Plastic-free cleaning wipes: what to look for

Lots of cleaning wipes look like paper but are made from synthetic fibres such as polyester or polypropylene. If you want a wipe without the plastic, the material is the first thing to check. Here's what to look for, and how ours work.

What are cleaning wipes made from?

A wipe is two things: the sheet (the substrate) and, for wet wipes, the liquid it's soaked in.

• Synthetic sheets: polyester and polypropylene nonwovens are common because they're cheap and strong. They're plastics.
• Blends: some wipes mix plant fibre with synthetic fibre for strength, so "plant-based" on the front doesn't always mean plastic-free.
• Plant fibre sheets: viscose (from wood pulp), cotton or lyocell.

Wet wipes also contain water plus cleaning agents, and usually a preservative to keep the liquid stable in the pack, plus fragrance in many cases.

How to read a wipe label

• Find the material. Look for the fibre named clearly. Polyester, polypropylene or "synthetic binder" means plastic is in there.
• Read the ingredient list on wet wipes, including preservatives and fragrance.
• Check any environmental claim. A vague "eco" or "biodegradable" with nothing behind it is worth questioning. The ACCC expects environmental claims to be clear, accurate and able to be backed up.
• Check any germ-killing claim. In Australia, disinfectant claims are regulated by the TGA. More on that in antibacterial vs disinfectant wipes.
• Read the disposal instructions. If there aren't any, that's a red flag.

Never flush a wipe

Whatever the pack says, wipes don't break up in pipes the way toilet paper does. Australian water utilities deal with wipe blockages all the time. Bin them. More in our post on flushable wipes myths.

How ZERO Cleaning Wipes work

ZERO Cleaning Wipes take a different approach. They're dry wipes made from timber viscose, a plant-based fibre made from wood pulp. No synthetic fibres, and because they're dry, there's no liquid in the pack that needs a preservative.

• Use them dry for dusting and quick wipe-downs.
• Use them damp with water or your usual cleaner for benches, sinks and bathroom surfaces.
• Rinse and reuse. They're reusable, so one wipe can do more than one job.
• From $2.99.

One honest note: ZERO Cleaning Wipes clean, they don't disinfect. They're not antibacterial. If a job needs disinfecting, use a disinfectant product and follow its label.

Build a simple kit

• Quick jobs: ZERO Cleaning Wipes.
• Everyday wiping and spills: ZERO Reusable Cleaning Cloths, also made from timber viscose.
• Commercial kitchens: the ZERO Commercial Cleaning Cloth, designed with chefs.
• The lot: the Ultimate Cleaning Bundle.

FAQ

Are ZERO Cleaning Wipes wet or dry?

Dry. Use them dry, or add water or your usual cleaner.

Can I reuse them?

Yes. Rinse, dry and use again.

Are they disinfecting?

No. They're cleaning wipes, not disinfectants.

Can I flush them?

No. Never flush any wipe.