These homemade moist towelettes are a simple, inexpensive way to keep a few refreshing wipes on hand without paying travel-pack prices. You only need paper towels, witch hazel, and a little glycerine to make a soft, lightly moistened wipe for your purse, glove box, or bathroom.
If you already keep witch hazel around the house, this is one of those practical little projects that takes just a few minutes and actually gets used. The glycerine helps add a bit of moisture, while witch hazel is commonly used in over-the-counter skin protectant products, according to the FDA’s OTC monograph listing.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools & Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Moist Towelettes
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛠️ How to Use Moist Towelettes
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Estimated Cost
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Moist Towelettes
- 📌 Love this Homemade Moist Towelettes? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Homemade Moist Towelettes
Materials You’ll Need
- 24 squares white paper towels, separated, cut in half and folded into thirds
- 1 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 2 teaspoons glycerine
Tools & Equipment
- Small container or plastic ziploc bag
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Scissors, if needed for cutting the paper towels
- Small bowl or measuring cup for mixing
How to Make Moist Towelettes
- Separate 24 squares of white paper towels, cut them in half, and fold each piece into thirds. Hint, fold your towels like letters.
- Place the folded towel pieces in a small container or plastic ziploc bag.
- Combine the witch hazel and glycerine, blending well.
- Pour the liquid mixture evenly over the towelettes.
- Close the container or bag and let the towels absorb the mixture before using.
Customization Ideas
- For the car: Keep a batch in the glove box for quick cleanup on the go.
- For your purse: Pack a smaller amount in a zip-top bag so you do not have to carry the whole batch.
- For guest bathrooms: Stack them neatly in a small covered container for easy access.
- For a frugal care kit: Pair them with a small mirror, lip balm, and other simple personal-care basics.
How to Use Moist Towelettes
Use these when you need a quick freshen-up away from the sink. They are handy in the car, in your purse, or tucked into a desk drawer.
Great as a windshield wipe too! If you like practical homemade fixes, you might also like Winter Windshield Wipes and the broader collection of Tips ~n~ Tricks for the Ladies.
Safety Information
- For external use only.
- Avoid contact with eyes.
- If your skin is very sensitive, test one towelette on a small area first.
- Do not use on broken or badly irritated skin.
- Because these are made with paper towels, do not flush them.
- If you use them as a windshield wipe, keep a separate batch for that purpose rather than using the same wipes for skin.
Storage
Store the towelettes in a tightly closed container or sealed plastic bag so they stay moist. Keep them at room temperature and out of direct heat. If they begin to dry out, you can add a small splash of witch hazel to remoisten them.
Estimated Cost
Estimated cost: $1.05 per batch, depending on the brands you use and what you already have on hand. This estimate covers consumable materials only, not reusable tools or the storage container.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Witch hazel at Walmart
- Glycerin at Walmart
- White paper towels at Walmart
- Witch hazel on Amazon
- Glycerin on Amazon
- Travel wipe containers on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Moist Towelettes
You can, but plain white paper towels are the best fit for this project because that is what the method uses. If the towel is heavily textured or extra flimsy, it may fall apart faster once moistened.
Folding the towels into thirds keeps them neat, compact, and easy to stack in a small container or bag. It also helps them dispense more cleanly instead of turning into one soggy wad, which nobody needs.
The glycerine adds a little moisture so the wipes feel less drying on the skin. Since the amount is small, it helps without making the towels overly slippery or messy.
Yes. A plastic ziploc bag is part of the original method, and it works well for travel or tucking a few wipes into a purse. Just press out excess air and seal it well so the towels stay moist.
Keep them in a tightly closed container or sealed bag. If they start to lose moisture, add a small splash of witch hazel and close the container again so the towels can absorb it evenly.
No. These are made from paper towels, not toilet tissue, so they should go in the trash. Flushing them is a good way to create a plumbing bill, which rather defeats the whole frugal idea.
Yes, that is one of the suggested uses in the original directions. If you plan to use them on glass, keep a separate batch for that job so you are not mixing personal-care wipes with car wipes.
No special container is required. Any small container with a close-fitting lid works, and a plastic zip-top bag works too if you want the lowest-cost option.
Yes, especially if you only need a simple batch for occasional use. They are quick to make, easy to pack, and cost far less than buying multiple small travel packs.
📌 Love this Homemade Moist Towelettes? Pin it!
Keep this quick little project handy for the next time you want an easy travel wipe without paying for a specialty pack.
Did you try this project? Tell us how you stored your towelettes or where you found them most useful.
