What's really in cleaning wipes? (And why ours are dry)

Flip a pack of wet cleaning wipes over and the ingredient list can run long. Here's what those ingredients usually do, how to read any compost claim on the pack, and why we went the other way with a dry wipe.

What's in a typical wet cleaning wipe?

Most wet wipes are built from the same handful of parts:

• The sheet (substrate): the wipe itself. Often polyester or polypropylene, sometimes plant fibres like viscose or cotton, sometimes a blend.
• Water: usually most of the liquid.
• Surfactants: the cleaning agents that help lift grease and grime.
• Preservatives: a damp wipe sits in a pack for months, so it needs something to stop mould and bacteria growing in the liquid.
• Humectants: ingredients like glycerin that stop the wipe drying out.
• pH adjusters: often citric or lactic acid.
• Fragrance: optional, and purely for scent.
• Disinfectant actives: only in wipes that make germ-killing claims.

None of this is unusual. It's simply what it takes to keep a wet product stable on the shelf. If you have sensitive skin or prefer fewer ingredients, the label is where you check.

The sheet matters most for plastic

If you're trying to avoid plastic, look at what the sheet is made from. Polyester and polypropylene are plastics. Some wipes blend plant fibre with a little synthetic fibre for strength, so read the material line, not just the front of the pack.

Reading compost claims on a wipe pack

"Biodegradable" and "compostable" get used loosely. A few pointers:

• "Biodegradable" on its own doesn't tell you how long, or under what conditions.
• "Compostable" should point to a standard. In Australia, AS 5810 covers home composting and AS 4736 covers industrial composting. Learn more in AS 4736 vs AS 5810.
• Look for the certification scheme named on the pack, and check any claim matches how you'll actually dispose of the wipe.
• Never flush a wipe, whatever the label says.

The ACCC expects environmental claims to be clear, accurate and backed up, so a vague claim with nothing behind it is worth questioning.

Our approach: a dry wipe, nothing added

ZERO Cleaning Wipes skip the liquid entirely. They're dry wipes made from timber viscose, a plant-based fibre made from wood pulp sourced from FSC- and PEFC-certified forests. No synthetic fibres in the sheet, and because there's no liquid in the pack, there's nothing that needs a preservative and no fragrance.

• Use them dry for dusting.
• Add water for everyday wiping.
• Add your usual cleaner when the job needs it, so you choose what goes on the surface.
• Rinse and reuse. They're reusable.

The same timber viscose material is used in our Baby Wipes and Makeup Wipes, which are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Class 1 certified. That means the material has been tested for harmful substances, and Class 1 is the strictest class, set for baby articles.

To be clear: ZERO Cleaning Wipes are cleaning wipes, not disinfectants, and we don't make a compost claim for them. Want to know why we chose wood pulp? Read why wood pulp.

A simple swap list

• Quick wipe-downs: ZERO Cleaning Wipes, from $2.99.
• Everyday wiping and spills: ZERO Reusable Cleaning Cloths.
• Cafes and commercial kitchens: the ZERO Commercial Cleaning Cloth, designed with chefs.
• Everything together: the Ultimate Cleaning Bundle.

FAQ

What are ZERO Cleaning Wipes made from?

Timber viscose, a plant-based fibre made from wood pulp.

Do ZERO Cleaning Wipes contain preservatives or fragrance?

No. They're dry, so there's no liquid that needs a preservative, and no fragrance is added.

Can I compost ZERO Cleaning Wipes?

We don't make a compost claim for our wipes. Rinse and reuse them, and dispose of them in general waste when they're worn out.

Do they disinfect?

No. They clean. Use a disinfectant product when a job calls for one.