So, you’re standing in the baby aisle holding a bottle of popular baby powder, and then you remember that the brand recently paid to $72 million to women who say the powder caused ovarian cancer. You pick up the next bottle, see “parfum,” and wrinkle your nose because according to the Environmental Working group, fragrances often contain “chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.” (source)
Although there are safe options out there – this baby powder for example – you can save quite a bit by making your own, and it only takes a minute or so to make.
This clay-based baby powder worked wonders as a diaper-rash remedy, especially when combined with my clay-infused diaper cream, zinc-oxide infused diaper cream, tallow balm or calendula salve. In case you’re wondering, I didn’t use all of these at once – I just made up a batch when needed with whatever I happened to have on hand. 🙂
DIY Natural Baby Powder Recipe
Note for cloth diapering mamas: This powder is compatible with cloth diapers.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup bentonite clay powder (where to buy bentonite clay)
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, optional. Makes the texture more fine.* (where to buy arrowroot powder)
* Like cornstarch, arrowroot powder is a starch and can help feed yeast. Since it’s not the primary ingredient in this recipe I don’t know that it would cause a problem for yeast-based rashes, but if you suspect yeast you may want to omit it.
To Make
Combine clay and arrowroot and pour into a clean glass jar with holes in the top for sprinkling – I use an old spice jar.
How To Use
Powder lightly after a diaper change as needed.
*Special Notes
Powders of any kind are not recommended for children under three months because they can inhale particles into their very sensitive lungs. Use only with older babies.
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Jen
Great idea, thanks! I’ve always avoided the typical baby powder and air/cloth dried, but this seems like a safe alternative.
Eline
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gale
use pure corn starch, works great no problems
jerry
Totally agree. A few drops of lavender also helps.
Rebecca
Is this safe to use with cloth diapers?
Heather
Yes 🙂
Angela
Thank you so much for all Informacion the you get me.
I’m appreciating. God bless you
Mary
It is so nice how you share what you have learned…wish you had been around in the 1970’s-80’s when I had little ones! But I still enjoy reading and am learning about making soap, etc. Thank you!
Sam
Hi Heather, thank you for all that you do! Can you please tell me the benefit of using a powder in addition to a cream? Also, do you apply the powder or cream first?
January
Hi Heather! Do you think this would work to remove sand from your body at the beach? I hear baby powder works but looking to make a talc free version. Just wondering if you’ve ever tried it for that?
Brandie
Could I use French green clay instead? I have that on hand. Thanks!
Aubrey
Did you try the French green clay? That is also all I have on hand and would like to know how it worked out. Thanks!
Karen
Sounds great, but I’m concerned about the lead levels in bentonite clay!