The Truth About Wet Wipes
Are Your Wet Wipes Really Flushable?
Wet wipes have been designed for multiple uses such as taking off our makeup, cleaning our babies’ bottoms and even ensuring our intimate areas are clean and feeling fresh.
We know what ingredients are used in the wipes as they available on the packaging, but how do we know if the wipes that we are use are flushable?
Well they’re not but many of us continue to flush wipes down the toilet without giving it a second thought – but we should. We even have brands stating that their wipes are flushable! Yes, wet wipes will flush, but the issue is where do they go after they have disappeared past the U bend in our toilets?
Well the answer is simple; they go into our sewer system and help to create what is known as ‘Fatbergs’ which clog up our sewers and waterways. Non-flushable wet wipes can account for 93% of the materials which cause blockages in the UK waterways.
A fatberg is best described as a congealed mass of non-biodegradable solid matter such as wet wipes, and other substances like cooking oil (fat) which clump together to create a large mass. In 2018 Thames Waterways reported that they removed 30 tonnes of wipes from the London sewers every day.
Many of us assume that because wet wipes are made from what appears to only be cotton that they must be biodegradable, but they aren’t. Wet wipes are non-woven materials which contain hidden plastics and many chemicals to ensure they are strong and do not rip when wet like toilet paper. As a result, they do not meet industry standards. To meet the standard set by Water UK the wipes must pass strict tests which prove that they can break down quickly in the sewer system and do not contain any plastic fibres. Wipes may flush down our toilet with ease but once they enter the sewer system they do not break down or dissolve like toilet paper. Unfortunately, many wipes are being marketed under a range of descriptions such as moist toilet tissue and dispersible wipes.
But you don’t need to stop using wipes all together, make a simple swap to wipes which are plastic free and made from certified organic cotton. This doesn’t mean the wipes are safe to flush but it does mean that they are better for the environment once they have eventually broken down.
At Organ(y)c we ensure that all of our wipes are created from a 100% certified organic cotton cloth, free from bleach, chemicals and plastics. Not only this but we ensure the ingredients used to keep the wipes moist are also certified natural and organic to be gentle on your skin and are suitable for vegans.
Our range of wipes includes our dermatologically tested Sweet Caress Baby Wipes which are made with 100% certified organic cotton and are infused with a gentle formulation containing extracts of chamomile and calendula making them ideal for daily cleansing of sensitive skin. The thick and strong wipes have a refreshing, soothing and moisturising effect on the baby’s skin. The cotton wipes are not only free from plastic but are also free from alcohol, SLS and parabens.
Looking to introduce new makeup wipes to your beauty routine? Swap to our Beauty Facial Wipes, which are formulated with certified organic aloe vera, chamomile and rose to ensure that they gently cleanse and remove make-up from even the most sensitive skin.
Our Intimate Wet Wipes are perfect for carrying in your bag to keep you feeing fresh and clean throughout the day whether you’re on your period or not. They have been created to gently cleanse your vagina and are infused with chamomile extract to neutralise skin irritations and help to reduce inflammations such as itching and burning. Lactic acid and calendula are also infused which help to stabilise the pH balance of your vagina and soothe the skin.
Although our wipes may be better for you and the environment it is important to remember that no wipes should be flushed down your toilet, please dispose of them correctly and pop them in your bin.