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Wipes (yikes)

(54 Posts)
Grannyknot Sun 05-Apr-15 23:06:49

My husband rather drily remarked the other day that we're doing our bit by carrying shoppers instead of using plastic carrier bags, but on the other hand we (me) use wipes without a second thought. I did a quick tally. I have wipes for the kitchen, for floors, for my hands, for my face, for my specs, for my screens blush ...

They're just so convenient. But I guess they do not biodegrade. Now I feel guilty! Am I an over-user of wipes?

rubysong Mon 06-Apr-15 17:03:26

Regarding cloths for bathroom use my mantra is ' pink for the sink and blue for the loo' this avoids cross contamination. Now I need a colour to rhyme with floor. They can all go in a hot wash now and again.

Katek Mon 06-Apr-15 17:21:12

I don't use many wipes but do keep a packet of baby wipes in the house. I use them for make up removal mainly but they are useful for other things. DH has those little spec wipes and leaves a trail of the little packets and used wipes behind hm!!

granjura Mon 06-Apr-15 21:49:17

Must say I hate the thought of cleaning the loo with a cloth- even if hot washed often. I use loo paper to wipe off the vinegar I spray on it- and flush it down the loo.

J52 Tue 07-Apr-15 07:20:57

I wash my spectacles to clean them. Am I alone in this? DH uses the wipes! x

vampirequeen Tue 07-Apr-15 07:58:11

I have a packet of baby wipes and hand gel in the car plus more gel in my handbag and camera case.

tiggypiro Tue 07-Apr-15 08:29:56

I too wash my specs J52 and I don't have any wipes in the house except when DD and DGS's come and then they are only used for nappy changes. I do use them when travelling as there are often no hygienic washing facilities in what often passes for a loo (think China and India here !). They do leave a rather sticky feel on the hands though but preferably to what else may be there.

Lona Tue 07-Apr-15 08:53:10

I wash my specs too, much cleaner than wipes. I do use make up remover wipes and 'bottom wipes' when dgd comes, but never flush them.

felice Tue 07-Apr-15 12:05:47

We have real problems in our Church here with blocked toilets and drains. The Church is used by many different groups and we have been amazed at what people try to flush down the toilets, disposable nappies and sanitary towels being regular culprits. We have large signs in various languages in the toilets to no avail.
Another problem is people emptying the large coffee machines into the sink complete with grounds, also teabags forced down the sink.
Sometimes you wonder what they do at home ???????

Tegan Tue 07-Apr-15 12:55:55

I'd read that coffee grounds are good for getting rid of the fat in drains; should I put them in the compost stuff? [must point out that it isn't very often and the quantity isn't great].

felice Tue 07-Apr-15 16:54:01

I do not know about being good for fat in the drains but the grounds used for 120/150 people put down the sink are not good for the drains in our 90 year old Church.

JessM Tue 07-Apr-15 17:21:44

Yes Grannyknot I think you are an over-user of wipes.

Here's why I never buy the darn things:
They contain plastics - made from oil, a non renewable resource. Same with the containers they come in.
A cotton cloth on the other had comes from a renewable source and can be re-used hundreds of times.
The liquids in them contain all manner of chemicals (some probably made from oil) If "antibacterial" they contain triclosan - jury still out on its long term effects on humans and the environment.
Yes they do block drains and increase costs to water companies (and there fore may increase your bills)
They are a deliberate ploy by multinationals (2 big ones) to convince us we need to buy all manner of expensive and non- renewable cleaning products.
Cotton cloths also last a lot longer than the cousin of the wipe - the J cloth. (why the heck to they exist when we have washing machines)
I do use some kitchen paper but buy the cheap kind (just paper) rather than the expensive "wet strength" ones which again contain plastics. I also have lots of cheap tea towels that I use to mop up spills etc etc. Get through 2/3 in the kitchen a day - a lot more economical and eco-friendly than wipes and fancy kitchen paper.

Grannyknot Tue 07-Apr-15 20:25:44

jess and everyone, I hang my head in shame and will ditch the wipes. I had no idea about the plastics in most of them.

When I think how "plastic" was heralded when it first came on the scene - it seems to be nuttin' but trouble.

rosesarered Tue 07-Apr-15 22:52:03

Hand wipes for being out and about are great, so are wipes to clean the loo seat.Baby wipes are needed for DGC when they visit, and as somebody has said are useful for all sorts of things, like make up spillage from pine furniture! Cleansing wipes are good for the face at night time, but as they contain oil, I then use a toner as well, otherwise you get spots.All these wipes go in the general rubbish to be incinerated.

rosesarered Tue 07-Apr-15 22:53:19

Let's not get too moralistic about using wipes......... They can be very useful at times.

Deedaa Tue 07-Apr-15 22:54:36

DD has used re usable nappies for both her babies and this time she found that one of the firms supplying them also sell re usable wipes - small squares of towelling that can be washed with the nappies. With a little soap and warm water they clean a poopy bottom far better than any of the wipes. They came with different patterns so she could keep wipes for bottom and face seperate.

JessM Wed 08-Apr-15 07:27:37

Grannyknot grin

face wipes? Use a wet flannel without soap. If you want to degrease your face, use something with a solvent in it on the flannel, wash the flannel every day or two.

granjura Wed 08-Apr-15 19:13:57

rosesarered- come on, be totally honest, do you really use wet wipes for wiping the loo then put them in the bin?

What is wrong with taking a few WC roll leaves and damp them, or use them to wipe cleaner?

rosesarered Wed 08-Apr-15 19:20:09

Yes, Granjura, I really do.we have problem drainage, so nothing goes down the loo other than loo paper, and the non quilted type too.The wipes are anti-bacterial and leave a pleasant scent, why NOT use them?

granjura Wed 08-Apr-15 19:33:50

Thanks, I am impressed. Why not- why yes? I find a few leaves of wc paper with vinegar does the job very well. Wipes are not a problem here where I live as we ahve no landfill- but even so. I wonder how long wipes take to biodegrade in landfill, any idea?

rosesarered Wed 08-Apr-15 19:40:49

I don't keep vinegar in my bathroom. the wipes are always in there though.

rosesarered Wed 08-Apr-15 19:42:44

No idea about landfill, our rubbish is incinerated.

granjura Wed 08-Apr-15 19:44:13

LOL, habits can be changed no. I never used to keep vinegar in the bathroom but I do now, as it works so well. Brilliant with limescale too.
This is just a discussion btw- we can agree to disagree- we can also try and look at facts honestly and see if we can change for the better- all of us, me too- nought wrong with that, is there? Vinegar is great.

granjura Wed 08-Apr-15 19:45:10

Incinerated, in the UK? That is truly interesting, do you have a link? Or do you live abroad? Thanks.

rosesarered Wed 08-Apr-15 19:50:33

Of course it's just a discussion, what else could it be?There are those who never use any wipes at all, some who use all kinds, and some who use a few, it hardly matters.If they are disposed of properly, they are useful items.I can't bear the smell of vinegar, so would never use it for anything.
The most important thing to get sorted out in the towns and cities are the fat bergs, from all the fast food outlets etc.clogging the sewers.

J52 Wed 08-Apr-15 19:55:14

Distilled White vinegar is great for cleaning. I even cleaned a soot stained sandstone tiled grate with it. The smell went in 30 mins and a spray of fe breeze! x