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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Eco-friendly baby wipes

42 replies

Cocacolathanks · 05/10/2019 08:54

AIBU when buying “eco-friendly” baby wipes that claim to be recyclable, compostable and plastic-free? Is it a gimmick or does it make a difference?

Also if you use them, can you recommend some good ones? I’ve not actually tried them yet but I bought my first pack of Water Wipes and realised there’s a whole market of “eco” baby wipes.

Thanks!

OP posts:
ohmysoul · 05/10/2019 08:56

What about reusable wipes? You don't have to worry about getting rid of them at all then. We have cheeky wipes and I use them for everything, they're brilliant.

horseymum · 05/10/2019 08:57

Just try using flannels and washing them? One step towards reusable nappies!

Trebla · 05/10/2019 09:53

Cheeky wipes

knittedgoldfish · 05/10/2019 09:54

Another vote for cheeky wipes here, so much quicker to use than wet wipes and don't give our ones a rash.

Starlight456 · 05/10/2019 09:55

I am a cminder so get lots of different wipes . I haven’t had an good eco wipes that are disposable but do love cheeky wipes.

Grimbles · 05/10/2019 09:56

I use cheeky wipes and also got a load of handkerchief sized muslins from ikea to use for cleaning mucky hands and faces.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 05/10/2019 09:58

Eco wipes and eco single use nappies are almost total greenwashing. The eco elements come from the method of production, not disposal, but that is rarely made clear in marketing.
Nothing decomposes in landfill. Nor in incineration. These are the only two ways to dispose of single use nappies and wipes generally ( I believe some councils may have a nappy recycling scheme but it certainly isn't standard).

Camomila · 05/10/2019 10:00

At home I only used wipes for poos and flannels with warm water and a tiny bit of soap for wees.

For hands/faces DS has always hated cold wipes so if there's a toilet available I always took him to wash his hands and face instead.

Is cotton wool better than wipes? (I don't know)

BeanBag7 · 05/10/2019 10:01

Compostable/biodegradable - fine if you actually have a compost heap and put them all in it. Pointless if you tie them up in a plastic bag and throw in the bin.
Recyclable - depends on your local collections, although surely if they're dirty that would list contaminate all the recycling in your bin.
Flushable - absolute con and not true.

Cheeky wipes or other washable wipes are definitely the way to go. If you're funny about washing them, maybe just start by using them for wet nappies and continue using disposables for dirtiest until you're used to it. Even that would cut down the number of wipes considerably.

Andysbestadventure · 05/10/2019 10:01

Cheeky wipes. Or buy 10 packs of flannels from Ikea and cut in to four to make your own.

Rather know I was using eco energy than filling landfill.

Celebelly · 05/10/2019 10:02

Reusables for sure. Not only better for the environment but far far more efficient at removing poop than disposables. You can do with one cloth wipe what it takes at least three or four disposable to do.

BeanBag7 · 05/10/2019 10:04

P.s. water wipes are no better than any other wipe, environmentally speaking. Their website says Our wipe material is a blend of 80% polyester and 20% viscose, which makes 20% of our wipe biodegradable.
So they are 80% plastic

KUGA · 05/10/2019 10:18

What`s happened to the good old cotton wool and warm water ?.
Saves the planet and money.

Grimbles · 05/10/2019 10:23

Disposable cotton wool is not saving the planet or money!

Flev · 05/10/2019 10:24

I'd say cheeky wipes here too, they work so much better than throwaway baby wipes.

BelfastSmile · 05/10/2019 10:37

Another vote for Cheeky Wipes, or making your own from a bit of flannel.

Also, you don't need to wipe newborns every time if they're just wet.

Lalapurple · 05/10/2019 10:38

Reusables are also better for wiping.
If you want something you can throw away you can find "recipes" for soaking kitchen roll to make wipes. I found cotton wool good for the newborn stage but not after.

Grimbles · 05/10/2019 10:40

I tried cutting flannels but they started to unravel! It might work if you are handy with a needle and can overlock the edges.

Teachermaths · 05/10/2019 10:41

Cheeky wipes washable ones are the best.

None of the disposables are green.

BelfastSmile · 05/10/2019 12:34

Cheeky Wipes sometimes do an offer where you buy the kit and get an additional set of wipes free (as well as the one with the kit).

You don't really need the full kit (storage bags and boxes etc) as you could use Tupperware or something instead, though.

We use one set of wipes for bums and then one set for everything else - hands, faces, the table, spills.

user1493494961 · 05/10/2019 12:39

I echo buying flannels.

vdbfamily · 05/10/2019 12:47

we have cheeky wipes as toilet paper and DH/myself and DS use them .(the girls think it is a disgusting idea!!)

MmmBlowholes · 05/10/2019 12:50

Eco doesn't always keen environmentally friendly. I once saw a pack of nappy sacks in home bargains which were called ecobag with a picture of leaf, but on the underside the brand was actually called "economy bag" 😡

Grimbles · 05/10/2019 15:45

we have cheeky wipes as toilet paper

That's what I'm planning next.

CameraTime · 05/10/2019 21:38

@vdbfamily what do you do for visitors? Do they use the wipes too, or do you supply loo roll for those who want it?