10 of the best chemical-free and eco-friendly baby wipes
Be as kind to nature (and your baby's skin) as you can be with these eco-friendly wipes, tested and recommended by parents
Let’s face it, wet wipes are a convenient, nappy changing essential that we all use on a daily basis. The easy alternative to cotton wool and water, they help with hygiene, and in a pinch, there’s nothing they can’t wipe clean. But as far as nature-friendly baby gear goes, they are about as good for the environment as disposable nappies.
Thankfully, over more recent years, there has been a surge in eco-friendly options when it comes to wipes, making nappy changes as equally gentle to the environment as they are on baby’s bottom.
Using feedback from our MFM testers, we’ve put together the best eco-friendly wipes ranging from biodegradable to reusable options, also covering a wide range of price points.
What to look for when buying eco-friendly wipes
Material – Do you want to opt for bamboo which is natural hypoallergenic? Or perhaps microfibre which is durable and great for absorbing spills?
Fragrance – If your baby has sensitive skin, you may want to opt for wipes that are fragrance free to reduce any potential irritation. If in doubt, you can always test on small area.
Biodegradability – Brands are increasingly offering biodegradable options, but remember this doesn’t mean they can be flushed down the toilet. An in-depth investigation of sewer blockages in the UK, carried out by Water UK in 2017, found that non-flushable wet wipes made up around 90% of the material causing sewer blockages. So it’s important to dispose of them as advised on the packaging.
Reusability – If you want to take things a step further in tackling your carbon footprint you can also opt for reusable wipes. Many now come with additional accessories like soaking solution and laundry bags to ensure clean-up duty is as painless as possible. Though it’s worth keeping in mind they will add to your laundry pile.
Cost – Prices can vary from under £1 to up to £4 or £5, but it’s worth looking at bulk buy offers once you find a brand that works for you and your baby. Reusable options may have a high initial cost, but in the long run you won’t have to worry about repurchasing as often.
Ease of use – Can you open the pack one-handed? Can you grab one at a time or do lots come out at once? These are important factors to consider when changing a wriggly baby or toddler.
Here’s our pick of the best eco-friendly baby wipes:
1. Jackson Reece Kinder by Nature, £2 for 56
– Best for sustainability credentials
Award: Silver – Biodegradable/eco-friendly wet wipes, MadeForMums Awards 2021
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: No
PH-balanced, hypoallergenic and dermatologically-approved, these unscented baby wipes are extremely kind to skin.
They are 99% derived from renewable, vegetable or plant extracts, are biodegradable, compostable and chlorine-free, fragrance-free. Add ‘Made in the UK’ and ‘not tested on animals’ to the list, and their eco credentials are impressive indeed.
Our testers found they could be a bit tricky to get out of the pack, but they’re lovely and gentle on baby’s skin. MFM tester Amanda rated their durability highly and said, “Good for poo explosions as they seem to get a lot of 'wipability' per wipe.”
Available from: Amazon, Boots and Waitrose
2. Aldi Mamia Biodegradable Baby Wipes, 89p for 60
– Best low-cost, sturdy wipes
Award: Gold – Biodegradable/eco-friendly wet wipes, MadeForMums Awards 2021
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: Yes
These budget-friendly wipes won over testers thanks to their ability to tackle tough messes. Though not as soft as some of the others tested, they are strong and are just as suitable for highchairs as they are for mucky faces, hands and dirty bottoms.
The wipes are made from 99.4% water and are hypoallergenic. As an added bonus they are plastic-free, biodegradable and come wrapped in recyclable packaging making them just as kind to the environment as they are to babies’ bottoms.
MFM tester Terri says, “They work really well and have made me go out and buy more, they are that good! Good for parents who are wanting to use more environmentally friendly products but not wanting to use reusable wipes.”
Available from: Aldi
3. Little Gubbins Reusable Baby Wipes, £11.99 for 20
– Best for mealtimes
Type: Reusable | Suitable for newborns: Yes
These reusable baby wipes are soft, absorbent and an eco-friendly alternative to using disposable wet wipes. Unfortunately, they’re not recommended for nappy changing, but are ideal for cleaning hands and faces after a messy dinner and at 20cm by 20cm they’re the perfect size for this task.
Made of microfibre, they’re more absorbent than cotton and they also dry quickly too. It’s also good to know that they contain no dyes or chemicals, so are gentle on sensitive skin.
MFM reviewer Rebecca said, “These wipes are effective at wiping hands and faces and because they are microfibre, they can clean up spillages with ease. I find them much better at wiping than disposable wipes, and the baby doesn’t protest as much either.”
Available from: Amazon
4. Aqua Wipes, £2.70 for 64
– Best for thickness and moisture
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: Yes
These NHS-approved baby wipes are suitable to use from birth and we love the fact they’re soft and strong, with good water content. Our testers were pleased with the lovely, clean scent and the way they retain moistures a few weeks after opening.
They’re vegan-friendly and contain 99.6% purified water along with organic aloe vera and a mild coconut cleansing agent.
One thing to note is that they are more expensive than other biodegradable wipes, however their thickness and feel were plus points for many.
MFM tester Aleena said, “These wipes are excellent – super soft, moist, large enough to clean a baby’s bottom and with a fresh smell. When cleaning skin, you feel satisfied there is enough water present to give your baby’s bottom a good clean when you have no water present."
Available from: Amazon, Ocado and Boots
5. Cheeky Wipes Reusable Cloth Baby Wipes - All-In-One Kit, from £41.95 for 25 wipes plus accessories
– Best reusable wipes for nappy changing
Type: Reusable | Suitable for newborns: Yes
If you’re looking for a reusable solution to baby messes and nappy changes, this is a good pick. The Cheeky wipes set comes with 25 reusable cloths, fresh essential oil baby wipes soaking solution, mucky essential oil baby wipes soaking solution, 2 containers (one for your set of wipes designated to nappy change, the other for more general messes), 2 ‘out and about’ travel bags and a laundry bag
To get the most out of these wipes fill up either container with cold water and add a few drops of the essential oil. Drop the cloths into the mix and turn until the water has been absorbed. Once done, the wipes are ready to use.
We loved the great quality feel of the material and the reusable aspect means they should last a long time, saving parents the trouble of shelling out on multiple purchases when it comes to wipes. They are machine washable at between 30-60° and according to MFM tester Kaye, the instructions couldn’t be simpler. “Easy to use, straight forward instructions,” said Kaye, “and just bang them in the washing machine at the end of the day.”
However, MFM tester Nancy advised perspective buyers to “consider the additional cost of water, laundry detergent and laundry bills as they will need to be washed frequently.”
Available from: Amazon and Cheeky wipes
6. Lupilu Biodegradable Pure Water Wipes, 65p for 60
– Best bargain wipes
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: Yes
Environmentally friendly from packaging to wipes, Lid's bargain wipes really impressed our panel. They are completely biodegradable which makes them a good pick for the eco-conscious parent on a budget. Their promise to be mild and gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin proved true with our testers who found them kind to baby’s skin thanks in part to the aloe vera and cotton seed extract in its ingredients.
MFM tester, Emily, was among those who found it fit for baby’s bottom and admitted, “My baby likes these wipes. They’re gentle enough for everyday use and excellent value for money.”
Some testers wished the wipes were a little wetter and struggled when removing them from the pack but all agreed they were good value for money.
Available from: Lidl
7. My Happy Planet 100% Biodegradable Plastic-free Eco Wipes, £25.45 for a pack of 12 (720 wipes)
– Best for sensitive skin
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: No
Much like Lupilu, these wipes are 100% biodegradable and come in recycled packaging too. Their price point is slightly dearer but many testers were happy to pay a little more for the quality feel and ease of use.
Our testers loved the effectiveness of these wipes which were wet enough to wipe up messes and clean bottoms without having to use an extensive amount. They have an impressive shelf life, with the wipes retaining their moisture for up to 3 months after opening, and were favoured for their thickness and soft feel.
“The wipes are surprisingly wet even though they have less preservatives in them than other wipes, which means mess is wiped up quickly and easily without the need to scrub or re-wipe,” said MFM tester Hannah. MFM Awards judge Sabrina also added they “felt smoothest and softest,” of those tested.
Parent’s will be pleased to know that they are Allergy UK approved, so will take care of your little one’s delicate skin.
Available from: Amazon and My Happy Planet
8. The Cheeky Panda Biodegradable Bamboo Baby Wipes, £2.99 for 60
– Best for durability
Award: Joint gold – Biodegradable/eco-friendly wet wipes, MadeForMums Awards 2021
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: Yes
Thick, soft and durable were the words our testers used to describe these quality wipes. Serving as a multipurpose product, the wipes were “easy to wipe down surfaces, clothes and baby,” said MFM tester Louise.
Parents don’t have to choose between an eco-friendly product and quality because with these wipes you get both. According to another MFM tester, Kirsty, “They are very thick and durable, this is the quality that most biodegradable wipes lack. It makes cleaning up after dirty nappies much easier and less need to double up and waste wipes. They appear to be very sensitive as I’ve used them on my baby’s bottom and face with no reaction.”
The wipes are made from eco-friendly bamboo, so are naturally hypoallergenic and are made from 99% purified water. They also have the added bonus of being vegan certified and cruelty free.
The packaging is sturdy and the wipes maintain their moisture well but they are quite pricey compared to others on the market.
Available from: Amazon, Boots and Cheeky Panda
9. CannyMum Bamboo Luxurious Dry Wipes, £12.95 for 200
– Best for softness
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: Yes | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: No (when used with water)
These CannyMum dry wipes are aimed at those who prefer to avoid preservatives, synthetic fragrances and artificial cleansing solutions.
You can choose between using them as dry wipes or use them to make your own wet wipes at home, by adding pure water, your own herbal infusions or other ingredients. They are chemical-free and made of 100% biodegradable bamboo fibre, while conventional wet wipes are often made of non-degradable polyester.
MFM tester Christy said, ““These wipes are slightly larger than standard wet wipes, which is a bonus when you’re dealing with a wriggly toddler or particularly mucky nappy change. They are beautifully soft, which is especially nice when you’re using them on a nappy rash or to wipe a little face.”
She found they were a better alternative to cotton wool and water, but commented that they’d be better to use at home rather than on the go, as you need water access to turn them into wet wipes.
Available from: Amazon
10. Kandoo Sensitive Toddler Wipes, £23.99 for a pack of 12 (600 wipes)
– Best for big kids
Award: Bronze – Biodegradable/eco-friendly wet wipes, MadeForMums Awards 2021
Type: Disposable | Suitable for newborns: No | Biodegradable: Yes | Scented: Yes
Kandoo wipes are perfect for giving your child the big-kid confidence they need to help them on their way to bathroom independence. Despite their slightly dearer price, testers were willing to shell out a little bit extra with MFM tester, Louise, stating, “They are expensive but personally I think worth the money. They’re very handy to have for little ones wanting to be fully independent when toileting. Helps to ensure cleanliness much more so than regular toilet paper.”
The wipes are suitable for all ages including babies and are made from 100% plant based cellulose material, are plastic free and biodegradable in water.
Another MFM tester Caroline praised the wipes for their “good quality” adding that they were “thick without the usual sickly scent. The wipes are strong and will not disintegrate in your hand when using them.”
We loved their gentle aroma but be aware, some found that dispensing the wipes was difficult which meant they often removed more from the pack than intended, which could lead to waste if not careful.
Available from: Amazon, Ocado and Waitrose
About the author
Janet is a qualified journalist with years of experience in consumer testing, including over 6 years at Good Housekeeping. During her time there she tested everything from household products to food, and is now freelance journalist who continues to put the consumer at the heart of her work.
As well as being knee-deep in the world of journalism Janet is also a mum to a wildly vivacious teenage daughter which keeps life interesting. When she’s not working or mothering the journalist likes to dabble in teen fiction too.
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