Wet wipe

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An individually-wrapped wet wipe Erfrischungstuch.jpg
An individually-wrapped wet wipe
Wet wipes on a shelf Wet wipes on a shelf.jpg
Wet wipes on a shelf

A wet wipe, also known as a wet towel, wet one, moist towelette, disposable wipe, disinfecting wipe, or a baby wipe (in specific circumstances) is a small to medium-sized moistened piece of plastic [1] or cloth that either comes folded and individually wrapped for convenience or, in the case of dispensers, as a large roll with individual wipes that can be torn off. Wet wipes are used for cleaning purposes like personal hygiene and household cleaning; each is a separate product depending on the chemicals added and medical or office cleaning wipes are not intended for skin hygiene. [2]

Contents

In 2013, owing to increasing sales of the product in affluent countries, Consumer Reports reported that efforts to make the wipes "flushable" down the toilet had not entirely succeeded, according to their test. [3]

Invention

American Arthur Julius is seen as the inventor of wet wipes. [4] Julius worked in the cosmetics industry and in 1957, adjusted a soap portioning machine, putting it in a loft in Manhattan. Julius trademarked the name Wet-Nap in 1958, a name for the product that is still being used. After fine tuning his new hand-cleaning aid together with a mechanic, he unveiled his invention at the 1960 National Restaurant Show in Chicago and in 1963 started selling Wet-Nap products to Colonel Harland Sanders to be distributed to customers of Kentucky Fried Chicken. [5]

Production

A wet wipe dispenser Antistaticheskie salfetki.jpg
A wet wipe dispenser

Ninety percent of wet wipes on the market are produced from nonwoven fabrics made of polyester or polypropylene. [6] [ failed verification ]

The material is moistened with water or other liquids (e.g., isopropyl alcohol) depending on the applications. The material may be treated with softeners, lotions, or perfume to adjust the tactile and olfactory properties. Preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone are used to prevent bacterial or fungal growth in the package. The finished wet wipes are folded and put in pocket size package or a box dispenser.

Uses

Wet wipes can serve a number of personal and household purposes. [7] Although marketed primarily for wiping infants' bottoms in diaper changing, it is not uncommon for consumers to also use the product to clean floors, toilet seats, and other surfaces around the home. Parents also use wet wipes, or as they are called for baby care, baby wipes, for wiping up baby vomit and to clean babies' hands and faces. [8]

Baby wipes

Baby wipes are wet wipes used to cleanse the sensitive skin of infants. These are saturated with solutions anywhere from gentle cleansing ingredients to alcohol-based "cleaners". Baby wipes are typically different pack counts (ranging up to 80 or more sheets per pack), and come with dispensing mechanisms. The origin of baby wipes most likely came in the mid-1950s as more people were travelling and needed a way to clean up on the go. One of the first companies to produce these was a company called Nice-Pak. They made napkin sized paper cloth saturated with a scented skin cleanser.

The first wet-wipe products specifically marketed as baby wipes, such as Kimberly-Clark's Huggies wipes and Procter & Gamble's Pampers wipes, appeared on the market in 1990. [9] As the technology to produce wipes matured and became more affordable, smaller brands began to appear. [10] By the 1990s, most super stores like Kmart and Wal-Mart had their own private label brand of wipes made by other manufacturers. After this period there was a boom in the industry and many local brands started manufacturing because of low entry barriers.

In December 2018, a New Zealand company launched the country's first ever wet and baby wipe alternative, the BDÉT Foam Wash.

Toilet wet wipes

Toilet wet wipes are sometimes preferred to standard toilet paper. Many brands sell toilet wet wipes, claiming they are "flushable". However, they do not decompose in septic tanks as they are made of polyester or polypropylene. In 2013 a Consumer Reports article said that none of the leading brands could pass their test. [11]

Personal hygiene

Wet wipes are often included as part of a standard sealed cutlery package offered in restaurants or along with airline meals.

Wet wipes began to be marketed as a luxury alternative to toilet paper by 2005 by companies such as Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble. [12] They are dispensed in the toilets of restaurants, service stations, doctors' offices, and other places with public use.

Wet wipes have also found a use among visitors to outdoor music festivals, particularly those who camp, as an alternative to communal showers.[ citation needed ]

Cleansing pads

Cleansing pads are fiber sponges which have been previously soaked with water, alcohol and other active ingredients for a specific intended use. They are ready to use hygiene products and they are simple and convenient solutions to dispose of dirt or other undesirable elements.

There are different type of cleansing pads offered by the beauty industry: make-up removing pads, anti-spot treatments and anti-acne pads that usually contain salicylic acid, vitamins, menthol and other treatments. [13]

Cleansing pads for preventing infection are usually saturated with alcohol and bundled in sterile packages. Hands and instruments may be disinfected with these pads while treating wounds. Disinfecting cleansing pads are often included in first aid kits for this purpose. Since the outbreak of H1N1 sales of individual impregnated wet wipes and gels in sachets and flowpacks have dramatically increased in the UK following the Government's advice to keep hands and surfaces clean to prevent the spread of germs.

Industrial wipes

Pre-impregnated industrial-strength cleaning wipes with powerful cleaning fluid that cuts through the dirt as the high performance fabric absorbs the residue. Industrial wipes has the ability to clean a vast range of though substances from hands, tools and surfaces, including: grime, grease, oil- and water-based paints and coatings, adhesives, silicone and acrylic sealants, poly foam, epoxy, oil, tar and more. [14]

Pain relief

There are pain relief pads sopping with alcohol and benzocaine. These pads are good for treating minor scrapes, burns, and insect bites. They disinfect the injury and also ease pain and itching.

Pet care

Wet wipes are produced specifically for pet care, for example eye, ear, or dental cleansing pads (with boric acid, potassium chloride, zinc sulfate, sodium borate) for dogs, cats, horses, and birds.

Healthcare

Medical wet wipes are available for various applications. These include alcohol wet wipes, chlorhexidine wipes (for disinfection of surfaces and noninvasive medical devices), and sporicidal wipes. [15] Medical wipes can be used to prevent the spread of pathogens such as norovirus and Clostridioides difficile . [16]

Effect on sewage systems

Water management companies ask people not to flush wet wipes down toilets, as their failure to break apart or dissolve in water can cause sewer blockages known as fatbergs. [17] [18]

Since the mid-2000s, wet wipes such as baby wipes have become more common for use as an alternative to toilet paper in affluent countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This usage has in some cases been encouraged by manufacturers, who have labelled some wet wipe brands as "flushable". Wet wipes, when flushed down the toilet, have been reported to clog internal plumbing, septic systems and public sewer systems. [19] [20] [18] The tendency for fat and wet wipes to cling together allegedly encourages the growth of the problematic obstructions in sewers known as "fatbergs". [21] [22] In addition, some brands of wipes contain alcohol, which can kill bacteria and denature enzymes responsible for breaking down solid waste in septic tanks. [23] In the late 2010s, other alternatives such as gel wipe had also come on to the market. [24] [25]

In 2014, a class action suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against Target Corporation, and Nice-Pak Products Inc. on behalf of consumers in Ohio who purchased Target-brand flushable wipes. The lawsuit alleged the retailer misled consumers by marking the packaging on its Up & Up brand wipes as flushable and safe for sewer and septic systems. The lawsuit also alleged that the products were a public health hazard because they clogged pumps at municipal waste-treatment facilities. [26] Target and Nice-Pak agreed to settle the case in 2018. [27]

In 2015, the city of Wyoming, Minnesota, launched a class action suit against six companies, including Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, and Nice-Pak, alleging they were fraudulently promoting their products as "flushable". [12] [28] The city dropped the lawsuit in 2018 after concluding that the city had not experienced damage to its sewer systems or a rise in maintenance costs. [29] Upon announcement of the withdrawal of the suit, an industry trade group representing the manufacturers of the wipes released a statement that disputed the claims that the products are harmful to sewer systems.

The withdrawal by the City of Wyoming and last year's settlement terms of the Perry litigation corroborate what years of testing and field collection studies have shown: flushable wipes are not causing municipal clogs or increased maintenance. To date, despite sensational headlines, no wastewater operator has offered any public evidence that its maintenance issues are impacted by wipes marketed as 'flushable' and passing the industry assessment tests.

— David Rouse, president of INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (August 2018) [29]

In 2019, the industry body Water UK announced a new standard for flushable wet wipes. Wipes will need to pass rigorous testing in order to gain a new and approved "Fine to Flush" logo. As of January 2019, only one product had been confirmed to meet the standard, although there were about seven others in the process of being tested. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toilet paper</span> Tissue paper for cleaning after defecation or urination

Toilet paper is a tissue paper product primarily used to clean the anus and surrounding region of feces, and to clean the external genitalia and perineal area of urine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberly-Clark</span> American multinational personal care corporation

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is an American multinational consumer goods and personal care corporation that produces mostly paper-based consumer products. The company manufactures sanitary paper products and surgical & medical instruments. Kimberly-Clark brand name products include Kleenex facial tissue, Kotex feminine hygiene products, Cottonelle, Scott and Andrex toilet paper, Wypall utility wipes, KimWipes scientific cleaning wipes and Huggies disposable diapers and baby wipes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flush toilet</span> Toilet that uses water to convey human waste down a pipe

A flush toilet is a toilet that disposes of human waste by collecting it in a bowl and then using the force of water to channel it through a drainpipe to another location for treatment, either nearby or at a communal facility. Flush toilets can be designed for sitting or squatting. Most modern sewage treatment systems are also designed to process specially designed toilet paper, and there is increasing interest for flushable wet wipes. Porcelain is a popular material for these toilets, although public or institutional ones may be metal, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bidet</span> Plumbing fixture or type of sink intended for washing the genitalia and anus of the human body

A bidet is a bowl or receptacle designed to be sat upon in order to wash a person's genitalia, perineum, inner buttocks, and anus. The modern variety has a plumbed-in water supply and a drainage opening, and is thus a plumbing fixture subject to local hygiene regulations. The bidet is designed to promote personal hygiene and is used after defecation, and before and after sexual intercourse. It can also be used to wash feet, with or without filling it up with water. Some people even use bidets to bathe babies or pets. In several European countries, a bidet is now required by law to be present in every bathroom containing a toilet bowl. It was originally located in the bedroom, near the chamber-pot and the marital bed, but in modern times is located near the toilet bowl in the bathroom. Fixtures that combine a toilet seat with a washing facility include the electronic bidet.

A drain cleaner, also known as drainopener, refers to a person, device, or product used to unblock sewer pipes or clear clogged wastewater drains. This term typically applies to chemical, enzymatic, or mechanical tools such as commercial chemical cleaners, plumber’s snakes, drain augers, bio-enzyme solutions, or toilet plungers. In some contexts, it may also refer to a plumber or professional who specializes in drain cleaning and maintenance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toilets in Japan</span>

Toilets in Japan are sometimes designed more elaborately than toilets commonly seen in other developed nations. European toilets occasionally have a separate bidet whilst Japan combines an electronic bidet with the toilet. The current state of the art for Western-style toilets in Japan is the bidet toilet, which as of March 2016 is installed in 81% of Japanese households. In Japan, these bidets are commonly called washlets, a brand name of Toto Ltd., and they may include many advanced features rarely seen outside of Asia. The basic feature set commonly found on washlets consists of anal hygiene, bidet washing, seat warming, and deodorization.

The term cleanser refers to a product that cleans or removes dirt or other substances. A cleanser could be a detergent, and there are many types of cleansers that are produced with a specific objective or focus. For instance, a degreaser or carburetor cleanser used in automotive mechanics for cleaning certain engine and car parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huggies</span> American brand of baby products

Huggies is an American company that sells disposable diapers and baby wipes that is marketed by Kimberly-Clark. Huggies were first test marketed in 1968, then introduced to the public in 1977 to replace the Kimbies brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dettol</span> Brand of antiseptic and cleaning supplies

Dettol is a brand line of products used for disinfection and as an antiseptic. This brand was created with the introduction of Dettol antiseptic liquid in 1933 by the British company Reckitt and Colman. The Dettol brand line has been expanded over the years and now includes products containing many different active ingredients. The name Dettol was invented by Polish scientist Garbold Witnossky.

A grinder pump is a wastewater conveyance device. Waste from water-using household appliances flows through the home’s pipes into the grinder pump’s holding tank. Once the wastewater inside the tank reaches a specific level, the pump will turn on, grind the waste into a fine slurry, and pump it to the central sewer system or septic tank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand sanitizer</span> Alternative to hand washing

Hand sanitizer is a liquid, gel, or foam used to kill viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms on the hands. It can also come in the form of a cream, spray, or wipe. While hand washing with soap and water is generally preferred, hand sanitizer is a convenient alternative in settings where soap and water are unavailable. However, it is less effective against certain pathogens like norovirus and Clostridioides difficile and cannot physically remove harmful chemicals. Improper use, such as wiping off sanitizer before it dries, can also reduce its effectiveness, and some sanitizers with low alcohol concentrations are less effective. Additionally, frequent use of hand sanitizer may disrupt the skin's microbiome and cause dermatitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nonwoven fabric</span> Sheet of fibers

Nonwoven fabric or non-woven fabric is a fabric-like material made from staple fibre (short) and long fibres, bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. The term is used in the textile manufacturing industry to denote fabrics, such as felt, which are neither woven nor knitted. Some non-woven materials lack sufficient strength unless densified or reinforced by a backing. In recent years, non-wovens have become an alternative to polyurethane foam.

Sani-Flush was an American brand of crystal toilet bowl cleaner formerly produced by Reckitt Benckiser. Its main ingredient was sodium bisulfate; it also contained sodium carbonate as well as sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, sodium chloride, fragrance and dye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lysol</span> Cleaning products brand name

Lysol is a brand of American cleaning and disinfecting products distributed by Reckitt, which markets the similar Dettol or Sagrotan in other markets. The line includes liquid solutions for hard and soft surfaces, air treatment, and hand washing. The active ingredient in many Lysol products is benzalkonium chloride, but the active ingredient in the Lysol "Power and Free" line is hydrogen peroxide. Lysol has been used since its invention in the late 19th century as a household and industrial cleaning agent, and previously as a medical disinfectant.

Anal hygiene refers to practices that are performed on the anus to maintain personal hygiene, usually immediately or shortly after defecation. Anal cleansing may also occur while showering or bathing. Post-defecation cleansing is rarely discussed academically, partly due to the social taboo surrounding it. The scientific objective of post-defecation cleansing is to prevent exposure to pathogens.

Personal care products are consumer products which are applied on various external parts of the body such as skin, hair, nails, lips, external genital and anal areas, as well as teeth and mucous membrane of the oral cavity, in order to make them clean, protect them from harmful germs and keep them in good condition. They promote personal hygiene and overall health, well-being and appearance of those body parts. Toiletries form a narrower category of personal care products which are used for basic hygiene and cleanliness as a part of a daily routine. Cosmetic products, in contrast, are used for personal grooming and beautification. Pharmaceutical products are not considered personal care products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatberg</span> Mass of congealed fat in sewers

A fatberg is a rock-like mass of waste matter in a sewer system formed by the combination of flushed non-biodegradable solids with fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits. The handling of FOG waste and the buildup of its deposits are a long-standing problem in waste management, with "fatberg" a more recent neologism. Fatbergs have formed in sewers worldwide, with the rise in usage of disposable cloths. Several prominent examples were discovered in the 2010s in Great Britain, their formation accelerated by aging Victorian sewers. Fatbergs are costly to remove, and they have given rise to public awareness campaigns about flushable waste.

Dude Wipes are a disposable wipe product manufactured by Dude Products, a personal care brand based in Chicago. Dude Wipes was launched in 2012 and received the 2013 Visionary Award at the Vision 2013 Consumer Products Conference.

Gel wipe is a moisturizing gel applied to dry toilet paper for cleaning purposes, like personal hygiene, or to reduce skin irritation from diarrhea. It was developed in the 21st century as an environmentally sensitive alternative to wet wipes.

References

  1. ↑ "War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita". the BBC. 18 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "Flushable Wipes Test | Toilet Paper Reviews - Consumer Reports News". www.consumerreports.org. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Atasağun, Hande G.; Bhat, Gajanan S. (2020). "Advancement in flushable wipes: Modern technologies and characterization". Journal of Industrial Textiles. 49 (6): 722–747. doi:10.1177/1528083718795910. S2CID   139174544.
  4. ↑ "When was the Wet-Nap introduced?".
  5. ↑ Dixler, Hillary (17 June 2016). "A Brief History of the Wet-Nap, Barbecue Sauce's Worst Nightmare".
  6. ↑ Pajda, Aleksandra (7 May 2018). "Did You Know Wet Wipes Are Made with Plastic? This Is Why the UK Wants Them Banned". One Green Planet. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  7. ↑ Rockline, Product line
  8. ↑ Horovitz, Bruce (11 July 2002). "More consumers whip out wet wipes". USA Today . Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  9. ↑ "Historical Journey: An Interactive Timeline". Kimberly-Clark. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "growing technology helped baby wet wipes industries to grow". silksoftindia.com. 14 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Think twice about flushing wet wipes". 27 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2021.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. 1 2 Kessler, Matt (14 October 2016). "Are Wet Wipes Wrecking the World's Sewers?". The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Acne Myths, Etc. - Are Cleansing Pads Good for Acne?".
  14. ↑ "Supplier of Recycled Wiping Cotton rags, Cleaning rags with bag or box of rag wipers cloth". wipermart.com. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  15. ↑ "Healthcare Wipes". 30 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "Clostridium Difficile Prevention - C. Difficile Wipes". Pal International. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  17. ↑ Taylor, Matthew (12 December 2017). "Wet wipes make up 93% of matter causing UK sewer blockages". The Guardian. London.
  18. 1 2 Regan, Alex (4 March 2015). "Wet wipes caused sewage flood in garden", Oxford Mail
  19. ↑ Shaver, Katherine (7 September 2013). 'Flushable' personal wipes clogging sewer systems, utilities say, The Washington Post
  20. ↑ Stradling, Richard (31 May 2009). "'Flushable' wipes blamed for clogging sewage lines", Seattle Times
  21. ↑ "Oxford 'out-of-control fatberg' threatens homes". BBC News . 1 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "Sewer repairs means 14 days of chaos ahead" . Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  23. ↑ Conte, Chris (12 Sep 2013). "Flushable Wipes Creating Messy Septic Issues", Newschannel5.com
  24. ↑ Saat, Siim (25 June 2016). "New Product Development: GEL WIPE by SATU". LinkedIn.
  25. ↑ Kart, Jeff (15 June 2018). "Toilet Paper Gel Cleans Up No. 2 In More Ways Than One". Forbes .
  26. ↑ Cellini, Lorenzo B.; Tycko & Zavareei LLP (18 April 2014). "Class Action Lawsuit Alleges That Target-Brand Flushable Wipes Are Not Suitable for Flushing and Can Clog Pipes and Damage Sewer and Septic Systems". The National Law Review. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  27. ↑ "Target Flushable Wipes Class Action Settlement". topclassactions.com. 7 May 2018.
  28. ↑ ""The most terrible evil": the harm of wet wipes and how to replace them".
  29. 1 2 "City of Wyoming bows out of flushable wipes lawsuit". www.innovationintextiles.com.
  30. ↑ "Wet wipes to get 'Fine to Flush' logo to tackle fatbergs". BBC News. 11 January 2019.
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