Disposable wipes
Convenience versus ‘green choices’... Is it just that what it boils down to? The benefits and disadvantages of disposable wipes are weighed in this section.
Convenience wizard or Environmental hazard?
Convenience is a buzzword even in house-cleaning. One trend where this is clearly evident is in the move from using reusable cloths to disposable wipes for a multitude of household cleaning jobs. One can find disposable wipes for cleaning virtually every room and surface in the home: wipes for kitchen and bathroom surfaces, wipes for various floor surfaces, antibacterial wipes to kill germs wherever they might lurk, flushable wipes for toilet cleaning and wipes infused with furniture polish or with glass and mirror cleaner. We are told these wipes make our life easier and help us do tasks faster! (?)
However, one must also consider the negative impact all this is having on our environment. What seems harmless and civilised — you don’t even have to touch the dirt — actually takes a pretty big toll on the environment.
Advantages and disadvantages of using disposable wipes
The following are some pros and cons which one should keep in mind when considering using disposable wipes for household tasks:
Advantages:
- Specific wipes available for various applications.
- Anti-bacterial versions, can help prevent the transmission of certain diseases.
Disadvantages:
- Manufacturers add large amounts of preservatives and antibacterials to prevent pack contamination.
- Wipes often contain skin-irritating chemicals.
- The cleaning power of disposable wipes is based on solvents like denatured alcohol, which can cause dry, cracked skin. This breaks down the skin’s own protective barrier and can cause infections and dermatitis.
- Wipes produce more household waste.
- Most are made of synthetic material and are not readily biodegradable.
- Wipes add chemicals to the toxic mix in a landfill
As consumers we must make wise, practical, yet also environment-friendly decisions. There are some jobs like cleaning hands when you are out on a picnic where disposable anti-bacterial wipes may be convenient – though now there are also liquids which you just rub on and leave to dry. However, in many circumstances disposability is only a gimmick, rather than a true time-saving time device. For example, take cleaning a kitchen surface using a disposable wipe which you have to take out of the cupboard and out of a container. A sponge with soap and water is just as quick.
