When it comes to going home with your new baby, baby wipes are an essential piece of kit you'll want to stock up on. They are not the most eco-friendly tools to use, though, so biodegradable baby wipes may be your best bet if you want to stay safe and green for your child.
Why biodegradable baby wipes?
Standard wipes can be bad for the environment if they're not biodegradable. Many will end up rotting in landfills. Nowadays, we know of the hazardous effects of waste on a global scale. So, with baby wipes being used so frequently by mums all over the world, there needed to be a better eco-friendly option.
Enter: biodegradable baby wipes. These green wipes mean that wipes are not only soft and safe for your child but will also break down into smaller parts years down the line, making waste a lot less.
Which baby wipes are biodegradable?
Most biodegradable wipes will have a little symbol or sign saying that they're 100 per cent biodegradable. This usually comes alongside other symbols like plant-based or 100 per cent recyclable (although not always, so make sure you look for it).
Many familiar brands have launched biodegradable wipes, including Mum + You, Aqua Wipes, Bamboo Nature, The Cheeky Panda, and even Amazon have their own biodegradable wipes.
We've hunted down the best biodegradable wipes you can get on the market right now. Just take a peek below.
Best for being strong and fragrance-free
These Mum & You biodegradable wipes were shortlisted in our Mother&Baby Awards 2022 and are known for their hypoallergenic formula, perfect for sensitive skin. Our Mum testers particularly loved that they were plastic-free and plant-based, making them a very eco-friendly option.
One of our mum testers said: "We have previously used biodegradable wipes before and they always rip, but these are thick and are actually wet and aren't bone dry like some wipes so you're not having to use a lot of them. I only use one maybe two wipes a nappy and that's more than enough!"
Read our full review of Mum + You Biodegradable Baby Wipes here.
Pros
- Plant-based
- Plastic-free
Cons
- Not easy to get hold of
Best for being made with purified water and organic Aloe Vera
These Aqua Wipes are another classic M&B winner, having won Bronze at the Mother&Baby Awards 2020. They're made out of 99.5 per cent purified water and are also plastic-free. Mum testers had fun with these ones because they were paraben-free, perfume-free and super moist - a great baby wipe for your loved one.
One of our mum testers said: "These wipes are great, lovely quality and so much better for the environment than standard baby wipes. I found the wipes a good level of wetness I would say these are water than most supermarket wipes which helped with clean ups however they are not too wet which I have found some other eco wipes to be."
Read our full review of Aqua Wipes 100% Biodegradable Plastic Free Baby Wipes here.
Pros
- Formulation uses organic Aloe Vera
Cons
- Some parents wished they dried more quickly after use
Best for responsibly sourced ingredients
With completely plant-derived, vegan ingredients and no perfumes, this is a great option for sensitive skin. You'll be getting the most from your baby wipe without the harsh chemicals. Both are environmentally friendly and perfect for sensitive skin.
One of our mum testers said: "My son has very sensitive skin so we tend to only use water with reusable wipes but when out and bout I find this is difficult and prefer to use wet wipes. However there are very few options that are suitable for sensitive skin but also eco friendly. It is great to have found biodegradable wipes that are both environmentally friendly and suitable for sensitive skin as my son did not react to them."
Read our full review of Bambo Nature 100% biodegradable wipes here.
Pros
- Made from natural and organic plant-derived ingredients
Cons
- Not as many in a packet compared to others
Best for sensitive skin
The Cheeky Panda is a well-known eco-friendly brand, and now you parents can get your hands on their biodegradable bamboo wipes. Made with bamboo fibres, they're sustainable and also kind to the planet. The Cheeky Panda donate part of every pack to help rainforests all around the world.
Customer review: "I recently tried The Cheeky Panda wipes and I have to say, I'm converted. These wipes are absolutely wonderful. They're great for sensitive skin, plus they're also biodegradable, making them a more eco-friendly choice. What's not to love!"
Pros
- Made with FSC-approved bamboo fibres
Cons
- Some reviewers find they were a bit difficult to take out of the packet
Best for eczema-prone skin and allergy sufferers
These WaterWipes - made with 100 per cent water, are made with purity in mind, with unscented ingredients, these are made for sensitive skin. WaterWipes are also a hugely popular brand for many parents out there, so you know you're getting trusted products.
Customer review: "I love these wipes, they do not have any chemicals, I used to use another make but I realised that it was too hard on my son's skin so I switched to these and I have never had second thoughts. They contain mostly water, no scent which is fine for me. They are the most natural product I have come across so definitely recommended for your little ones!"
Pros
- Contains just two ingredients: purified water and a drop of fruit extract
Cons
- Some parents had difficulty getting one wipe at a time out of the packet
Best for being tested and approved by dermatologists
Wipes made from biodegradable plant fibres, these Kit & Kin are another eco-friendly option for you to choose. Dermatologist approved, they're slightly thinner than other baby wipes but still a good choice, made from 99 per cent water.
Customer review: "Bought for my daughter, she was impressed with quality used on baby and asked for me to get some more. She said she also used big name brands and found these to be better. Very happy.
Pros
- Packaging is made from 50 per cent recycled materials
Cons
- Some parent reviews mention they have a slight smell that they weren't keen on
Did you know Amazon have their own baby brand? Their Ultra Sensitive Mama Bear baby wipes are both made with sensitive skin in mind as well as being biodegradable. You can stock up easily on these, making parent life super easy.
One of our mum testers said: "The wipes are of good quality and thick enough to clear up big messes! The wipes don't break apart or tear while using them. The packet is easy to use one handed the wipes come out individually instead of all together like other brands. The wipes didn't cause any irritation to baby's skin despite being lightly fragranced."
Read our full review of Mama Bear Ultra Sensitive Baby Wipes here.
Pros
- Contains Aloe Vera, chamomile and cotton seed extract
Cons
- One of our parent testers wished they were a little wetter
If you want something more herbal and made from plants, these Kinder by Nature wipes are made from organic aloe vera and chamomile. You won't have to worry about them biodegrading in landfill because these are compostable in just 60 days.
Customer review: "I'm very happy with these wipes and will continue to use these from now on. My baby had red sore spots in the nappy area, but since swapping to these wipes it all disappeared and he is rash-free and redness-free. Brilliant wipes! Wished I had these with my first child too. The packaging is also entirely recyclable so there's no downside here. Strongly recommended!"
Pros
- 100 per cent recyclable packaging, right down to the label
Cons
- Some reviews mention they are hard to remove with one hand
Best plant biodegradable baby wipes
My Happy Planet are ticking everything off with these pure, 100 per cent biodegradable baby wipes. Breaking down in as little as 28 days, these are also allergy friendly for those sensitive skins out there.
Customer review: "I use these everyday. Water-based (so good on skin) and biodegradable. They also retain their moisture even when the packet has been open for quite a while."
Pros
- Fragrance, alcohol and cruelty-free, suitable for vegans
Cons
- Some reviews mention they can tear easily
Best organic cotton baby wipes
If organic is important to you, these Rawganic baby wipes are made out of organic cotton, making them super soft as well as being fragrance-free. Reviewers love that they hold their moisture really well for baby wipes.
Customer review: "I find a lot of wipes too dry, these were quite the opposite and biodegradable to boot. Really pleased."
Pros
- Made using 100 per cent organic cotton
Cons
- Some reviewers wished they were bigger in size
FAQs
Can biodegradable wipes be flushed down the toilet?
Although we wouldn't recommend flushing baby wipes down the toilet, some biodegradable ones can be flushed away. That will make cleaning up extra easy. Make sure to double-check before you start to clog up your drains, though.
How long does it take for wipes to break down?
Standard baby wipes can take up to 100 years to completely decompose in a landfill, which isn't great for the planet. How long biodegradable wipes take to break down can vary between brands. Some take just 28 days, but typically they take between three to six months in the right conditions.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.