Wet wipes

I believe Which? have done reports on some wipes. Safe to Flush was best in class for toilet wipes (you can get them at Waitrose and Amazon, and presumably elsewhere)

I feel I must play the part of Devils Advocate here because many of the people posting suggestions on here for alternatives to wet wipes are concerned with cleaning the home and keeping themselves clean at home.

However due to the very different lives people live now (are often forced to live now) many people spend a goodly portion of their days and evenings in transit either directly to their workplace and back but often with detours to drop off children to nursery or school not local anymore then collect same children after and take them to various after school activities to occupy them until one parent or responsible adult can take over whilst another goes off to work.

It is a logistical nightmare if you have children attending different schools

My point being: these are long days and some hardly touch base so I can’t blame people if they use a wet wipe here or there to make the day more bearable, whether it be a deodorant, cleanser, or botty wipe or one to clean up their surroundings.

They are convenient and COVID aside it is going to take a sea change to get folks to cart damp flannels even if lathered with pretty soaps in there daily baggage burden.

I do “the nice thick/soft flannel- doused in a solution of my best soap -plus a dry one -in a food freezer bag” on picnic type outings or just anywhere where there is a likely to be grubbiness/stickiness; which is regarded with amusement by my adult kids but has come in handy on at least three occasions in the past year eg when younger GC “accidentally” sprayed older GC with sticky squash just before they were due to drive home in an already hot car.

Also manufacturers should just stop lying: stop saying these things are flushable when they are not and be truthful about the facts regarding biodegradability.
Rant over ?

I feel the same as Scones. I can’t believe that chemicals are sold in garden centres. It’s absurd.

We use flannels for washing our faces, soap and water. Don’t use wipes. Cleaning cloths are old towels or flannels that have seen better days. I buy concentrated disinfectant and use in a plant spray diluted with water. I don’t buy wipes for cleaning.

Many countries sell cotton buds with cardboard 'sticks' - and sold in cardboard boxes with thin plastic lid, btw. There is NO need for plastic sticks and plastic boxes.

Well * Bijou* there is no way I will be using Vim and a scrubbing brush on my bottom, thankyou very much ?

Make sure the teabags don't contain plastic, though, as lots do.

Good teabag tip Jannicans, I’ll do that

Tea bags can be allowed to dry out then soaked in a mild fertiliser and then when planting seedlings put one under each plant, gives it a good start. Cut tags and strings off first.

There are plenty of clothes made from cotton that will make excellent polishing and dusting clothes when worn out.

I'm not suggesting we dont reuse/recycle our old clothing though!

Unfortunately it will be hard to find anything, clothes included that dont have plastic in them.

No point putting them in the bin unused!! They exist now.. they will still be going to landfill!!!... the important thing is that is where they actually go..
Putting babywipes, cottonbuds, makeup pads etc down the loo is the issue.
But you are right.. NO MORE WIPES.. of any kind..

I there anything wrong with soap and water. Generations have used it with no I'll effects long term. Your giving huge companies your hard earned money because they tell you wipes are better and more convenient. They don't tell you they are helping to destroy the planet

for those with delicate bottoms etc, could you use something like clinisan spray on some toilet paper.
it is a cleansing foam and very gentle and effective.
www.incontinenceshop.com/synergy-health-clinisan-emollient-skin-cleansing-foam-200ml?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5oiMBhDtARIsAJi0qk2ImbWLPNrivetnHYqf4pBnddgNjQpuBPa5xnwZDvrRbQr2a0X0tz4aAtd2EALw_wcB

I don’t understand what a biodegradable wipe is. Does it degrade in landfill? Or should it go into compost bins? Or does it simply mean that there are no plastics in it?

There are cases such as posters have detailed on here where wipes are a useful measure but for most of us, they’re not essential, we can come up with better ideas. My mum always said windows are always best cleaned with a pair of men’s old underpants, though as my dad died over 20 years ago, I’m not sure what she uses now!

I think many people are looking at the solution to this problem from the wrong angle.

The answer is not biodegradeable wipes, it is just drastically reducing the amount of wipes you use.

I am amazed that people risk using them to wipe surfaces food is prepared on. I really would not want the numerous unknown and untested for human consumption chemicals wet wipes are soaked in put on surfaces I prepare food on so that they saturate into the food. As well put a wipe on a plate before serving the food on it!

Aldi sell biodegradable wipes I’m sure the other supermarkets must do as well. I use old rags for cleaning.

Kali2

Shinamae

I use the face wipes and always bin them, would never dream of flushing any sort of wipe..

They will all end up in landfill and one day will be up and about again.

TBH they should be banned NOW, same for those floor wipes, even worse!

not here they don't, all the refuse where I live is closed system incinerated and the heat generated is used as power

I use a bar of soap not hand wash.
Biodegradable face wipes/binned. Vinegar water and atouch of washing up liquid in old spray bottle for cleaning windows etc
Old tea towels and vests as cloths.
The residue of Yorkshire pudding mixture for base of gravy.
Wash and reuse plastic bags.
Started to turn off more lights.
Intend to try bar of shampoo.

Riverwalk, our 'camping wash' technique was very similar, with a bottle of warm water - and a bit of soap on a hand. Very effective and handy when too ill for a shower.

I did not know cotton wool had plastic either. Thanks. This is such a good thread; we can all be educated more on such matters.

When my first baby was born we were encouraged to wash tiny new born bottoms with water. I used a wipe once which were quite new then and a nurse called my lazy!

I recently bought some silicone lids which are quite good, in a variety,of sizes. I always used cling film before and although it is sooo useful I don’t use it now (I also have a very useful, but now redundant cling film holder from Lakeland,)

It’s not practical for the NHS to use a separate wet rag on every surface between every patient, but I hope they use plastic free disposable wipes.

I never have used, or will use, wet wipes. What's wrong with a damp cloth or rag?

The Wilko wipes are made of viscose, which is biodegradable.