The wonderful world of wipes
Categories: Newborns, Babies, Toddlers, Health & safety, Life & style, Playground bureau, Baby essentials, Mommy musts, Home remedies, Chores, Shopping & recalls
Wipes. Once you have a child, it seems impossible to get away from using them. They're everywhere and made to use for everything baby related. And there are so many different kinds to choose from, you find yourself sampling until you find the "right" wipe for your family. Some prefer the all-natural variety, some prefer antibacterial. Others prefer the sensitive skin version, and some just go for whatever is cheapest. Heck, you can even make your own baby wipes at home.
But, are wipes all they're cracked up to be? Are they really safe for all the uses for which they are available? I use them to wipe up during a diaper change. And I use them to wipe my hands. And I use them to wipe down the table after my son has his meal. And I've been known on occasion to use them to wipe his face after said meal. I've used them to wipe his nose instead of traditional tissues because they keep the skin on his nose from drying out.
My husband came home from Costco with a box of 700 wipes. Yes, 700. And all for the low cost of like $17. But are they good for the environment? Do they disintegrate or pile up in a landfill somewhere like everything else? Is it worth it for the convenience? And what about the organic versions versus the regular kind? Is there any real advantage to using chlorine-free wipes as opposed to generic ones? So many questions, so many wipes. They're invaluable when it comes to diaper changing duties, but other than that are they really worth it? I come from the cloth napkin world where little is thrown away or not reused, but I love the cleanliness and simplicity of the wipe. Is there any middle ground?
What is your favorite type of wipe, or have you found a way to get things (and your kids) clean without them?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marinda 9-03-2008 @ 3:33PM
I use wipes for everything. No particular brand. I like the Huggies but I will buy whatever is on sale. The Parents Choice brand at Walmart are just as good and often half the price. The thing I have found though, no matter what the brand, they are excellent at taking out stains. ! I can't tell you how many times I have spilled babyfood or had it spit on and the wipe takes it right off. Even the green and orange foods if you get them right away come right off. I even used them out to eat once when I got something on my shirt. Try it..
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Jillian 9-03-2008 @ 3:50PM
We use the 7th Gen kind but my absolute favorite are cloth wipes. They do such a better clean up job than thin disposable wipes. All you have to do is get them wet and then use them. They wash easily, dry easily, don't go in the trash or the landfill, and you can even get them in cute colors or fabrics. They also make great distractions during diaper changes!
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rebecca Biernesser 9-03-2008 @ 4:39PM
i prefer huggies and the target brand that is like huggies......AND I LOVE THEM. I use them everywhere...wiping down tbls, cleaning off baby... i have even used them for bath times if i wasn't where i could put them in a tub/sink and they could take a shower with me...i have used them when it's hot to cool off the kids. There are tons of uses for them and i think i use them all....
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SKL 9-03-2008 @ 4:45PM
In general, I use cloth for everything except my kids' butts. For that, I buy flushable, biodegradable wipes. I have been known to use them on nasty bathroom messes a few times, too.
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Heather 9-03-2008 @ 9:28PM
Baby wipes are machine washable! We have been using the same 3 packs of wipes since my 6 month old was born.It easy to just throw the wipes in the wash with our cloth diapers but we also use them in the kitchen and wash them with the dishtowels. The Costco Kirkland wipes seem to work best,we had some samples of Huggies and Pampers that we tried as well,they dont hold up as well and ball up in the dryer making them hard to use.When they come out of the dryer I just get them wet and throw them in a big ball in a wipe warmer or wipe container.There are wipe solution recepies online but we find it easiest to just use plain water.
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c_rousseau05 9-04-2008 @ 1:23AM
I use wipes for my daughters diaper area mostly, occasionally if we are out for her face/hands/whatever is dirty lol. At home I clean her up with a damp cloth kitchen towel. I don't mind the extra laundry and she's cloth diapered, but not cloth wiped (too gross for me, it's enough to have to spray the poo into the toilet, it can get messy). I would have to say my favorite brand and the ONLY kind I will buy is Huggies. They are thick and so I don't have to use a lot even on a very messy diaper. With cheaper brands I can use up to three, but with the Huggies ones I use only one.
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Robiana 9-04-2008 @ 9:20AM
Just keep in mind that most wipes are not woven cloth but they are fibers which are bound together with a formaldehyde containing binder. I hope to get away from using them as soon as we can. On another note we use the Pampers sensitives. The Target brand breaks out my 2yr old son. I can't stand the smell of the toddler wipes and I hate the way the Huggies brand sticks together.
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