Personal hygiene and sanitation are important even when a person is travelling. However, in such scenarios, water may not be readily available for cleansing purposes.
Therefore, wipes come to the rescue. Several different types of wipes are available in the market today. Each type caters to the needs of specific age groups.
Baby wipes and flushable wipes are two popular types of wipes. While they may seem similar, there are distinct features among the two.
Baby Wipes vs Flushable Wipes
The difference between baby wipes and flushable wipes is that baby wipes are non-flushable wipes. On the other hand, flushable wipes made from plant based non woven fibres are flushable and do not clog the sewers.
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Baby wipes are specially designed for sensitive baby skin. Over the years, they have become increasingly popular with a rise in awareness of the maintenance of personal hygiene of infants.
Baby wipes are pivotal to preventing any diaper rashes. In addition, the use of baby wipes helps in the maintenance of the normal ph level of the baby. Baby wipes may be used for cleansing the baby’s face, arms, or legs as well.
Flushable wipes refer to wipes that are made to be easily flushed and do not clog the sewer system. Flushable wipes are generally more sturdy than toilet paper.
Moreover, the moisture present in flushable wipes allows individuals to maintain their hygiene. However, not all flushable wipes may be flushable. Consequently, they often clog the drains and sewers.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Baby Wipes | Flushable Wipes |
|---|---|---|
| Target Age | Baby wipes are usually meant for infants and toddlers. | Flushable wipes are generally meant for children and older people. |
| Type | Baby wipes are generally not flushable. | Flushable wipes, as indicated by name, can be flushed. |
| Alcohol | Baby wipes are alcohol free. | Flushable wipes usually have mild disinfectant like isopropyl alcohol. |
| Size | Baby wipes are smaller than flushable wipes. | Flushable wipes are larger than baby wipes. |
| Composition | Baby wipes are usually made from cloth or plastic. | Flushable wipes are made from plant-based non woven fibres. |
What are Baby Wipes?
Baby wipes are moistened pieces of cloth or plastic that usually range from medium to large sizes. Baby wipes may come in individual packaging for convenience.
However, baby wipes may come in the form of a roll that has individual wipes that can be torn off. The main purpose of baby wipes is to cleanse the sensitive skin of infants.
The composition of baby wipes ranges from gentle cleansing ingredients to alcohol-based ingredients. Baby wipes usually come in different packs and sizes.
A usual baby wipe packet contains up to 80 wipes. Additionally, baby wipes come with dispensing mechanisms.
It is speculated that baby wipes originated in the mid-1950s primarily because people wanted cleansing wipes for travelling purposes.
Nice-Pak is one of the first companies that produced baby wipes. Parents who wish to opt for environment-friendly and budget-friendly baby wipes opt for washable wipes.
Moreover, some parents often choose to use baby wipes made from cloth because they are more effective at cleaning solids from the skin as compared to the commercial one using baby wipes.
Some famous baby wipe brands are Himalaya Gentle Baby Wipes, Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Wipes, Pampers Fresh Clean Baby Wipes, Mee Mee Caring Baby Wet Wipes, and Mamaearth Indias First Organic
Bamboo Based Baby Wipes.
Baby wipes are important to ensure that mess from dirty diapers does not hamper the normal Ph balance of an infant.
What are Flushable Wipes?
Flushable wipes refer to those wipes made from plant-based non-woven fibres. A prominent feature of these flushable wipes is that they can break down in the sewer system.
Although flushable wipes are advertised as easy going down the sewer, this may not always be the case. Usually, wipes made out of plastic and other synthetic fibres are non-flushable.
The texture of one type of flushable wipe usually differs from another. For instance, while one brand of flushable wipes may offer soft and cloth-like wipes, others may offer wipes that are easily tearable.
Some brands may manufacture stretchable wipes. Yet some others may have a light texture that provides a more effective scrub. Thus, individuals have many options to choose from.
There are a variety of features offered by flushable wipes. Firstly, flushable wipes may be scented or unscented. Some people prefer wipes with a mild scent.
Yet others choose to purchase fragrance-free wipes. Secondly, flushable wipes may contain or not contain alcohol. Therefore, individuals can read the ingredients list to choose the wipes that best suit their skin.
While some flushable wipes may be smooth, others are textured. The texture and dimensions of flushable wipes vary according to the brand and category of the wipes.
In addition, there are multiple package options to choose from. Flushable wipes are often considered an ideal option over toilet paper from a hygiene perspective.
Main Differences Between Baby Wipes and Flushable Wipes
- While baby wipes are free of any harsh chemicals, flushable wipes usually contain cleansers and antibacterials.
- The ingredients in baby wipes are more gentle and mild than those in flushable wipes.
- The size of baby wipes is usually smaller than that of flushable wipes.
- Baby wipes are meant for infants whereas flushable wipes are meant for every other age group except infants and toddlers.
- Popular baby wipes brands are Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Wipes and Pampers Fresh Clean Baby Wipes. In contrast, a popular flushable wipes brand is Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Cleansing Cloths.
- https://nicencleanwipes.com/apps/articles/flushable-wipes-vs-toilet-paper#:~:text=Flushable%20wipes%2C%20also%20called%20moist,a%20replacement%20for%20toilet%20paper.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_wipe#Baby_wipes
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
