8 Best Biodegradable Baby Wipes For Sustainable Cleans
Baby wipes are a staple for new parents and their babies. Wipes offer a convenient alternative to many cleaning options. However, this convenience can make it easy to disregard the effects of traditional wipes on the environment. From clogging our pipes to plastic pollution (yes, most traditional wipes contain plastic), the planet and your little ones will thank you for choosing eco-friendly, biodegradable baby wipes.
Not only do eco-friendly disposable baby wipes protect the environment, but they also care for a baby’s delicate skin. In this article, you’ll find biodegradable baby wipes to soothe your baby’s soft and sensitive skin.
The Problem with Traditional Baby Wipes
There’s no denying that a baby wipe makes it easy to clean messes, especially when out of the house. However, these wipes present a significant environmental challenge. On the one hand, flushable wipes lead to problems in the sewage system. You shouldn’t flush baby wipes, yet many still do, which leads to blocked sewers. Also, these wet wipes can end up in the oceans, thereby affecting marine life.
Conventional baby wipes and wet wipes contain plastic materials. As a result, these wet wipes don’t completely break down when they end up in the environment. Without being fully biodegradable, they contribute to pollution. Many regular baby wipes also contain toxic chemicals detrimental to the land and marine life.
Since we’re focusing on babies here, it’s also important to consider the best materials for their skin. Babies have delicate skin, with many of them also having sensitive skin, both of which call for avoiding nasty chemicals and going all-natural.
As such, it is hard to argue about switching to non-toxic, chemical-free, and biodegradable baby wipes. Many of the safer options are also fragrance-free. Apart from reusable wipes, biodegradable wipes are an eco-friendly option.
Why Go With Earth-Friendly Baby Wipes?
Removing baby wipes from the staples parents need to care for their little ones is almost impossible. Despite the environmental effects of traditional wet wipes, the good news is that there are eco-friendly biodegradable wipes. Besides your general eco-friendly wipes, many brands have created specific ones for babies.
These brands create something ideal for any baby by focusing on gentle and natural ingredients. Focusing on environmentally-friendly processes and ingredients puts earth-friendly baby wipes on top.
When examining eco-friendly baby wipes, you’ll come across disposable and reusable options. Reusable baby wipes offer a great option to reduce excess waste. However, certain situations may call for disposable wipes. In such cases, it’s best to go for eco-friendly baby wipes that will break down naturally.
Baby-focused companies have recognized this need. Therefore, you’ll now find biodegradable baby wipes that are plastic-free and free of harmful chemicals.
Companies are also embracing natural ingredients for utmost care. These can prevent the aggravation of diaper rash, for instance. We’ve highlighted some of the best eco-friendly baby wipes below.
8 Eco-Friendly Baby Wipes That’ll Biodegrade Naturally
Related: When looking for the best for the little ones in your life, also take a look at our breakdown of cloth vs. disposable diapers, ideas for zero-waste baby gifts, and recommendations for plastic-free baby bottles.
Quick links to the best biodegradable and compostable baby wipes:
1. Jackson Reece Kinder by Nature Plant-Based Baby Wipes
Jackson Reece developed its Kinder by Nature wet wipes to target babies with sensitive skin and eczema. This line of plant-based wipes includes 99% purified water with infusions of organic aloe vera and organic chamomile.
The brand’s use of plant extracts or renewable vegetables ensures it eliminates harsh chemicals from its products. This way, the natural disposable wet wipes with organic wood pulp soothe a baby’s sensitive skin.
Not only are these some of the best biodegradable baby wipes, but they’re also compostable. Each wipe is chlorine-free, hypoallergenic, and PH-balanced. The line is dermatologist approved to assure you that the product is ideal for a baby’s skin.
Best Baby Wipes for Sensitive Skin
Apart from sensitive and delicate skin, many babies also suffer from conditions like eczema. This raises the need for parents to pay attention to the products they apply to their babies' skin.
Jackson Reece crafted this line of wipes to avoid harming and potentially aggravating skin issues like this. These wipes are ideal, from plant-based materials to dermatologist and pediatrician approved. They’ve also won loads of awards for these eco-friendly baby products, including most recently gold at the Made for Mums Awards 2022.
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2. Eco by Naty Unscented Plant-Based Baby Wipes
Eco by Naty’s natural baby wipes offers everything your baby needs for the ultimate skin care. Each baby wipe is eco-friendly, super soft, and hypoallergenic. Strong scents can aggravate issues like a nappy rash for many babies. In this light, these unscented wipes are free from synthetic fragrances.
Eco by Naty makes their wipes from plant-based fibers. As a result, they’ll break down naturally in the environment within 12 weeks. You can also compost them at home. These environmentally friendly options are bleach-free, dye-free, plastic-free, and GMO-free. By eliminating nasty and harsh ingredients to focus on gentle ones, Eco by Naty protects babies and the environment.
Best Unscented Eco-Friendly Wipes
This brand has been in the market for years. Its mission is to take on materials that are great for our body's health and the environment.
Rooted in this belief, it created its line of eco-friendly wet wipes. These products contain certified organic ingredients and are cruelty-free certified. The packaging also comes from renewable materials to ensure an all-around eco-friendly product.
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3. WaterWipes Biodegradable Textured Clean, Toddler & Baby Wipes
These water wipes serve as an ideal tool for parents when cleaning up. The wipes are made from simple ingredients. These ingredients are 99.9% purified water, berry, and fruit extract.
WaterWipes’ water-based products are also biodegradable and compostable, making them better for the planet.
With no artificial fragrance and non-toxic formula, these textured, clean wipes can serve even the most sensitive skin. It's also free from parabens and sulfates. With these three simple ingredients, parents can rest assured that gentle products touch babies’ skin.
Compared with traditional wipes, the simple ingredients in each wipe are suitable for allergy-prone and eczema-prone skin.
Dermatologically Approved & Multipurpose
Accepted by the Eczema Association of America and approved by the Skin Health Alliance, these wipes are trusted by experts. The Vegan Society, the oldest vegan organization, also registered the products.
From its non-toxic formula to its soft texture and recognition, it’s clear that these are some of the best eco-friendly wipes. Best of all, these environmentally friendly baby wipes won’t contribute to pollution since they’re biodegradable. They can also serve multiple purposes beyond cleaning baby messes.
4. Mum & You Biodegradable Baby Wet Wipes
Mum & You make these wipes using naturally derived fibers. They contain no plastic and include 99.4% water. These wipes are made of minimal ingredients that are simple to understand. In this light, it’s easy for parents and caretakers to know what they apply to children’s skin.
The formula is gentle with the ingredients containing moisturizing properties. Mum & You wet wipes are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and also dermatologically tested. So, there’s no fluff here. The company doesn’t test any of its ingredients on animals, so rest assured the product is cruelty-free.
Soft, Fragrance-Free Gentle Wipes
Although soft, these wipes are also strong in texture. This way, they offer gentle care without being flimsy. Using minimal and simple ingredients makes them ideal for babies at all stages of their growth. Apart from diaper changes, the product is also suitable for hand and face cleaning. This is especially because it's free from artificial fragrances that can irritate babies.
5. ATTITUDE Biodegradable Wipes for Sensitive Skin
ATTITUDE wipes offer clean solutions for babies and the planet. This brand’s formula is free from harmful chemicals. Instead, it focuses on safe and natural ingredients. The products contain plant-based materials and are free from synthetic fragrances.
By being biodegradable and compostable, these items have a minimal environmental impact. It comes from 100% cellulose fiber. ATTITUDE also improved its process by making the wipes thicker and more durable to avoid constant tears.
Gentle and Convenient Wet Wipes for Babies
This product from ATTITUDE stands out for its gentle properties. After all, products that target babies and their skin should prioritize this. Since ATTITUDE has a range of baby and kids’ items, the brand communicates its dedication through its careful formulation of products. The wipes are non-toxic for the little ones and the planet.
6. Natracare Organic Cotton Baby Wipes
Natracare takes a different approach by using organic cotton to craft its baby wipes. Rather than going with regular cotton, the brand opted for certified organic cotton.
These wipes also come infused with organic essential oils. The essential oil formula is best suited for parents and kids looking to benefit from this organic formula.
Each wipe contains chamomile, sweet almond oil, and apricot and is made with a plant-based formula that excludes oil-based plastics and other unnecessary chemicals. This way, it stays simple and effective while remaining environmentally safe.
Organic Cotton Wet Wipes for Baby’s Delicate Skin
These organic cotton wipes are ideal for everyday use due to their gentle formulation. They’re soft, delicate, and effective at tackling messes. Organic cotton works together with essential oils to cleanse and refresh the skin. You can also use them when camping or enjoying picnics.
If you value natural organic cotton fiber, you might also like to keep an eye out for reusable organic cotton wipes.
7. ECO BOOM Bamboo Viscose Wipes
ECO BOOM focuses on using bamboo viscose as opposed to tree-based formulas. With its moisture-wicking and breathable properties, this material is ideal for application on babies’ skin.
Panda-friendly bamboo is also a great eco-friendly alternative to tree-based products. It grows quickly and reduces the burden on the world’s trees and forests. The brand uses water as its base ingredient while preventing toxic and heavy metal ingredients in its production.
ECO BOOM’s wipes are unscented, making them ideal for babies even with the most delicate of skin. Unlike many traditional wipes that may only be suitable for children of a certain age, this product serves all ages. It is ideal for cleaning messes and serving the hands and face.
100% Biodegradable Bamboo Wipes
Taking a different approach from the typical organic cotton or wood pulp materials, ECO BOOM goes with bamboo. The bamboo viscose material serves both the baby and the planet. Its unscented nature makes it ideal for a baby’s soft skin.
8. Ecoriginals 3 Packs of Wipes
Ecoriginals’ plant-based wipes are made from sustainably sourced bamboo fiber. This formulation targets the planet and babies' soft skin. The brand’s products are made in New Zealand, focusing on organic materials.
Apart from eco-friendly products, the company champions sustainability throughout its processing. The site where it manufactures its wipes runs on renewable energy to support sustainable development.
By focusing on certified organic materials, the brand ensures its products are biodegradable by focusing on certified organic materials. Taking it a step further, you can also compost these wet wipes at home; however, avoid composting wipes with poop. With the 3-pack packaging, you get a total of 210 wipes, with 70 wipes in every single pack.
Related: Biodegradable vs. Compostable
Earth and Baby-Friendly Wipes
Ecorignals is committed to providing safe items for both the environment and the skin. Its careful selection of organic ingredients makes it clear that these products serve their purpose.
When shopping with the brand, you have the option to pick from three wipe variants. There’s the New Zealand Purified Water, New Zealand Manuka Honey, and New Zealand Goat Milk. Alternatively, you can buy the variety pack where you can select one of each type.
Although these variants have slightly different formulations, some ingredients run across each of them. Such ingredients include purified water, organic aloe vera extract, chamomile oil, vitamin e, and Japanese soybean amino acid. These gentle ingredients make the wipes delicate on a baby’s soft skin.
Conclusion
Wet wipes offer a convenient and accessible way to clean a baby’s bum and hands quickly. However, with the impact of traditional wipes on the environment, it’s necessary to evaluate the use of wipes. In comes eco-friendly biodegradable baby wipes.
These products serve babies and the environment with simple ingredients and gentle materials. Above, we’ve highlighted some of the best eco-friendly wipes that are effective for cleaning up and being soft on the planet.
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
