Wet wipes ban

[Eire12]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plastic-wet-wipes-ban

I've only heard about this now although it has a date of Dec 25. From May 2027, non- recyclable single-use wipes will be banned. It includes baby wipes & face wipes. It may be difficult for low income families as I'm sure there may be a shortage of recyclable ones which will push prices up. Good for the environment though. Although if people didn't flush them this wouldn't be an issue.

Take it to a baby changing room and ask to exchange for a different one

Decent paper straws that don't just go soggy are freely available, it's just that they cost more than the shit ones and some companies are more focused on profits than the consumer experience. Maybe you should vote with your feet?

Thanks, I didn't realise that they were already available. The suppliers seem to keep quiet about the fact that there is plastic in their wipes so it's hard to know 😊 can the ones without plastic dissolve then? I'm sure the selfish/ignorant people will still flush them.

No one would advertise that there is plastic in their wipes, but lots of brands advertise that they are plastic free and recycleable. Some advertise as being flushable, but I would take that with a pinch of salt and put them in the bin anyway.

Just cut up an old towel. That’s what I did and I am still suing them as hand wipes 8 years later.
I also didn’t bugger about with boxes of water. I had a bottle and a bowl and poured water into the dish as and when I needed it. Wipes then went into a bag and were washed when needed.
out and about i always either had a bottle of water or was in a toilet with a sink.
bit sure how people managed for centuries without disposable land fill.

Jeez. I still remember the smell of the nappy bucket from my childhood....

hopefully the plastic free ones will be OK, because washable wipes might sound good, but much like 'bags for life' which absolutely don't last a lifetime, I wonder about the real comparison between 100 biodegradable (non-plastic) disposable wipes, vs. Bucket, flannels, sanitiser and hot wash for re-usables

Hi @Bigfattwat Thank you for that. I've just done a whizz round on google (more than happy to accept I'm wrong f things have changed since I did my studies) and I found many reputable sites that state that they shouldn't be used on children/babies, and definitely not to use teatree as cited in your link. I'm quite shocked that there's not more guidance in it. Anyway, one said not ot use on children under 12! Healthline say not to use them on babies under 6 months. Apparently it can mess with the endoctrine glands and affect thyroid disorders and diabetes. Obviously it can also irritate the very delicate skin.

I hope that this is useful. Just do a search on google, 'can I use teatrea on babies' or 'essential oils and babies'. You should get some more info. Obviously it's up to you which sites and companies that you trust!

Edit - hit the update by accident!

Are the wipes for cleaning your home plastic free?

It's fine! I haven't used plastic ones for years.

The washable cloth ones are much easier to clean up poo. And the non plastic disposable ones work just as well as the other ones when out and about.

Yes. Like Detol ones

They are already available and they work fine. Have you actually looked on the supermarket shelves because among the 14 different brands of babywipes on offer at least a third of them will be plastic free already eg https://www.huggies.co.uk/wipes/huggies-pure-plastic-free-baby-wipes (not an endorsement of this particular brand)

It’s not just for babies, I have a 7 year old in nappies. I am happy to use plastic free and i don’t flush.

So baby soap with essential oils in a mouldy tub? Do you rinse the baby wash off? No thanks that sounds very foosty

And keep your reciept

I haven't looked as I only realised about the ban etc. My youngest is potty trained now but I still but the odd packet every now & then as they are handy for wiping faces. I will definitely start looking out for them now.

I have aldi and Tesco wipes in the house. Both say they are plastic free on the packaging. They have been available for years and work just fine

It doesn’t go mouldy every other day and yes I cleaned the tub in between times.

do you rinse off the cleaner from the disposable wipes?

Mine are adults now but I’ll google.

I never had any bother and cheeky wipes sell the oil and I’m sure they’re reputable?

I would never leave soap on without rinsing. I wouldn’t want that set up at all, it doesn’t appeal
to me at all. The oils, the soap, the food box with water

I didn’t use any baby wipes with my first 2 , they didn’t exist in any usable form. I used cotton wool or cloths/ flannels and water. DO NOT use essential oils , absolutely no need , they bring nothing to the table . It’s really not as arduous as people are making out . “ how will we change our babies?” Ffs😂
also they're not banned, don’t worry you can still all carry on blocking the drains and adding to landfill.

Why would they dissolve? They will degrade over time, but wont dissolve. Of course they shouldn't be flushed.

*Babies. Using cloth or non plastic ones.

Please don’t put any sort of wipe down the toilet (even if they say they are flushable) they don’t break down properly and get stuck together with the fat people also dispose of to sewer.

no one is making you, it was a suggestion to someone asking what else to use.

I brought reusable wipes with eldest, basically the more expensive set up if what pp said. of course it doesn't go moudly, you're not leaving it in there for weeks. you're allowed to change the water, wash the wipes and clean the tub 🙄

Hi. Just looked at the safety info on Cheeky ...

We don't recommend the MUCKY oil (Tea Tree & Lemon) is used as a fresh wipes soaking solution as it is too harsh for delicate skin.

Also, they state that their products shouldn't be used on babies under 6 weeks. Tbh I wouldn't until considerably older, if at all.

I wonder if people actually read the safety deets before ordering? It would be way better to have the safety precautions on the items.