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Wet wipes frustration

(67 Posts)
hamster58 Thu 25-Apr-24 11:58:18

I should start by saying this is not a discussion about the eco side of wet wipes, so I apologise if their use upsets some people. It’s really to see if I am unique in getting frustrated with the packaging….whether a face bottom or cleaning wipe, the slot to access them is invariably too small. You can rarely find the edge to pull-especially after the first one-and often end up pulling several out thereby needing to struggle to put the extras back neatly and close the tab properly. This is especially the case when on nappy changing duty using one hand!! Am I uniquely incompetent?!!!

MissInterpreted Sat 27-Apr-24 15:45:04

BlueBelle

I m amazed so many people still use wet wipes after all the eco advertising
I don’t know what’s wrong with soap and water

Convenience. Handy for taking out and about with you.

Chestnut Sat 27-Apr-24 15:50:30

MayBee70 sadly everything around us is un-environmentally friendly especially our love of all things plastic. When you watch old movies they were wrapping food in paper bags, parcels and presents in brown paper and string, no plastic bags or sticky tape were involved. You bought your fruit and veg loose and put it in your shopping bag. Drinks were in glass before cans came along. The supermarkets have created such a convenient way of shopping it has changed everything.

Pippa22 Sat 27-Apr-24 16:35:53

I transfer to a solid plastic lidded box too . If they are a little dry as some seem to be a little cooled boiled water from the kettle poured on the top does the trick and restores the moisture throughout the pack before the next use.

grannybuy Sun 28-Apr-24 01:13:39

There were pictures on the news last week of wet wipes clogging the sewage system somewhere, so they are definitely still being flushed.

Granmarderby10 Sun 28-Apr-24 09:25:59

Not by me they ain’t grannybuy Maybe a child might do it accidentally not knowing. I don’t flush cotton buds, or kitchen towel down the loo either.
The original “Wet Ones” came in a sturdy carton with a lid and that and was about 43 years ago because I recall buying them when I had 2 toddlers on hols and days out.
Something tells me that people have become more ignorant or never read the details on packs or are just following what their parent(s) did ….but it seems to have only become a sewage issue, say, in the last 20 years.
So I reckon people are using them more regularly as apposed to occasionally and carelessly at that.

Luckygirl3 Sun 28-Apr-24 09:36:29

I use Wype for wiping my bum rather than wet wipes. You squirt some on the loo paper and it basically turns it into a wet wipe. More eco friendly.

But I do agree about the nuisance of getting wet wipes in and out of their packaging. They do not interleave properly; and the sticky closures do not work if any wet gets on the packet.

RunaroundSue Sun 28-Apr-24 09:43:34

I find that too, flicking up the bottle top instead of unscrewing it means you have to hold the bottle, flip up the cap and then water goes everywhere. Who thinks up these new fangled ideas that are totally rubbish and a waste of time.

Chestnut Sun 28-Apr-24 10:25:22

The problem of wet wipes in the sewage system is caused by ignorant adults, not children. People are now using disposable wipes for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, and the floor. I'll bet many of those go down the loo along with all the baby wipes and bottom wipes. There are 67 million people in the UK and it only takes 1% of them to be doing this to cause serious problems.

Wipes are now being marketed as 'biodegradable' but they are not really. They don't break down into tiny fragments like toilet paper so will still be clogging up the pipes.

I'm afraid that 'single use' things are always wrong whatever they are, wipes, bottles, cotton buds, razors, the list is endless. Society has just become more and more lazy.

NotAGran55 Sun 28-Apr-24 10:45:17

It’s not only the sewage system it is the landfill too with all the pointless wipes.
It takes many decades to biodegrade. Food for thought if you use them.

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 11:14:02

If they're needed, then they aren't pointless.

Who wants to carry a used flannel around with them, or several, if they are dealing with bowel issues, for example.

People are living longer, and managing independently.
If wipes help, well...

NotAGran55 Sun 28-Apr-24 11:33:53

MissA yes of course there will be times when they are essential , but the vast majority of wipes aren’t ‘needed’ are they?

Baby wipes at home…floor wipes…face wipes… toilet cleaning wipes…

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 11:40:49

Nope, they're not, and I know they're a real issue in terms of getting rid of them.

If we all used just what we needed though, we'd all be going around on bikes wearing hessian sacks and bathing maybe... 3 or 4 times a year. smile

I'm much more inclined to use a wipe now than I ever would have been, simply because I've not got the energy to do or make any other alternatives.

HurdyGurdy Sun 28-Apr-24 11:54:24

I've seen various people suggesting putting an elastic band around the pack, which makes it easier to take just a single wipe from it. I would think placing a hand on the top of the pack as you're pulling the wipe out would have the same effect.

And as has already been said, store the pack upside down, to retain the moisture.

Chestnut Sun 28-Apr-24 12:28:53

Luckygirl3

I use Wype for wiping my bum rather than wet wipes. You squirt some on the loo paper and it basically turns it into a wet wipe. More eco friendly.

But I do agree about the nuisance of getting wet wipes in and out of their packaging. They do not interleave properly; and the sticky closures do not work if any wet gets on the packet.

I've never heard of Wype but it seems like the perfect solution and will save millions of bottom wipes going into landfill (or sewage). Not for everyone maybe but most people should be able to manage with this.
wypeuk.com/

pammysue25 Mon 29-Apr-24 19:10:01

Wrap a hair band just before the opening and it will keep the rest of the pack inside.

Caleo Tue 30-Apr-24 11:53:05

If you buy and used as portable bidet (£10-£20) you will have a cleaner bottom than you can get from wiping.