Top 10 Eco-Friendly And Compostable Wet Wipes
Wet wipes seemed to be taking over the world around a decade ago. It was a whole new experience for a lot of people. We were big fans of them when they first gained mainstream acceptance. We remember thinking that going back after this experience would be virtually impossible. We soon found out that these were not the eco-friendly and compostable wet wipes that we have available to us now. The bad news had started to roll in.
If you have been following news about the state of the environment for a few years now, you may have heard about the dangers of wet wipes. They are notorious for causing damage to sewage systems all around the world. They don’t break apart in the water. They tend to stick together in the water forming giant masses of obstructions that wreak havoc on plumbing systems. They named these fatty blockages as “fatbergs” – an apt name for such an off-putting phenomenon.
There are many reasons for this problem. The biggest one is that over ninety percent of wipes are made from nonwoven fabrics made of polyester or polypropylene. These materials are great for cleaning but they are horrible after their use is over. They don’t disintegrate in water like regular toilet paper and paper towels. The chemicals bind with the usual fat from home waste in sewage water to form the aforementioned sticky blobs. They will persist in the environment long after regular paper products have completely biodegraded.
This weaned us off wet wipes for a few years. That was until we found out about the newer eco-friendly compostable wet wipes that are available to us today. Let us start with some pro tips about features to look for.
- We make it a point to always look for “Flushable” wipes. After the entire controversy around wet wipes clogging up sanitary systems, there were standards put in place to make sure that the wipes won’t clog pipes and septic tanks. Hence it is important to find products that make the “flushable” claim. All the wipes that we have chosen below are both flushable and biodegradable.
- Almost all the wipes are made from 100% viscose-rayon fibers. Look for wipes that have a nice texture. It adds some needed coarseness to the wipes.
- The wipes need to be thick enough to be hygienic and comfortable. If they are large, you can use them as body wipes.
- The packaging is also very important. Ideally, you should only need one tug to pull out a single wipe. It shouldn’t pull out multiple wipes and make a mess.
- If you are taking them camping and other outdoor activities, all you need to do to dispose of them is to just bury them in the ground. It is an excellent way to have a guilt-free conscience when spending time in nature.
Combat Wipes Active Outdoor Wet Wipes: The Combat Wipes brand is pretty well known for their quality and environmentally conscious manufacturing decisions. The company is founded by ex-military soldiers who have first hand experience with these problems. The wipes are alcohol free and infused with vitamin E and aloe vera. They come in varieties for both men and women. The variants for women are infused with cranberry and calendula.
Trailblazer Biodegradable No Rinse Bamboo XL Wipes: These are made from bamboo which has natural hypoallergenic properties. The company claims they start to biodegrade in a month. They are infused with tea tree oil and aloe vera extracts.
Encore, LLC Epic Wipes: These are extra-large wipes that are good enough when you don’t have access to a shower. They are made from bamboo too. Just keep in mind we don’t recommend using these as your primary mode of cleaning yourself.
DUDE Wipes Flushable Wipes Dispenser: The company behind this line is a fun tongue-in-cheek brand with a sense of humor. They have most of the expected features and conveniences. They are unscented though but it goes along with the theme of being exclusively “for men”. From personal experience, they make great funny gifts for your guy friends.
Simpleaf Flushable Wet Wipes: We really like the company behind these. They donate 1% of their income to charities that help families and children. The product itself is straightforward and high quality. We really love the choice of the lavender scent.
Flushable Wet Wipes for Travel by Go on The Go: We like this one for its claimed ability to soothe dry and irritated skin. If you are outside most of the day, the aloe and calendula mixture will help keep your skin rejuvenated for longer.
allez outdoor | Biodegradable Cleansing Cloths: This company donates its proceedings to charities to keep public lands out of private corporations’ hands for future generations. They are designed and manufactured in the USA. They are infused with a mixture of Aloe Vera and Vitamin C. The smell is an all-natural scent of cactus bloom & chaparral. They are clean and simple to use.
Venture Wipes: These ones are large enough to be used as body wipes. They even claim to be a “Shower in a Pouch”. The cleaning solution has ingredients like tea tree oil and aloe vera for the freshness.
Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes 4-Pack: These are unscented wipes that come in a comfortable size. They were selected by Buzzfeed for a list of products for people who like instant gratification. They come in convenient packs of 15 pieces.
Earth Rated Dog Wipes: Finally, this one is for animal lovers who have pets. They can be used all over your pet’s body. It has a special formula made from Shea butter, aloe, and chamomile that protects their fur. These eco-friendly and compostable wet wipes are free of parabens and sulfates which keeps your pet’s sensitive skin safe.
Remember to be responsible for your purchases with new and exciting products. Often their effect on the environment is not immediately evident. It happened with wet wipes. It will happen again. We can just hope to follow the science and make the right decisions as new information is revealed. It is necessary to remain informed. Stay vigilant. More importantly be proud of the choices you make because just being here and being informed, you are doing your part for this world.
Love,
Scooch and Steve
