Have you ever taken a minute to think about the environmental impact of the wipes you use? Probably not. But we’re here to tell you that you should! The good news is that there are natural, eco-friendly alternatives available. And they’re better than regular wipes because they won’t clog up landfills or pollute oceans (plus, they smell good). Here are five reasons why switching over to eco-friendly wipes will benefit both your body and the planet:
Eco-Friendly Wipes vs. Regular Wipes
The first thing to consider when deciding between Eco-Friendly Wipes and Regular Wipes is what each kind of wipe consists of.
Eco-Friendly Wipes are biodegradable, which means they break down into natural components within a relatively short period (no more than 30 days). Biodegradability is an important factor in eliminating waste because it prevents plastic from being thrown away when you’re done using them, instead allowing them to break down into carbon dioxide and water.
Regular wipes contain chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the skin and even cause allergic reactions in some people. Because we all have different allergies, it’s best not to take chances with products like these!
The second thing you should consider when deciding between Eco-Friendly Wipes or Regular Wipes is how often you have the opportunity or need for disposable wipes: What activities do you participate in? Do you spend time outside? Are there children living inside your home? These questions will help determine which kind of disposable wipes would work best for your lifestyle needs at any given moment!
How are Eco-Friendly Wipes made?
Eco-Friendly Wipes come with high-quality materials, so you can feel good about using them.
Eco-Friendly Wipes uses 100% renewable resources, including wood and paper. All of the chemicals in our wipes are biodegradable and non-toxic. They also use no BPA plastics in our manufacturing process or packaging, which helps reduce pollution and protect our environment for future generations to enjoy.
5 Reasons You Should Switch To Eco-Friendly Wipes
They’re biodegradable
To be clear, when we say “biodegradable” here, we’re talking about a specific type of biodegradation. Biodegradable wipes come from cellulose – the stuff that makes up plants and trees. It breaks down into water and carbon dioxide over time. This environmental benefit is especially important if you’re using cloth wipes!
In other words: they won’t pollute our air or poison our waterways as they break down, unlike disposable wipes that contain plastic polymers (like polypropylene). These polymers are dangerous for both landfill workers who might accidentally breathe in airborne fibres and wildlife who eat them by mistake (think fish with polyester guts).
They’re compostable
Your disposable wipes may be biodegradable. They may even come from a renewable resource such as cotton or cellulose (a type of plant fibre). But that doesn’t mean they’re compostable.
Compostable wipes consist of corn, wheat, and soy—all ingredients that can break down in a compost pile. However, they won’t decompose in a landfill where plastic items often end up after use. The main difference between biodegradable and compostable is the absence of synthetic materials like polyethene and polypropylene that make up most disposable products on store shelves today. Because removing these plastics from your life is one way to reduce your environmental footprint, switching to eco-friendly products will help you achieve this goal in many ways!
The packaging is recyclable
The packaging of these wipes comes from recycled materials. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also means that you can recycle or compost your used packages in most cities and towns across the country.
They don’t contain any fragrance
The fragrance is a common allergen and can irritate the skin. It’s not required to make wipes effective, so why should you expose yourself to them? Many types of fragrance chemicals are known irritants and some have been linked to asthma, allergies, or other health issues.
They are hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested
One of the best things about these wipes is that they are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. This makes them perfect for anyone with sensitive skin, including babies. The clothes are also using natural ingredients and contain no dyes or fragrances, which means there are no harsh chemicals on your baby’s skin when you clean them off after a messy meal or diaper change.
10 Eco-Friendly Wipes To Switch On
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation Baby Wipes are 100% biodegradable and made from renewable resources. They’re hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free; they also don’t contain chlorine, parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol — all chemicals that can be harmful to your baby’s skin. Plus they contain no triclosan (which is an antimicrobial agent linked to endocrine disruption).
Simpleaf
Simpleaf Flushable Wet Wipes come from 100% biodegradable materials and have a natural, plant-derived cleanser that’s gentle on your skin. They’re also free of alcohol, parabens, and dyes. The wipes are thick enough to clean up messes without tearing or breaking apart easily in the toilet bowl.
Simpleaf says it uses “the highest quality materials available on the market today to ensure that our customers receive only the best products.” Its wet wipes come in packs of 50 (twice as many as other brands), which means you can use fewer wipes per flush than with other brands. Each Simpleaf Flushable Wet Wipe is individually wrapped for hygiene purposes. However, if you don’t use them all at once, they’ll last longer than if they were just packed into a single container together with no wrapping at all.
Aleva Naturals
Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Wipes come from bamboo and other natural ingredients, including aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin E, and chamomile extract. These wipes are hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, dye-free, and paraben-free. They’re also plant-based, biodegradable, and compostable—making them an eco-friendly choice for your baby’s skin.
The Honest Company
The Honest Company Wipes are a great option for those looking for an unscented, hypoallergenic, and free of alcohol, parabens, phthalates, and chlorine wipe. They are using plant-based materials and are biodegradable. Plus they’re made in the USA!
The Honest Company Wipes have a soft fabric that’s gentle on baby’s sensitive skin while still getting the job done. Unlike other brands, these clothes don’t irritate your child’s eyes when wiping away tears or mucus. You can also reuse these wipes to clean up surfaces around your home without worrying about harsh chemicals harming anyone or anything else in your household.
Bum Boosa
Bum Boosa Bamboo Baby Wipes use plant-based materials, are hypoallergenic, and are free of alcohol and parabens. They’re also free of artificial fragrances or dyes, chlorine bleaching, and synthetic materials like chlorine or phthalates. The wipes come from renewable bamboo fibre which is renewable every 3 years.
Venture Wipes
Venture Wipes Large Body Wipes are safe for your face, hands, and body. They come from 100% biodegradable material and contain no chlorine or dyes. The cleaning agent is plant-based, making these wipes safer than many other brands of paper towels.
Venture Wipes Large Body Wipes also contain no alcohol or fragrance so you don’t have to worry about skin irritation if you have sensitive skin or allergies like eczema or dandruff (or if you are a baby).
Goodwipes
Goodwipes are flushable and plant-based, so you can use them with confidence knowing that they’ll break down in the environment. The wipes are also biodegradable. They’re free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, dyes, and alcohol—a boon for sensitive skin!
Another benefit: Goodwipes are free of petroleum distillates (AKA petroleum jelly), which are commonly used to make wipes more absorbent. This stuff often comes from crude oil; not exactly eco-friendly.
Eco by Naty
Eco by Naty Aloe Vera Baby Wipes is a great choice for parents who want to make a switch. These wipes uses 100% pure aloe vera, making them not only safe and effective but also an eco-friendly alternative to other baby wipe brands.
Eco by Naty offers a variety of eco-friendly products—including natural baby wipes, organic cotton diapers, and menstrual cups—that uses high-quality ingredients free from harmful chemicals or toxins. The company is family-owned, so you can feel good knowing that your purchase will support people just like you!
Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees Baby Wipes come from 100% recycled paper, which is biodegradable and compostable. They also contain no alcohol, parabens, or phthalates; instead, they have a hypoallergenic formula that contains aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E to calm sensitive skin. These wipes are great for babies since they’re gentle enough to meet their needs without irritating them. However, even if you’re not using these with a baby in mind (because you’re an adult who just wants a product that doesn’t hurt your hands), Burt’s Bees Baby Wipes will still be a good choice for you!
Kinder by Nature
When you’re ready to make the switch, we recommend trying out Kinder by Nature Compostable Baby Wipes. These eco-friendly wipes use renewable resources and are safe for sewer and septic systems, so you can feel good about using them after your little one’s diaper change. They also contain no chlorine, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances—so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals getting anywhere near your baby’s sensitive skin! Plus they come in an adorable reusable container!
The top-rated product on Amazon contains vitamin E and aloe vera to keep the baby’s bum soft and smooth all day long. The company has gone above and beyond with its packaging—the wipes come in a cardboard box that can be recycled along with your other cardboard products.
Conclusion
With so many options to choose from, finding the right eco-friendly wipes to switch on may seem overwhelming. And while we can’t make your decision for you, we can help you make it easier by highlighting some of the best options out there.
Looking for wipes for your baby’s bum? Check out more eco-friendly baby wipes here.