Alternatives to Wet Wipes That Are More Eco-Friendly

Wet wipes for babies are just one of the many things you'll need as a new parent. These handy baby wipes are great for cleaning up messes like nappy changes, wiping icky fingers, and removing food stains from your baby's clothes. Because, let's face it, while children are adorable, they also make a lot of messes. While disposal wet wipes are extremely convenient, they can also be a major environmental issue. In this blog post, we'll talk about traditional baby wipes, why they might not be a sustainable option, and eco-friendly alternatives to baby wipes.

Why are wet wipes not environmentally friendly?

Did you know that a baby uses between 2,000 and 2,200 diapers in his or her first year of life? That's a lot of diaper changes, not to mention the amount of baby wipes used! However, because they contain plastic fibers, baby wipes can be harmful to the environment. Unfortunately, once we throw it away, plastic never truly disappears. When we throw away a conventional baby wipe, it degrades into microplastic, which enters our environment and waters and harms marine life, wildlife, and humans.

Some baby wipes are labeled as flushable. However, flushable wet wipes do not degrade in the same way that toilet paper does. Wet wipes cling to pipes, catching debris and grease, and forming "balls" of waste that end up plugging our sewers. In the United Kingdom, they discovered that wet wipes account for 90% of the material clogging the sewage system. Wet wipes cost Canadian taxpayers at least $250 million per year because they cause sewer plugs.

Why should you use dry baby wipes instead?

Parenting is a demanding occupation! We understand that disposable baby wipes are convenient and simple to use. It's difficult to believe that we're contributing to waste and pollution. Aside from being bad for the environment, many baby wipes contain a toxic cocktail of chemicals and fragrances. This may irritate your baby's skin, especially if they have rashes or eczema.

That is why we developed 100% cotton dry baby wipes. One of our dry baby wipes is made from 100% organic cotton that has been GOTS certified. You can see exactly what is on your baby's skin when you use dry baby wipes. Our baby wipes contain no unknown, toxic chemicals, dyes, or fragrances, making them ideal for babies with sensitive skin. You can make your own DIY baby wipes solution or simply use water to use them. One of our Nest Designs employees tried them and discovered that she needed fewer wipes per diaper change! That is, rather than using five or more wipes to clean a blowout, you could use one or two. This not only saves you money, but it is also better for the environment because you are throwing away fewer wet wipes. Furthermore, they are small enough to fit in your diaper bag.

Wet wipe alternatives

Our dry baby wipes are one option to traditional baby wipes. Other options for wet wipes include:

#1: Cloth Wipes Reusable

Reusable cloth wipes, like our dry baby wipes, reduce waste and help you avoid harmful chemicals. You can use them by adding water or making your own baby wipes solution. Cloth wipes come in a variety of brands. If you're looking for the softest material to put on your baby's skin, we recommend cotton terry or bamboo. You can store your cloth wipes for diapering at home or on the go in a reusable wipes container filled with your DIY solution.

#2: Make use of baby washcloths

These baby washcloths can also be used as cloth wipes. Baby washcloths, like reusable cloth wipes, are typically made from materials that are gentle on your baby's skin. Bubs Baby Washcloths have four to six layers of buttery soft bamboo blended muslin. They are extremely absorbent, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial by nature.

#3: Wash and Wear

If you prefer the convenience of your own home and want to use fewer wipes in general, wash and go is an option. Simply remove the diaper, take your baby to the bathroom sink, wash them up, pat them dry, and replace them!

Conclusion

While wet wipes are a convenient and easy-to-use solution, they may contain chemicals that irritate your baby's skin and harm the environment. Parenting is a demanding job, and using cloth wipes may not be for everyone. However, there are many other options that would be suitable for your family, such as our dry baby wipes. These alternatives are ideal for baby messes and are gentler on your baby's skin.