There are also many advantages of Biodegradable Wipes

Wet wipes have been getting a bad press lately – they can clog pipes, build up in landfills and harm marine life when they are flushed down toilets. Biodegradable wipes are a step in the right direction as they’re made from plant-based materials that break down naturally in the environment. The best biodegradable wet wipes are cruelty free and free from alcohol, parabens and phthalates, so you can feel good about using them on baby’s bottom.

Most biodegradable wet wipes are made from cotton, bamboo or organic wood pulp. They can also contain viscose, cellulose or natural essential oils as a gentle alternative to the synthetic cleansers and perfumes that are found in other brands of wet wipes. However, it’s important to check what the label says because some brands of water wipes use a mix of both biodegradable materials like viscose and non-biodegradable materials like polyester.

Many brands claim that their biodegradable wet wipes are compostable. However, to be compostable they must decompose into organic material and not release chemicals that can pollute the rest of the compost. It’s also worth noting that if the wipes are antibacterial or contain benzalkonium chlorides or sodium hypochlorite, they cannot be put in a home compost bin as they would leach out toxic chemicals.

Some brands of biodegradable wet wipes are labelled as ‘septic safe’ or ‘flushable’. However, they can still cause problems in the septic system or toilet as they are not designed to break down in a septic tank. To be safe, only biodegradable wet wipes made from 100% organic wood pulp or cotton fibre can be used in septic systems and flushed down toilets.