In the pursuit of convenient and hygienic modern life, wet wipes have become a necessity for home, office and travelling. However, traditional wet wipes are difficult to degrade due to the material, often resulting in clogged sewers and environmental pollution. In recent years, flushable wipes have become a new favourite for both cleanliness and sustainability, thanks to their ‘ready-to-use, environmentally friendly and harmless’ properties. In this article, we will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the advantages of flushable wipes, applicable scenarios and purchase points, to help you make a more informed choice.
Flushable wipes are made of plant fibres or biodegradable materials, which quickly decompose into tiny fibres when they are exposed to water, avoiding the clogging of pipes caused by chemical fibre components in traditional wipes. The quality of the product has been tested by authoritative organisations and can be initially dispersed within 30 seconds, which significantly reduces the maintenance costs of household drainage systems.
Conventional wipes contain plastics that take hundreds of years to degrade. Flushable wipes use biodegradable technology to shorten the life cycle to a few months, reducing plastic pollution and lowering the carbon footprint of the production process. Some brands even use recyclable packaging to fulfil the whole life cycle environmental protection concept.
From household cleaning (kitchen grease, bathroom water stains) to personal care (make-up removal, menstrual cleansing), from mother and baby use (baby bum care) to outdoor scenarios (camping and portable cleaning), dispersible wipes can meet diversified needs thanks to their gentle formula and strong texture.
Choose products that have passed international certifications such as OK Compost and DIN CERTCO to ensure material safety and degradability. For domestic brands, pay attention to the ‘dispersibility’ test report, such as the T/CNTAC 55-2020 standard.
Give preference to formulas without alcohol and fluorescents, especially those for mothers and babies that have passed skin sensitivity tests. Weak or neutral pH values are better suited to human skin and reduce the risk of irritation.
Cut open the wipes and observe the fibre structure. A good quality product should have fine, uniform plant fibres. Simple experiment: Tear up the wipes and put them in the water for stirring, rapid dispersion and no obvious residue is qualified.
The disposable wipes market is expected to exceed $5 billion by 2025 as environmental awareness rises. Brands are accelerating technology iteration, launching new instant and compostable products, and exploring cooperation with sewage treatment plants to further optimise the degradation process. With every choice consumers make, they are helping to reduce the burden on the planet.