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The Wet Wipes Debate – Bin or Bowl?

29 May

Most of us were first introduced to the seductive power of wet wipes, with their propylene glycol and benzalkonium chloride ingredients, as we tended to the tiny (often explosive) bottoms of our bubs. The convenience of the baby wipe cannot be overlooked in the baby care nappy bag arsenal. These flushable wipes based on their product packaging are cheap, easily accessible, portable, easy to use, and great at cleaning up our messy babies from one end to the other. Plus, they smell good with their lemon citric acid flavours or another. Whether it’s removing remnants of their stormy “poonamis” or cleaning up ice cream-smothered faces and hands, cleaning wipes have become a cleaning staple since the 50s.

And with the pandemic making all of us more aware of the importance of personal hygiene to our health, a pack of wet wipes has taken a significant spot on our grocery list as a customer in the market, along with the other hygenic products,  making sure we leave time to search for alcohol and wet wipes should there be no stock. And some of us even consider delivery, creating an account in online stores just to be able to add to the cart a pack of wet wipes among the other items for cleanliness. Since, admit it, some of us just don’t feel clean enough when we’re outside unless we’ve paired a wet wipe with alcohol on our hands and stuff.

But what happens with baby wipes or wet wipes after usage? Bin or bowl? Which wet wipes should go to the bin? Or are all types of wet wipes flushable?

Types of Wet Wipes Most People Use

Since wet wipes were first introduced in the store, the types, brands, and uses for these handy little cleaning legends have exploded. Today baby wipes are not the only type of wet wipes we can easily grab, there are many sort of wet wipes in the lists we can also quickly get our messy hands-on:

Types Of Wet Wipes

Wet Wipes Have Become Our Go-To Cleaning Alternative

Wet wipes have been cleaned up, replacing disposable and non-disposable cleaner-uppers alike. They’ve taken the place of toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, cloths, towels, cotton pads, sponges and even the beloved Chux!

They are handy little things to have around. And can be very addictive too for our cleanliness and for some sensitive skin. You might find yourself wanting suck product type easily found in your bags, vehicle or anywhere within reach for your needs. Before alcohol was enough for your dirty hands, but now using wet wipes before alcohol gives you more comfort and peace of mind.

However, when we’re done with them, then what?

Bowl or Bin? Which Is The Safest Choice For Your Plumbing With Your Used Wet Wipes?

Where should your dirty wet wipes go? Are all product type safe to throw in the bowl? Why should you even think about it? These are some questions you’re faced with when you’ve seen others throw away their baby wipes just anywhere, but you heard other things— about the troubles you can get into with flushing away your used wet wipes.

Many of these product type are labelled “flushable” in their product packaging or claim that the product type are safe for septic use.

But don’t believe everything you read or hear.

In general, baby wipes or any kind of wet wipes do not belong in the toilet, regardless of the claims on the label. While flushable product type may go down the loo quickly, they can eventually cause many problems, blockages being the most common issue. When your bowl has had enough of flushed baby wipes, you’ll have no other choice but to contact an expert for plumbing needs.

Although, some product type are better than others, and most wet wipes eventually do break down. But, wet wipes take much longer to do so compared to their toilet paper counterparts.

Since the breakdown of wet wipes doesn’t happen as fast, their persistent presence can lead to an increased frequency of clogged pipes and blockages in plumbing and septic systems alike.

Once these hit a 45-degree angle in the plumbing pipes, your baby wipes can begin to clog, collect and then catch other things that would otherwise clear their path. Over time, instead of being flushed out, they plugged up the household plumbing.

These seemingly harmless little baby wipes can also end up blocking the sewer completely. Both issues can result in an unwanted backup and damage that requires the help of an experienced plumber.

Besides causing blockage around the home, wet wipes can be equally dangerous to wastewater equipment and facilities. They’ve been known to cling to impellers inside a pump, causing it to burn out. This is why wastewater treatment authorities and plumbing professionals continue to plead with the public to cease flushing these coveted product type.

We urge you to choose to toss the wet wipes in the bin instead.

You’ve Been Wet Wipes Warned!

You’ve been warned. If you’ve been flushing away any signs of your “dirty” little wet-wipes habit, you could be putting your home’s plumbing at risk.

And the choice to flush your wet wipes instead of throwing them in the bin can challenge wastewater treatment facilities too. So, if you can’t break your wet-wipes habit, please, please, please choose to dispose your baby wipes, body wipes and other similar product type in the bin, not the (toilet) bowl. Your plumbing will thank you for it!

If you’re still experiencing clogs without throwing baby wipes or wet wipes in the bowl, reach out and contact an expert plumber for help. It could be another plumbing problem a simple DIY won’t fix.