Wet wipes are versatile to use for any purpose from personal hygiene to household cleaning. Let’s get to know better these occasionally life-saving products.
The inventor of the wet wipes is an American man called
Working in the cosmetics industry, Julius trademarked the name Wet-Nap in 1958. He shared his invention at the 1960 National Restaurant Show in Chicago. Later on, in 1963, he started selling Wet-Naps to widely known fast food franchise KFC.
What are Wet Wipes?
Disposable wet wipes are moistened pieces of non-woven fabric that are used to clean or for hygienic purposes. Different names can be used. Some are “wet towel”, “moist towelette”, “disposable wipe”, “disinfecting wipe” or a “baby wipe”.
Structure of Wet Wipes
Many raw materials can be used in the production of these products. Bamboo, rayon, or plastic are three optional materials to use in production. The cleansing solution may also vary depending on the brand and purpose. Manufacturers are free to add fragrance or moisturizing agents into the products as they please to make the product stand out.
A Practical Cleaning Option
Wet wipes are divided into multiple categories regarding their purposes. These categories are Baby wipes, personal hygiene, cleansing pads, industrial wipes, pain relief, pet care, healthcare. Out of all these categories, “baby wipes” is the most popular one.
Wet wipes have made our life so convenient. Easy to carry and use, we did not even realise when they became our best hygiene partner. But you will be surprised to know that our freshly smelling wet wipes have been labelled as the biggest villain, by a leading British daily.
We carry wet wipes everywhere for emergency clean-ups. Many people even keep flushable wipes in their toilet for better cleaning instead of the ordinary toilet paper. We even carry anti-bacterial wipes to clean the dirty surface. But why are these innocent wipes entitled as a villain? There is not one but several reasons.
These wipes contain nasty toxic chemicals
A report by Reuters claimed that wet wipes can cause rashes in uncomfortable places. Another report gave an example of a man who had a rash around his anus, which was so bad and painful that he couldn’t walk for months. Some of these wipes contain MCI (methylchloroisothiazolinone), which can be harsh on the skin.
You'd be shocked to know that there are certain baby wipes that contain preservatives and fragrances that should not come in contact with human skin, especially that of infants and small children.
Wipes spread bacteria
When the same wet wipes are used to clean multiple surfaces, they only spread the bacteria instead of eliminating them. A research conducted by the Cardiff University found that wet wipes have great variability when it comes to killing bacteria, making the good old soap and water a much better choice.
Flushing wipes has disgusting results
Many people choose to flush down the wipes in the toilet, which can clog the toilet leading to its overflow. The wipes can even clog the sewers.
Wet wipes can cause havoc for the environment
Most wet wipes contain plastic fibre, which makes them partially non-biodegradable. When these wipes make their way into the bigger water bodies, aquatic animals consume them and eventually die.
Disposable baby diapers make diaper changes a lot easier and more convenient. They are specially designed with gentle formulas for sensitive baby skin. Based on consumer preferences, baby wipes can be scented, unscented, fragrance-free, and sensitive. Each brand’s formulas and wipe materials are unique.
Apart from diaper changing, baby wipes can also be used while cleaning hands, surfaces, or toys.
Except for the specially produced ones, wet wipes should not be flushed down the toilets. They are non-woven materials, bonded together using resins, chemicals, or high pressure. This prevents them from breaking apart or dissolve in water which can lead to sewer blockages.
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