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Home » Tips

Homemade Reusable Face Wipes – Easy DIY Project for Pennies a Week!

Published: Jun 9, 2014 · Modified: Feb 1, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Making my own DIY Reusable Homemade Face Wipes for 71 Cents per Week is a game changer! These easy little wipes that only take a couple minutes to make will cut down your cosmetic budget so much that you won’t turn back!

jar of reusable face wipes on a wooden board with facial soap
It only Costs $0.71 per Week to Make These DIY Face Wipes
Contents hide
1 🧼 Ingredients
2 👩 Instructions
3 How to Use
4 📌 Items to Note
5 Storage
6 Cost Breakdown
7 DIY Homemade Face Wipes

Face wipes are just so darn convenient. They also make my wallet cry. When I realized I was spending $6 on only two weeks’ worth of wipes, I decided to make my own. Making them allows me to save money, be a little more green, and continue to use a product that I love in a more convenient way, all while making it stretch further.

The initial investment is going to be the washcloths and the jar with the lid. After that, this is so cheap to make as it’s just the two tablespoons of Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash every 1-2 months or so, depending on how much you use face wipes. 

🧼 Ingredients

Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash – Face wash is a fairly gently soap that is just perfect for this recipe. I found it at Walmart and Target.

Washcloths – I bought a new package just for this recipe, but you can use any you have around the house

Large jar with lid – The key here is the lid. Without it, the water will evaporate and you’ll be left with fry cloths. Mine was large enough to hold a week’s worth of wipes.

ingredients for DIY Face Wipes
Just a Few Simple Ingredients

👩 Instructions

Step One: Measure distilled water into a microwave safe container. Microwave for about 90 seconds (should be warm to the touch, not burning hot).

Step Two: Pour 1/2 of water into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the measured amount of foaming face wash. Whisk until bubbly.

Step Three: Using clean hands, place your washcloths in the bowl and massage them into the mixture in order to coat them. Add in the remaining water and massage the mixture into the cloths until they’re all saturated. If you see a mountain of bubbles forming, it’s totally normal.

Step Four: Grab your bowl, squeeze the cloths and flip your bowl over a sink to let the liquid drain out. Squeeze some more until you’ve removed as much of the liquid from the cloths as possible.

Step Five: Fold washcloths into quarters and place them inside your jar. Stack them so you’ll easily be able to reach in for another day after day. Then place the lid on your jar and you’re done!

That was easy, wasn’t it? No chemist skills required.

three photos showing how to whisk the soap, soak the cloths and store in a jar
Simple Instructions Will Only Take a Few Minutes!

How to Use

Fast method: Gently rub the wipe over your face to cleanse. Run the cloth under water and wring it out. Use a clean wipe over your face to remove any remaining cleanser. It can really be a 15 second process if you’re in a rush.

Relaxing Method (My preferred): Gently rub the wipe over your face to cleanse. Run the cloth under the hottest water you can handle and wring it out. Gently press clean wipe over your face. Leave it on until it cools (about 20 seconds), then gently rub the wipe over your face to remove any remaining cleanser. This makes me feel like I’m at a spa and I do this when I have a few minutes to spare in the morning. This is also where using nice washcloths can really make a huge difference. The foamy action of the Clean and Clear is so luxurious! You are going to love it!!! 

Adding the last DIY Face Wipe to the jar

📌 Items to Note

The first time I did this, I used full sized washcloths and only made seven washcloths to last a week. This was an inconvenience since I prefer to wash my face twice per day. Since then, I’ve cut the washcloths in half to make 14 wipes, which is enough for two uses per day. You have to love my math skills, right? 😀

The washcloths do fray if you cut them. I’m okay with this. If you aren’t and have some sewing skills it is pretty simple to sew the edges to prevent fraying.

Update: I no longer recommend cutting your washcloths in half without sewing the edges. After a few washes, they are ridiculously difficult to untangle from one another. I’m now back to using full-sized washcloths. But if you have sewing skills, you can sew up the frayed ends and eliminate this issue. 

Laundering: At the end of the week, I place the wipes in a lingerie bag (so I’m not hunting for them later), and simply throw them in with a load of bath and kitchen towels. No extra fuss!

When I take them out of the dryer, I take a few minutes to make my own face wipes all over again. It is super simple and takes just a few minutes. Once you make them a couple times, it takes less than five minutes to do this so it’s so worth the money savings and it is better for the environment. 

Storage

I keep my used face wipes in a lidded container (tupperware or glass) on the bathroom counter. The lid isn’t a necessity. I just use it to hide the mess. In fact, I never fully close the lid on the container. I just rest the lid in an offset position which leaves about an inch of open space on one side. This is to allow air to circulate, which should prevent mold. I’ve now done this a few weeks and have not had any mold issues.

jar of face wipes ready for use

Speaking of mold, it’s important to use distilled water since that also works in preventing mold. Don’t ask me why or how (beats me), but for some reason it works. If you do not use distilled water, it’s at your own risk, and you are more likely to develop issues.

If you do experience mold, soak the washcloths in a container of bleach water overnight and it will kill it. Then, wash in the washing machine on a hot cycle as usual. 

Cost Breakdown 

Initial Investment: 

Washcloths – I bought them at Homegoods for $4 for four of them. I bought two packs so I would have one a day. 

Jar – I bought it at Homegoods for $5 

These items will not be purchased again and if you choose NOT to keep making wipes can be used for other purposes. I like experiments like that! 

Weekly Expense: 

Clean and Clear Facial Soap – I bought it at Walmart for $4.47 and I’ll get eight jars worth = $0.56 

Distilled Water – I bought it at Walmart for $0.80 and I’ll get 16 cups worth. I need three cups of distilled water per jar = $0.15

TOTAL PER JAR: $0.71!!!! This is a per week after the initial investment of the jar and the washcloths!!! HELLO! I was paying $6 for two weeks worth when I purchased the pre-made mixtures from the store! This is totally worth it for the less than 5 minutes it takes me to make these!!! 

Related Tutorials

DIY Dove Body Wash – I love this beauty hack! It has saved me so much money!

Homemade Fabric Softener – I was surprised how easy it was to make my own fabric softener for the laundry. It made a world of difference!

carefully stacking the soaked face wipes in a jar

DIY Homemade Face Wipes

This frugal face wipe recipe will save you money and provide amazing cleansing action for just pennies!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beauty
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Storing: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 7 Face Wipes
Author: Ginny
Cost: $0.71 per jar

Equipment

  • Seven Washcloths
  • Large Jar with Lid

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash
  • 3 cups Distilled Water warmed

Instructions

  • Pour the distilled water into a microwave safe container. Microwave until the water is warm to the touch
  • Pour half of the warmed water into a large mixing bowl. Add the foaming face wash. Whisk until bubbly.
    whisk the water and soap to create a foamy mix
  • Add the washcloths to the bowl of soapy want and massage them until they are saturated.
    submerge the white washcloths in the the soapy mixture
  • Squeeze the washcloths to remove excess water.
  • Fold the washcloths into quarters and place them in a jar and secure the lid.
    Adding the last DIY Face Wipe to the jar

Notes

Keep the lid of your jar cracked slightly to minimize and chance of molding.  To be safe, I usually only make one week’s worth at a time.
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Ginny
Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

savorandsavvy.com/about-me/
Homemade Reusable Face Wipes - Easy DIY Project for Pennies a Week!
« DIY Dove Body Wash from Bar Soap
50+ Grocery Items to DIY Instead of Buy »

About Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. chessa says

    August 17, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    Hi I am not familiar with the cleanser you are using…are you making these to replace make up remover wipes, or like acne (stridex type) wipes?

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      August 18, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      We are! That is exactly what we are doing! So you can use any pump style cleanser you are using for the same idea. Then you aren’t spending so much money re-buying the make up remover wipes! Let me know if that helps! Ginny

      Reply
  2. Bonis says

    May 04, 2020 at 1:08 am

    I use baby washcloths since they are very soft and gentle on my face. They’re sold in packs of five and were really inexpensive. I like the simplicity of using a facial wash diluted with water. Many of the makeup remover “recipes” have coconut oil, which hazel and other ingredients that I had to keep replenishing. I am using the Dr. Bonner’s baby soap for my wipes.

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      May 06, 2020 at 7:45 am

      So awesome! Love that! I like the mild baby washcloth idea.

      Reply
  3. Jamie says

    January 16, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    I am going to try this using homemade face cloths that I crochet with cotton yarn! Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  4. Pammie says

    December 07, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Well have just made up my second batch of face wipes.
    They are a huge success that even when my girlfriends come to visit they head to the bathroom to grab a face wipe especially with out heat at present.
    Once again thank you for this great DIY project.

    Reply
  5. Pammie says

    November 18, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    Am wondering if anyone has tried cleansers other than foaming face wash.?
    Am looking for a cheaper product to use

    Reply
  6. Rachel Smith says

    November 16, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    I’ve been looking for a recipe that uses my preferred cleanser, to make sure it actually works before I tried it, and I finally found it! Going to try these out with the dollar store baby washcloths. When I have wipes I actually remember to wash my face more and I’m tired of throwing money away.

    Reply
  7. Pammie says

    November 10, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    What a great idea, thank you.
    A perfect solution to our Australian summer heat.

    Reply
  8. LaDonna says

    August 29, 2014 at 12:00 am

    This I a great Idea!!! Thanks for shareing!!!! As to the question of saving the liquid has anyone tried to add vinegar to act as a bacterialcide???

    Reply
  9. Carrie says

    August 12, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    I have seen a ton of these ideas around as I am recently trying to make most of my stuff on my own rather than use a ton of harsh chemicals that are in most of the name brands. I have to say yours is my favorite idea so far I plan on trying this as soon as I get to the store to get some face cloths for it! Love your ideas thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  10. shara B says

    July 26, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    I’m attempting to keep the liquid. It seems a waste to loose the liquid. Has anyone else attempted? I also used the leftover soap on the measuring spoon for a quick face and neck wash.

    Reply
  11. Riana says

    July 12, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    Love this idea. But I am thinking of buying the dollar tree baby wash clothes to use. You get the perfect size for your face and small enough to put a bunch in the jar and NO fraying and easy on the wallet.

    Reply
  12. kyokie says

    June 23, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    Also the cute ribbon that comes with the wash cloths (mine had polka dots) I tied around the container. Gave it a fun finished look. Thanks again!!

    Reply
  13. kyokie says

    June 23, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    Awesome idea! LOVE IT. I used wash cloths and reusable nursing pads. I made one for my 13 yr old son’s bathroom (& ours)… Anything to get him to wash his face and make the task at hand simple, count us in. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  14. Mara says

    June 14, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Several years ago I bought reusable cotton rounds/pads online. 30 to a pack. They are wonderful. I use them for eye makeup remover and astringent. They came with a cotton drawstring bag for storing the used ones. Such a lifesaver. I was tired of literally throwing my money in the trash three or more times a day. They are still going strong. They could definitely be used for this as well. They sell nursing pads which are larger than what I bought but that would be another option if someone didnt want the fraying and didnt want to sew.

    Reply
  15. Teri Haberek says

    June 12, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    Sounds like a great plan. I’m going to try this very soon!

    Reply
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Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

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