What are Wetwipes

Brought to you by Kiddies and Toys International (pvt), Sole authorized Distributor of Farlin range of baby and mother care products in Sri Lanka

Wet wipes are small moistened paper towels that can be used to cleanse the hands, refresh the face, or commonly to clean up the diaper area when you are changing a baby.

When antibacterial soaps became popular, many wet wipes with antibacterial properties were offered. Generally, these wet wipes contained water, fragrance and alcohol. These do help to more effectively cleanse hands, especially when access to hand-washing apparatus is limited. Alcohol content helps wet wipes fight some viruses as well.

Wet wipes used to clean a baby's bottom are often simply called baby wipes. In most cases, it’s undesirable for these to contain alcohol, since they can cause dryness and irritation to a baby’s skin.

Babies are relatively constant sources of messes of all types, and many moms keep wet wipes handy for quick spit-ups, food spills and the like. Moms may also use antibacterial wet wipes to sanitize grocery carts, restaurant tables, or swings in the playground to reduce the exposure to germs. It’s not a bad idea to pack wet wipes in children’s lunches, so they can cut down on some germ exposure by washing their hands prior to eating.

Antibacterial Wipes

Antibacterial wipes are single-use wipes which are pre-moistened with an antibacterial solution. They typically come packed in a tub or canister which keeps the wipes moist, with a dispenser which allows users to pull out a single wipe at a time.

The antibacterial solution used in antibacterial wipes is designed to kill most bacteria on contact. In the case of wipes used on the body, the solution tends to be more mild, so that it will not damage the skin.

When used properly, antibacterial wipes can be effective at killing the bulk of bacteria on a surface. However, researchers have noted that when the wipes are re-used, utilized on multiple surfaces, or dragged across a long surface, they can actually transfer bacteria. Since the wipes eliminate most bacteria, the remaining bacteria can quickly multiply without any competition, colonizing surfaces which were swiped with the wipe. Ironically, using an antibacterial wipe can actually cause bacteria to spread.

Traditional soap and water can be just as effective, when used on a regular basis. However, antibacterial wipes can be handy for people who are traveling, because they can stand in for a rinse with soap and water when water is not available. It is also possible to find generic cleansing wipes designed for this purpose. Keeping a pack of cleansing wipes, antibacterial or not, in the car or in a diaper bag can be a good idea for people who like to be prepared.