would you use a surface wipe on a baby's/toddler skin

[GrassWasGreener]

trying to decide if i am being dramatic. I would not use a surface wipe, say for example a detol surface cleaner wipe to clean my child (18 months) hands, face etc. Totally fine to use it for its purpose of cleaning where food has been or a high chair after meal or whatever. I would use a baby wipe to quickly wipe a surface down if they had left sticky fingers somewhere but never the other way around.
my MIL tried to offer and then when declined, use herself a surface wipe to clean toddlers hands and face. As in i had to remove the wipe from the childs hands and forcefully say no to MIL because it was being done anyway after i had declined and said i wouldn't use said wipe for child skin. Its really annoyed me. MIL is very anti chemicals. Telling us how bad soap is for you and you should only buy a certain type, how you shouldn't use cleaning products to clean your house etc. So I was even more surprised to have this situation happen. MIL can be difficult and challenging, contradicting etc. But regardless of that, AIBU just because I find her difficult and we clash a bit? Maybe its fine to use a surface wipe on a childs skin? It wasn't a branded wipe, it was some cheap wipe that just said food surface cleaner

Erm... No.... I really wouldn't... Really not made for that.. Manufacturer would likely be horrified

No way!

I wouldn't do it no. It's not suitable to clean skin. Probably won't do long lasting harm unless your child has sensitive skin but I wouldn't want it going in their mouths do would wash hands.

Ask her to wipe her own face with it.

Oh God no!!!

No

No way

No YANBU and someone who thinks soap is bad should know better - do you think it was some misguided covid prevention thing? Using antibac surface cleaner type wipes to kill any covid virus on your lo?

Absolutely not!

What a numpty. What’s wrong with water and a towel to dry?? Honestly some people are just odd.

No, too chemically for skin. She can't tolerate soap but reaches for the Dettol surface wipes?!......silly woman

No way. I have used them on my own skin before but that was to remove paint, which I guess gives an idea of how abrasive they might be!! It does work really well on paint though I definitely wouldn’t use one on my two year old!!

It depends what was on the wipe - if it had bleach in it then definitely not but I think some of them are glorified baby wipes anyway

I'd clean my own hands with something like this when say wiping down my phone or something. Not my face.

I wouldn't do it to a baby or toddler on either. As they have more sensitive skin and put their hand in their mouth more. Unless it was a tiny baby I wouldn't stress loads about it having happened though. But would wnat to make clear it's a no go.

I’d guess the packet says “keep out of the reach of children” on the majority of them though so on that basis, I’d say not to use them

What? No! They contain harsh cleaning fluids! Not at all suitable for human skin. Just use water and kitchen towel if needs be!

No, absolutely not. However, I have mistakenly done that to my own hands (with antibac wipes; packet colours were too similar) and can assure I don't seem to have any lasting damage! If you cleaned their hands again after it happened, they're fine.

I've done it accidentally! Luckily dd was fine but i did worry.

Definitely not! She sounds like she’s lost the plot! If you don’t have any wipes surely a wash at the sink is a better option than putting cleaning product on a child’s (or anyone’s!) skin?!

I think it's a bad sign that she ignored your wishes so blatantly.
I also think it's wrong to use that kind of wipe on skin, especially children's.
Awful behaviour from your MIL.

Your mil is anti chemicals but uses a cleaning wipe on your child? She sounds crazy. It reminds me of something though. When I’ve visited my in laws and the kids have got grubby faves mil has attempted to sue a dish cloth to clean them!! If it was clean out the cupboard then fine but this came from her sink so had been used. I had to tell her no I’ll use a wipe! I’m sure my own mother used to get dishcloths out the sink to clean out faces too 🤣 i turned out find but not something I would do. I’m sure using a cleaning wipe one time wouldn’t hurt your child but I wouldn’t do it. Dd was allergic to most baby wipes and gave her a rush so imagine what a cleaning wipe would do!!

No. I would be most annoyed though at her disregarding my feelings as the child's mum.

My ds used a toilet wipe to wipe his bum.
He agreed it wasn't a great idea!!
I have used a dish cloth on sticky hands many times but not a wipe as you describe op..

A friends child had an accident once at my house. I handed her kitchen wipes for her to wipe the floor (she asked and was already on her hands and knees - tiled floor, no bother, it happens). I’m glad I was watching she went to clean the poor mite up with them. I screeched something intelligible which made her jump, but at least she stopped.

It was 3 years ago and still makes me cringe at what could have happened. Sleep deprivation is awful.

@Harrykanesrightsock lol
@MustStopSnacking28 will remember that for paint
@Dillybear you have no idea! i didn't bring any wipes in but toddler loves washing her hands with a bit of water at the sink and this is what i normally do in her house. TBH she wasn't even that dirty, just a bit of butter from toast
@MagnoliaBeige i should of pointed that out. Will remember that if there is a next time

thanks all, at least i don't feel i am over reacting so much now. Good to get others perspective

As a one-off, for a properly filthy child, if there was nothing else available and assuming they didn't have sensitive skin - yes.

As a lazy alternative to washing with soap at the sink or using a more suitable wipe - no.