gums.

Emergency Wipes in the car / buggy

I keep a stash of clean dry wipes in the car and in the bottom of my buggy. That way if I have any unexpected 'incidents' (travel sick children is the one occasion that springs to mind. Or the time my daughter was sick on a roundabout in a park), I can deal with them easily, using them dry for absorbency or just damp with some water for cleaning.

'Incident' cleaning

Washable wipes are brilliant for cleaning up after 'incidents' around the home. Whether that is potty training related 'poo behind the sofa' type incident, or 'puke in the middle of the night' or 'random poo on mattress', Cheeky Washable Wipes will help clean that mess up quickly. Again, if they're soaked in water and the the mucky tea tree and teatree lemon oil solution, it's also anti-bacterial which is brilliant.

Tissues for Snotty noses

I simply don't use tissue paper for snotty noses.  Instead our gorgeous flannel wipes are supersoft, particularly when dry and for this reason they make amazing nose wipers. I always have one or two tucked in my pocket when I've got the cold as they're so much more gentle than tissues on chapped, sore noses!

Cooling Sports Wipes

Jasmine, the daughter of my lovely partner Suzanne at www.cheekywipes.com.au uses cool damp Cheeky Wipes at sporting events to cool down. The wipes are kept damp in the fridge and then distributed to her netball team at half-time for a refreshing wipe down which everyone enjoys!

Car Wipes

Several Dads mentioned this to me. They like to keep some wipes in the car for using after filling the car with petrol, wetting them with either water or anti-bacterial hand solution. This one never occurred to me before but I can see the uses!

Festival Wipes

Take your Cheeky Wipes soaked in the mucky teatree and teatree lemon solution, soaked and ready to go and they make perfect Festival Wipes. Use one or two when necessary to keep smelling super-sweet, without braving the shower queue!

Travel Wipes

Anyone who flies long distance knows that you can end up at your final destination feeling grubby and yucky. On my recent trip to Australia for the Sydney baby show, I took my Cheeky Wipes in a cute double wetbag, soaked with a little bit of each essential oil - the lavender and chamomile for soothing and the teatree lemon for it's anti-bacterial qualities. I had a quick wipe down before I went to sleep, then again just before landing. Lovely.

Fake-tan remover wipes

If (like me) you're a bit rubbish at putting on fake-tan, then a wet washable cloth wipe or Cheeky Wipe could help save you from that 'orange ankle' look. Simply apply your fake tan as usual, then immediately use a clean dry Cheeky Wipe to gently remove excess fake tan from those trouble zones, like ankles, knees and elbows.

Mosquito Repellent Wipes

Rather than using DEET laden products, try making your own insect repellent wipes, especially important if you've got little ones (have you ever tried spraying bug spray on them - nightmare!).

Soak your Cheeky Wipes in an alcohol based solution which has the active essential oils added to it, in the ratio of one part essential oil to 15 parts solution (so 10ml of oil, 150ml solution. You can use Vodka or Witch Hazel (which is available in chemists) for this.

Mix the solution up and soak the wipes as usual, the use the wipes to gently rub over exposed skin. Good essential oils to try are cinnamon, lemon eucalyptus, citronella, which also all smell great. One thing to note is that it's always a good idea to do a patch skin test first to check for reactions.

Again, these are just a few of our favourites. If you've got any more to share, please feel free to leave a comment! You can see our full range of wipes here.  If you enjoyed this article, you may also like these as further reading:

• What's the best size for washable wipes?
• FAQ's - What are microfibre wipes?

About the author: Helen Rankin is a Mum of 4 and founded Cheeky Wipes,  the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after using disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up badly. She went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable sanitary pads and reusable makeup removing pads. The Cheeky team pride themselves on providing relatable friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.