Baby wipes: how do they compare?

The average baby gets through 4,000 to 6,000 disposable nappies by the time they're potty trained. That means using a hefty load of baby wipes, too - especially as they're also an an easy-to-grab solution for grubby faces and sticky hands.

With baby wipes being used on the most delicate of skin types, it's important that you know what's in them and what each chemical is responsible for. 

We look at the most popular wipe brands and their ingredients. We also answer common questions about using baby wipes, including making more environmentally friendly choices, such as wipes made from plant-based materials rather than plastic so they break down more easily.

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What are the typical ingredients in baby wipes?

• Aloe barbadensis leaf juice Aloe vera juice, which is a natural skin moisturiser.
• Aqua Purified water that dilutes the other ingredients and keeps wipes moist.
• Chamomilla Recutita Chamomile flower, which is a natural skin conditioner.
• Citric acid Balances the pH to ensure wipes don't cause a reaction on your baby's skin.
• Glycerin An emollient that helps soften and lubricate the skin.
• Malic acid Found in many fruits, such as apricots, blackberries, grapes, pears and plums. It also helps to control the pH level of the wipe.
• Sodium benzoate Preservative for other ingredients in the wipe.
• Sodium citrate Acts as a buffering agent to control pH level and and as a preservative.
• Sodium gluconate Stabiliser for other ingredients as well as a humectant, which helps skin to retain water.

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Which baby-wipe ingredients irritate sensitive skin?

Babies' skin is delicate, and the nappy area is particularly vulnerable to irritation from exposure to moisture, urine and faeces.

Research has shown that alcohol, perfumes and preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone (MI) in wipes can cause significant sensitivity. There are now clear guidelines around these potential sensitisers.

Because babies are still developing their immune systems, we'd suggest staying away from fragranced wipes to avoid any potential to develop sensitisation later in life. Or choose those with fragrances that contain low or no allergens and are specifically designed for babies.

The NHS recommends choosing fragrance-free and alcohol-free wipes for babies and young children.

Can you use baby wipes instead of washing your hands?

Ideally, no. Wipes are handy when you're on the go and need to clean up. But baby wipes are designed for gentle cleaning and are unlikely to have the same cleaning performance or effect on germs as a hand wash or an antibacterial hand gel.

We recommend washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and if you're travelling and don't have access to washing facilities, use baby wipes and then apply hand sanitiser (with a minimum 60% alcohol content).

Make sure your home is safe for babies and toddlers with the only guide you'll ever need to babyproof your home.

Can you clean toys or baby equipment with baby wipes?

Again, it's not ideal. It may be easy to reach for the wipes if you're mopping up spills on highchairs, pushchairs or mucky toys, but baby wipes may not give them the most effective clean.

They're designed to gently clean baby's bottoms, not surfaces where all sorts of microbes reside. So from a hygiene point of view, the best way would be to clean the toys with soap and water.

Can you revive dried-out baby wipes?

It's possible, but try to keep them most for as long as you can.

That said, opening a packet to get a baby wipe out then closing it securely may keep them moist, but eventually they may begin to dry out slightly – or even completely. 

You can you rehydrate them yourself by adding water to the individual sheet. If water is added to the whole packet without the requisite preservatives, this could increase the risk of colonisation with bacteria and yeast.

To stop wipes drying out, make sure you close the lid after use and store them away from heat sources, such as radiators or direct sunlight.

Can you use baby wipes instead of toilet paper?

Technically, yes - but avoid flushing them down the toilet (more on that below).

Some people don't feel clean unless they have used a moist paper tissue, rather than toilet paper. But once a child is potty trained, it's best to use toilet paper alone because dry paper is much less likely to sensitise skin than wet wipes. The extended use of wet wipes can lead to significant skin irritation in adults.

What's more, wet wipes can be a major cause of sewer blockages if flushed down the toilet. A 2017 study by Water UK, which represents the main water and sewage companies, found that wipes make up around 93% of the material causing 'fat-bergs' and sewer blockages – and this includes a high proportion of baby wipes.

Fine to flush? We're not so sure

Some wipe companies have started using the 'Fine to Flush' certification on their packaging. This is a a technical standard that manufacturers can claim to meet, which supposedly means the wipe breaks down in the same way as toilet paper when flushed down the toilet.

However, it's voluntary and manufacturers are under no obligation to actually meet these standards, even if they use the term 'flushable' on their packaging.

There's evidence to suggest that 'flushable' claims should be met with scepticism. In 2019, researchers at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, tested 101 different wipes, including 23 that were claimed to be 'flushable'. Not one passed the tests to see if it would break down enough to disperse safely through a sewer system.

So it's probably safer to dispose of wipes, even those claimed to be 'flushable', along with your nappy waste.

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Are baby wipes bad for the environment?

Some are, yes. Although they may look and feel like cotton, many are made from synthetic materials that don't biodegrade - not to mention the plastic packaging, which tends to be non-recyclable.

If they end up in the ocean they also affect sea life. So wiping a baby's bottom can have serious consequences if you flush the wipes down the toilet instead of throwing them in the bin.

The good news is that more and more brands are making an effort to offer biodegradable baby wipes. These are usually made from plant-based fibres such as viscose or bamboo. 

This doesn't always mean they're flushable or compostable though, so you should continue to throw them in your normal household waste.

Can you buy reusable baby wipes?

Much like the growth in reusable nappies, there's also been increasing interest in reusable baby wipes.

These are small squares of soft material that you can soak in a pre-mixed solution in a sealable plastic container, or simply dampen with water and then use to wipe away baby messes.

Used wipes are stored in their own container (or stashed with reusable nappies if you have them too) and washed in the washing machine.

Typical brands include Cheeky Wipes and Kit & Kin.

Interested in reusable nappies? Find out the best reusable nappy brands as rated by parents, plus your options in terms of types and price and how to wash them.