Water Wipes claim to be the world’s purest baby wipe.
In this Water Wipes review we’ll take a look at this claim.
The problem with standard baby wipes is that they are packed full of chemical-based ingredients, aren’t biodegradable and are generally not eco-friendly at all.
With just two ingredients in their product, as well as the wipe itself, Water Wipes say their wipes provide gentle care and effective cleaning for baby’s skin alongside having environmental and sustainability benefits.
So, if Water Wipes are the real deal this could be great news for parents, babies and the environment. Let’s take a look.
- What are Water Wipes made from? Are they just water?
- Do Water Wipes contain plastic?
- Water Wipes vs standard baby wipes?
- Are Water Wipes biodegradable and compostable?
- Are Water Wipes antibacterial?
- Are water wipes sustainable?
- Are baby water wipes flushable?
- Where to buy Water Wipes?
- Other types of Water Wipes
What are Water Wipes made from? Are they just water?
According to Waterwipes.com, Water Wipes contain just two ingredients:
- Specially purified water (99.9%)
- A drop of grapefruit extract (0.1%)
How do they achieve this?
The company behind Water Wipes say it’s their specially purified water that makes their product the best in the business.
Water Wipes do this through their unique seven-stage water purification process in Drogheda, Ireland.
This process removes any impurities and softens the water, which allows for more effective cleaning than standard tap water even if it has been boiled first.
In fact, the water in Water Wipes is so pure that they have been accredited by the Skin Health Alliance as suitable for premature babies, as well as newborns and those with sensitive skin.
The actual wipe itself is made from viscose.
This is a plant-based material that has generally been grown in Asia and has been highly processed.
In essence, it comes from the fibres of wood and can also be made from bamboo plants. If you’re interested you can read more about viscose and bamboo sustainability here.
Do Water Wipes contain plastic?
No, the new Water Wipes do not contain plastic. They are plastic free.
Previously, the wipes were made from a blend of 80% polyester and 20% viscose, however these have been changed so they are now 100% plant-based viscose.
Although the wipes themselves are plastic-free, the packaging does contain plastic in the form of low density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE is a type of thermoplastic that can be recycled, but at a specialist facility.
It’s the same stuff that plastic bags and often coffee bags are made from. You can read more on plastic resin codes and recycling here.
Each pack of wipes is also wrapped in a thinner plastic film to help keep them airtight. This isn’t recyclable, although the company say they are looking into it.
On the plus side for Water Wipes, their boxes are made from recycled cardboard, which can itself be recycled.
Water Wipes vs standard baby wipes?
Standard baby wipes often contain a lot of chemical-based, synthetic ingredients.
The traditional baby wipes that we’ve all bought before have an average of 16 ingredients in them. These ingredients do all sorts of jobs and include surfactants, preservatives, conditioning agents, emollients, fragrances, pH buffers and more.
Even the sensitives wipes and those that are ‘purer’ and more ‘natural’ can have anywhere from 7 to 15 ingredients.
Water Wipes say you don’t need all these extra chemicals – just two ingredients will clean effectively. The ingredient that makes Water Wipes so special is the highly purified water!
Many standard baby wipes do contain plastic with the actual wipe material made from a type of plastic, unlike the plant-based Water Wipe material.
That said, Water Wipes are a great example of more eco friendly baby wipes that are helping to stem the tide on the waste problem we have.
Are Water Wipes biodegradable and compostable?
As Water Wipes are now made from 100% plant-based fibres, so yes Water Wipes are biodegradable.
Independent testing has verified that the wipes meet the standard for full biodegradability and will break down into organic matter, carbon dioxide and water in 12 weeks.
This standard is known as EN13432 which actually makes the wipes compostable. You can learn more about compostable materials here.
However, don’t be throwing these wipes into your garden composter just yet. The EN13432 standard means that a material is compostable by an industrial composting facility only. This is because home composters don’t get hot enough or have the right balance of conditions to break everything down.
So, if you’re in the UK, make sure you put them into your garden/food waste bin that gets collected by your local council.
Are Water Wipes antibacterial?
As Water Wipes contain just two ingredients, let’s tackle them both.
Water, whether it’s sterile or purified, can’t be classed as antibacterial as it can be quite easily contaminated.
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) does have natural antimicrobial properties, as shown in this 2021 study, when tested against MRSA and other multi-drug resistant bacteria.
In Water Wipes, GSE only makes up 0.1% of the ingredients – is this enough?
The study linked to above shows that GSE demonstrates antibacterial properties even at very low concentrations of 1/1024, which low and behold is 0.1%.
The slight catch is that this antibacterial element may come from benzalkonium chloride which is a synthetic disinfectant used in commercial GSE products as explained here.
The good thing is, with no artificial fragrances, Water Wipes can be considered hypoallergenic and safe to use on babies.
Are water wipes sustainable?
Overall, I would consider water wipes to be sustainable.
They are now made from 100% plant based materials and as you now know contain just two ingredients – purified water and grape seed extract.
The wipes are also considered compostable, which is a good standard for judging if something is sustainable.
Are baby water wipes flushable?
No, these baby Water Wipes are not flushable.
No wipes – even flushable wipes – should be flushed down the toilet as they combine with other items, such as oils, that cause problems for the sewer network.
Water Wipes are still biodegradable, but they just can’t be flushed down the toilet.
While we’re on the subject of toilets, you might like to take a look at the best eco friendly toilet rolls and best eco toilet cleaners.
Where to buy Water Wipes?
You can buy Water Wipes from most supermarkets in the UK.
As you know, supermarkets aren’t the most ethical and environmentally of places, as has been shown by Ethical Consumer magazine. Unfortunately, I can’t see any Water Wipes available from the popular online eco shops.
Overall, I think Water Wipes are an eco friendly and sustainable alternative, particularly when compared to many other wipes which are packed with synthetic chemicals.
Other types of Water Wipes
Since the original Water Wipes landed on the market, there are now many companies that have taken the idea of creating a simple and hopefully sustainable wipe.
Some other types of water wipes include:
- Aldi water wipes
- Huggie water wipes
- Lidl water wipes
- Mamia water wipes
Related Articles:
- 10 Best Places To Find Eco Friendly & Biodegradable Baby Wipes
- 8 Best Eco Friendly Nappies For Your Baby [2022 Guide]
- How To Wash Reusable Baby Nappies? [Step By Step]
I’m the Creator and Editor of Tiny Eco Home Life. I write and publish information about more sustainable, environmentally friendly living in and around the home. Alongside this website, I love spending time in the natural world, living a simple life and spending time with my young family (Murphy the dog!) I round up my thoughts and recent blogs on the Eco Life Newsletter.
