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The Best Wet Wipes

Adam Radosavljevic/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated February 2022

Many people think of wet wipes only as a way to clean up a baby's skin during a diaper change or after a spit-up. While it's true they're handy for these tasks, there are many other scenarios you will want to have these trusty wet wipes for.

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  Best for Babies Best for Faces Best for Flushing Best for Men Best for Hands
 
  Pampers
Sensitive Water Based Baby Diaper Wipes
Burt's Bees
Facial Cleansing Towelette Wipes
Cottonelle
FreshFeel Flushable Wet Wipes
DUDE
Flushable Wipes
Wet Ones
Antibacterial Hand Wipes
 
Our SummaryThese pediatrician-recommended wipes are gentle and soothing on your baby's sensitive skin.From a trusted name in plant-based skincare, these facial wipes are made to cleanse and care for even the most sensitive skin.These wastewater utility-approved wipes will leave you feeling fresh and clean after using the loo.These extra-large freshening wipes are made from plant-based materials.These skin-safe wipes will keep germs at bay.
ProsThick, clean and absorbent, no loose bits of lint.Made with climate-friendly carbon-neutral manufacturing practices, soothing aloe, refreshes irritated skin, removes makeup well.Climate-friendly, eight-pack saves time and money, made with plant-based fibers, no plastic or chemicals.Clean well, don't tear easily, soft and comfortable to use, made from pure ingredients.Contain witch hazel, remain wet for a long time, individual packages fit into a purse or diaper bag.
ConsPlastic cover can break easily, can be dry.Packaging isn't user-friendly, tend to dry out quickly.Shouldn't be flushed, difficult to grab one wipe at a time, tend to rip.Won't fit in most wipe dispensers, not good for septic systems.Not antiviral, packaging is not environmentally friendly.
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The Best Wet Wipes

A hand picks up a wet wipe from a package.
Adam Radosavljevic/Shutterstock.com

Wet wipes are a useful, quick, and convenient way to clean on the go. They’re hygiene must-haves for people of various ages. Check out our picks below to see what works best for you.

Buying Guide for Wet Wipes

A mother in winter outerwear is gently wiping her child's hand with a wet wipe.
Wet Ones

Why buy wet wipes?

Wet wipes are made to remove dirt and germs, making them a great option for wiping off your face and/or hands in a pinch. And since many wet wipes disinfect, people like to keep wet wipes on them when they’re out and about to clean and wipe down tabletops, toilet seats, doorknobs, and other surfaces to prevent the spread of germs and increase their personal hygiene. Some people keep them in their homes as well in case of spills or messes that only require quick wipe-downs. There are many benefits to keeping disposable wet wipes on hand, whether in your home, car, or purse.

What should you consider in wet wipes?

  • Hypoallergenic: Since wet wipes are often used on the skin, you’ll want to make sure that they won’t cause irritation or an allergic reaction on your or your family’s skin. If you or any of your loved ones have sensitive skin or allergies, investing in hypoallergenic wet wipes is a wise choice. If you plan to use the wet wipes on your baby when you change their diaper, be sure to look for hypoallergenic or baby-designed wet wipes since infants have much more sensitive and delicate skin than adults or older children.
  • Eco-Friendly: Wet wipes are disposable rather than reusable, so they can make your garbage pile up quickly. If you’re striving to live a greener, more environmentally friendly lifestyle, disposable wipes may seem counterproductive to that way of life. However, there are environmentally friendly and biodegradable wet wipes available. These are made of organic, sustainable ingredients and will break down naturally rather than filling up landfills and causing pollution.
  • Quantity: How often do you use wet wipes? Since they’re meant to be disposed of after one use, most people tend to go through them fairly quickly, especially if they use them daily. The odds are good that you’ll want to order in larger rather than smaller quantities, especially since ordering them in bulk can be more cost-efficient. However, if you tend to use them infrequently, a pack with fewer wipes should serve you just fine.

How long will wet wipes last?

If you’re looking to stock up, wet wipes are a great sundry item to have on hand. They can last up to 3 years if they remain sealed and stored in a temperate indoor storage area. Once you open them, they can last up to 4 weeks. But be sure to seal the package each time you use them so that they don’t dry out.

Our Picks for the Best Wet Wipes

Best for Babies

Pampers Sensitive Water-Based Baby Diaper Wipes

These pediatrician-recommended wipes are gentle and soothing on your baby's sensitive skin.

Pros: These baby wipes are nice and thick, keeping your hands out of messes. They clean and absorb messes well, too. Plus, there are no loose bits of lint in these wipes that can cause frustration when cleaning your baby. They’re water-based, so they’re gentle on your baby’s skin, and they come from a trusted brand in baby products. You get 576 total wipes in this box of eight packages.

Cons: The plastic cover can break easily, and they’re not the wettest baby wipes on the market.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a solid baby wipe option that won’t break the bank, these are a great go-to. They’re available with a subscription, so you don’t even have to think about re-ordering. Best of all, they’re hypoallergenic and completely safe to use on your baby.

 

Pros: These wipes are made with climate-friendly, carbon-neutral manufacturing practices. They have soothing aloe that refreshes irritated skin, and they remove makeup remarkably well. They come from Burt’s Bees, a trusted brand for personal care products.

Cons: The packaging isn’t the most user-friendly; it can be difficult to pull out one wipe at a time. They also tend to dry out quickly.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for great facial wipes that will work with most skin types, try these ones from Burt’s Bees. They feel soft on your skin and won’t dry you out. Plus, they’re perfect for tossing in an overnight bag on the go.

 

Best for Flushing

Cottonelle FreshFeel Flushable Wet Wipes

These wastewater utility-approved wipes will leave you feeling fresh and clean after using the loo.

Pros: These wipes are Climate Pledge friendly. You get eight full packs, saving time and money. They’re also made with plant-based fibers and no plastic or chemicals.

Cons: It can be difficult to grab one wipe at a time out of the package. They also tend to rip.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for great wipes to use in the restroom, try these. You get a lot of bang for your buck with these wipes. Plus, they stay wet better than some other brands.

 

Best for Men

DUDE Flushable Wipes

These extra-large freshening wipes are made from plant-based materials.

Pros: These wipes clean very well and don’t tear easily. They’re super soft and comfortable to use. They’re also made from pure ingredients—no plastic fibers, parabens, or alcohol. Plus, they have aloe vera and vitamin E in them for a soothing clean.

Cons: Because these are larger than traditional wipes, they won’t fit in most wipe dispensers. The moisture tends to drip down, leaving the top tier of wipes a little dry.

Bottom Line: If you’d like an extra-large wipe to help you feel fresh, these may be a great selection for you. They have clean, hypoallergenic ingredients.

 

Best for Hands

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes

These skin-safe wipes will keep germs at bay.

Pros: They contain witch hazel which is soothing on your skin. If the package remains properly sealed, the wipes will remain wet for a long time. And the individual packages are small enough to fit into a purse or diaper bag.

Cons: While these are antibacterial, they are not antiviral. The packaging is not environmentally friendly.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for antibacterial wipes you can easily take on the go, these are a classic choice. They’re compact and virtually mess-free. Plus, they contain aloe to help soothe the skin.

Final Thoughts

Wet wipes are perfect for gently removing dirt, germs, and other undesirables from your skin. They’re compact enough to carry along in the car, on a trip, in a diaper bag, or in your purse. They’re a staple hygiene product for people of almost all ages, and because they’re packaged for convenience, they’re made to make your life easier. Check out our suggestions for wet wipes to help you stay clean.

Meghan Herlihy Meghan Herlihy
Meghan Herlihy is a full-time writer for LifeSavvy and How-To Geek and has written across a wide variety of topics, genres, and formats, including radio talk shows, local sports journalism, and creative original fiction. She received her bachelor's degree in communications from Ithaca College and a master's in writing from Johns Hopkins University. When she's not writing, you're most likely to find her reading a book, petting every dog within eyesight, and indulging in her love of travel. Read Full Bio »
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