Baby wipes provide the convenience of a disposable, but their damaging effects on the environment are indisputable. For environmentally-conscious parents, switching to biodegradable wipes is an excellent choice to reduce their carbon footprint. Crafted from plant-based materials, these wipes are also gentle on your baby's delicate skin and less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Eco by Naty's Compostable Wipes took the top prize in our list of favorites! Made from 95 percent plant-based ingredients, their wipes help moisturize and soften your baby's skin. Plus, they are certified by various international standards, so you can rest assured of their biodegradability. Continue reading to find out what other baby wipes made the cut in our top 10 list and to find tips for choosing the right product for yourself in our buying guide reviewed by an environmental scientist.
Quick List - Top Biodegradable Baby Wipes
Jackson Reece Store
99% Naturally-Derived Ingredients from Renewable Plant Sources
Gwen Lynn is an environmental health and safety scientist who provides environmental and safety consulting and monitors air, land and water resources. She is also the founder of In A Green Minute, who creates podcasts and informational videos on environmental progressiveness and green technology.
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Regular baby wipes are made from plastic fibers and can have severe consequences on the environment. They can get stuck in the sewage systems and contaminate marine environments, permanently changing habitats for many aquatic species. Moreover, plastics can take more than 400 years to fully degrade at landfill sites!
So if you're conscious about your impact on the environment, switching over to biodegradable wipes is definitely a smart move. They can quickly break down in the environment and are also suitable for home-composting.
And since biodegradable wipes are mostly crafted from plant fibers, they are gentle on your baby's sensitive skin and less likely to cause skin irritation. Just keep in mind never to flush biodegradable wipes even if advertised by manufacturers because of the risk of clogging or damaging water pipes.
Choosing biodegradable baby wipes might not be easy as it seems since you have to consider the material of a product or potentially harmful ingredients to avoid. This buying guide will introduce some important tips that you might want to keep in mind to choose the best wipes for your baby!
For baby wipes to biodegrade, they need to be crafted from plant fibers. One of the most commonly found materials is bamboo fibers. Besides being extremely soft and lightweight, they have strong anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to trigger allergic reactions or cause skin irritation.
Plus, bamboo is a highly sustainable resource and doesn't require any fertilizers or pesticides. So you know wipes made from bamboo fibers are not only great for the environment but also for your baby's delicate skin!
Cotton is another great choice since this material can easily break down in the environment. Besides, cotton wipes are soft to the touch and pretty durable. They are also highly absorbent and can help you clean your baby's mess easily.
However, make sure to choose products made from organic or recycled cotton. Conventional cotton actually uses more insecticides than any other single crop. It is usually processed with agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides that are harmful to your baby's health and the environment.
Certified organic cotton or recycled cotton not only uphold organic agricultural standards but is also processed naturally, without toxic chemicals or GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
Don't just trust a product that claims to be 100 percent biodegradable or eco-friendly. That kind of advertisement might just be a marketing tactic to entice environmentally-conscious consumers.
To ensure that a product is truly safe for the environment, pick a product that's certified and bears reputable stamps such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Green Seal, Programme For The Endorsement Of Forest Certification (PEFC), US Forest Stewardship Council (US FSC), and EcoLogo.
Those stamps are the most trustworthy indication that your baby wipes are rigorously inspected and actually comply with environmental standards.
A baby's skin is delicate and more susceptible to irritation than that of an adult. So you should pay attention to the ingredient list and avoid any products that contain potential irritants for your baby.
Particularly, ingredients that could lead to skin irritation include phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, polysorbate 20, parabens, and methylchloroisothiazolinone or methylisothiazolinone (also known as MCI or MI).
Humectant moisturizers such as tocopheryl acetate and propylene glycol can also cause rashes and redness in babies and adults. You might want to be careful about synthetic fragrances (sometimes listed as 'parfums') as well.
People are usually enticed to purchase fragrance-infused products because of their pleasant aroma. However, synthetic fragrances might be formulated from a blend of chemicals such as phthalates, camphor, and acetone that can cause atopic dermatitis.
Some products boast natural fragrances derived from essential oils. Nonetheless, essential oils can be quite irritating to the skin. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, babies under three months old should not come into contact with these natural ingredients at all.
If you are not sure which ingredients can potentially trigger allergic reactions, choose a product that has been dermatologist-tested to be safe for the skin.
There are baby wipes labeled as "hypoallergenic," in which manufacturers claim their products are gentler and less likely to cause skin irritation, but note that there are no studies that support the claim of hypoallergenic products, so your best bet will be to try as best as you can to comb through the ingredients or consult a specialist.
Additionally, pay attention to the water content! A product that's moistened with a high level of water (over 95 percent) is gentle on your baby's delicate skin and will leave it feeling refreshed. Some baby wipes are also enriched with a small percentage of aloe vera or fruit extract to deliver soothing effects.
If the wipes are too rough, they might cause pain and rashes to your baby. So make sure that your chosen product is soft to the touch! You might want to consider wipes that are embossed or designed with extra loft since they often have a silky texture and are gentle on your baby's skin.
A quick way to confirm the wipes' softness is through the reviews, as parents would readily share the wipes' texture and if it irritated their baby's skin.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eco by Naty Sensitive Wipes - Unscented | ![]() | Compostable Wipes That Keep Skin Soft and Moisturized | |
2 | Jackson Reece Store Kinder by Nature Plant-Based Baby Wipes (12 pack) | ![]() | 99% Naturally-Derived Ingredients from Renewable Plant Sources | |
3 | Natracare Baby Wipes | ![]() | A USDA-Certified Product With Biobased Content | |
4 | Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Wipes | ![]() | Bamboo-Based Baby Wipes That Biodegrade in 21 Days | |
5 | The Honest Company Baby Wipes (8 pack) | ![]() | Embossed Wipes for Ultimate Softness | |
6 | Bum Boosa Bamboo Baby Wipes (6 pack) | ![]() | Hypoallergenic and Soothing Wipes for Your Baby's Delicate Skin | |
7 | Mum&You Compostable Baby Wipes (6 pack) | ![]() | Gentle Baby Wipes Certified by PEFC | |
8 | Whoopsie Wipes 100% Pure Cotton Dry Wipes (2 pack) | ![]() | Cruelty-Free Wipes That are Just 100% Cotton | |
9 | Rawganic Biodegradable Organic Cotton Baby Wipes | ![]() | Certified Organic Baby Wipes Infused With Aloe Vera | |
10 | Caboo Baby Wipes | ![]() | Enriched Soothing Ingredients and Compact by Design |
These wipes are verified and tested by many trustworthy certification bodies as truly biodegradable, compostable, and friendly for the ecosystem. They contain 95 percent plant-based ingredients and are free from chemicals like parabens or phthalates. They're also extra thick so that you can clean efficiently.
Despite being advertised as unscented, the wipes had a faint smell, said a few reviewers. One also found it too watery. Still, many reviewers commented that the product had a thick texture and didn't rip apart easily. Parents loved its softness and mentioned that the wipes were gentle on their little ones and didn't cause any skin irritation.
For environmentally-conscious customers, these wipes are probably one of the best bets out there! They are crafted with 99 percent naturally-derived ingredients from renewable plant sources. They're super gentle on the skin and work wonderfully for sensitive and eczema-prone skin. This product is also dermatologist- and pediatrician-approved!
Some reviewers were not that impressed with the product, saying the wipes tended to stick together, and it was quite tough to get one single wipe from the sachet. Nonetheless, many reviewers appreciated that these wipes were completely free from plastics and fully biodegradable. Others found them super soft and pretty moisturizing as well.
Crafted with certified organic cotton, these wipes are plush and have a silky-smooth texture. On top of that, they are USDA-certified to contain 98 percent biobased ingredients, so you know the manufacturer's claim about biodegradability is true!
These wipes also tout nourishing organic ingredients such as sweet almond oil and chamomile flower extract to leave your baby's skin feeling moisturized and refreshed.
Some reviewers noted that the product contained a scent that might be off-putting for those with fragrance sensitivity. Meanwhile, many reviewers loved how the product was free from harsh chemicals and gentle on their baby's skin. They added that their babies no longer suffered from rashes or other types of skin irritation.
Compared to regular wipes, these bamboo wipes are stronger and much softer to the touch. They also boast soothing ingredients such as chamomile and aloe vera to pamper your baby's skin. Even better, the product can biodegrade in as little as 21 days!
Some reviewers said wipes are quite thin, so they ended up having to use more. Others were also disappointed that the package was wrapped in plastic. On the other hand, many reviewers said this was their favorite because it struck a great balance between moisture and absorbency. Users were happy that the wipes were gentle and non-irritating to their babies' skin.
Wipes with a rough texture can easily irritate your baby's delicate skin, so it's time to switch over to a softer and gentler product! The Honest Company's wipes are embossed and feel soft to the touch. Even better, they contain none of the chemicals that might harm your baby's sensitive skin.
Some reviewers were not fans of these wipes since they stuck to each other and came out at once. They actually needed two hands to pull out a single wipe. Some thought that the formula had changed, but others noticed no difference.
Nevertheless, many reviewers were absolutely in love with these wipes, mentioning that they had a thick, ultra-soft texture and were pretty durable. Others also appreciated that the product didn't leave cloth pieces behind. Besides, many users were quite content that the wipes weren't soaking wet like others on the market.
This hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested product might be your lifesaver! It's completely free from potential irritants such as parabens, alcohol, and phthalates and crafted with only plant-based ingredients. The product is also infused with aloe vera, calendula extract, and pure-grade essential oils for a soothing effect.
Some reviewers were quite disappointed that the wipes stuck to each other, and others found the sheets quite small and thin as well. Still, many users complimented that these wipes worked wonderfully on their baby's skin. They said their babies didn't show any signs of allergic reactions after using them.
With zero percent plastic, these wipes can naturally biodegrade in four to six weeks and are the perfect solution for environmentally-conscious parents. Plus, the wipes are certified by PEFC, a certification body that promotes sustainable forest management. So by using the product, you are truly supporting the environment!
Some reviewers highlighted a few concerns: the wipes sticking together, their thin material, and difficulty pulling them out. Still, many were impressed with how soft these wipes felt. Others mentioned that the sheets were durable and didn't break apart or stick to their babies' skin. People also loved that the product was hypoallergenic and didn't trigger allergic reactions.
These wipes are made from 100 percent pure cotton and are free of fragrances, parabens, chlorine, and alcohol that could irritate your baby's sensitive skin. Plus, they can naturally biodegrade and pose no harm to the environment. Simply wet them with water, or use dry as a cloth.
Many reviewers highly recommended this product for its soft texture that felt gentle on the skin. Many found the wipes thick, durable, and large as well, so they didn't have to use a lot at once. Others further mentioned that the sheets were very absorbent and cleaned effectively.
Crafted from 100 percent biodegradable organic cotton, these wipes are an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. On top of that, they're cruelty-free and vegan! The product is also infused with aloe vera to keep your baby's skin nourished and moisturized.
A few people were quite disappointed with the product's size, saying it was smaller than regular wipes. On the other hand, many reviewers were happy with how soft and moist these sheets were. Others also said that they didn't clump together, so they experienced no hassles trying to pull one sheet out of the package.
These baby wipes are crafted with sustainably-sourced bamboo fibers. So compared to other products made from plastics, this product is more environmentally-friendly and can naturally biodegrade.
Moreover, they are enriched with vitamin E, chamomile, and aloe vera to leave your baby's skin feeling soft, moisturized, and refreshed. Those nourishing ingredients can also soothe irritated skin and are suitable for even the most sensitive skin!
Reviewers liked many things about these wipes, commenting that they held up better and didn't leave behind any cloth pieces or residue. Others were also happy with how gentle the wipes were and that they didn't trigger skin irritation.
If you're looking for ways to keep your baby clean and healthy (and who isn't!), we've got your back. Check out our articles for some suggestions.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Eco by Naty|Sensitive Wipes - Unscented
No. 2: Jackson Reece Store |Kinder by Nature Plant-Based Baby Wipes (12 pack)
No. 3: Natracare |Baby Wipes
No. 4: Aleva Naturals|Bamboo Baby Wipes
No. 5: The Honest Company|Baby Wipes (8 pack)
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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