As we become a nation that loves all things convenient, there is no reason for this convenience to not follow us into our bathrooms as well.
When it comes to personal care to feel clean and fresh, the flushable toilet wipe was born. It provided the clean fresh feeling that a baby has after a quick diaper change while still being hygienic and easily disposable.
With all this mind, we are going to look at the 10 best flushable wipes that are currently available along with their pros and cons.
In this article
Short On Time? Here Are Our Top 3 Choices
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Wipes | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Charmin Freshmates Flushable Wet Wipes for Adults | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Flushable Wipes for Baby and Kids by Kandoo | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
What is a Flushable Wipe?
Flushable wipes are the modern-day alternative to the good old fashioned toilet paper. They are more effective than toilet paper, leaving you feeling fresh and clean ‘down there.’
Many brands now offer these kinds of wipes from ones aimed specifically at children like Kandoo to those specifically marketed towards men like DUDEs.
They are all basically the same. They have the same basic design with a few slight differences added to make their particular brand stand out in the crowd.
They are all marketed as fully flushable but many also advise that to maintain a healthy sewer system, it is best to only flush one or two wipes at a time.
Why Have They Become So Popular?
These kinds of wipes have become increasingly popular because of the clean and fresh feeling it leaves after you use it. They are the adult version of traditional wet wipes.
This is a multi-billion dollar industry that took off in the mid-2000s when big brands like Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark launched their luxurious pre-soaked adult toilet paper.
Since then, brands such as DUDEs have been conceived and their humourous marketing and great products have made them an industry leader in flushable wipes.
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Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?
If you ask any plumber, they will tell you that flushable wipes may be easy to flush but that they don’t break down like toilet paper and cause terrible problems in our sewers. They often block the sewers which take hours to unblock and get flowing freely again.
Yes, these wipes may be flushable but they are not breaking down quickly enough or even at all in order to prevent a blockage in the sewers.
INDA which is The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry whose members include big names such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and Kimberly-Clark have been leading the fight back against such concerns.
They have developed a new set of guidelines called GD4 which is a seven-part test that all flushable wipes must pass to be considered flushable. Those wipes that pass this test do not pose any threat to our sewer systems.
There is some debate over whether this test is rigorous enough and if it truly reflects what happens to a flushable wipe when it is flushed.
10 Best Flushable Wipes
1. Cottonelle Freshcare Flushable Wipes
These wipes are extra-absorbent and have a ripple texture for better and easier cleaning. They are alcohol-free and they state that they are sewer and septic tank safe.
This is due to safe flush technology which means that they break down six times faster than other leading brands. These wipes also have over a thousand five-star reviews on Amazon
Pros
- Resealable packets
- Moist enough but not too wet
- Scented
- Thicker and more durable than other leading brands
- They are all joined together in order to feed through dispenser slot correctly
Cons
- Slightly smaller than other brands
- An issue with being folded instead of joined causing dispenser feed to not work correctly
2. Charmin Freshmates Flushable Wipes
These are one of Amazon’s best selling wipes. They offer a great rinse-free body cleanser and wipe. They smell great and are fully flushable and sewer and septic tank safe.
They have amazing reviews with over 500 five star reviews and are one of the most popular wipes available on the market today.
Pros
- Pop up resealable packs
- Scented
- Moist but not too moist
- Strong and durable
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Issues with plastic container not resealing correctly
- Smaller sheet size compared to other brands
3. Kandoo Flushable Wet Wipes
Kandoos wipes are unscented, hypoallergenic, and contain no alcohol, paraben, or sulfates. They do contain aloe and vitamin E.
They are flushable. Although, they do recommend that you only flush 1 or 2 wipes at a time and only use in well-maintained sewer systems.
Although these are marketed towards little ones that are potty training, it appears that they are used by many adults too.
Pros
- Quite expensive
- Really soft and gentle on sensitive areas
Cons
- More than one comes out at a time due to being folded
- Very thin consistency
- Soft and fingers often go through them
4. Scott Flushable Wipes
These wipes are fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and hypoallergenic which means they are great for sensitive skin. They are 100% flushable and are made from fibers that are plant sourced making them safe for both sewer and septic tanks.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Have a light fresh scent
- Stay moist for a long time
- Great for multiply uses
Cons
- Tear too easily
- Not unscented as advertised
- Lack of moisture
5. DUDE Wipes
These wipes are larger than standard flushable wipes by around 25% and contain aloe vera and vitamin E to protect those sensitive areas.
They are also unscented and sourced from plant-based fibers making them flushable and sustainable. They are sewer and septic safe, 100% biodegradable and free of alcohol, paraben, and fragrance.
This particular pack comes with 30 individually wrapped wipes and also a dispenser containing 48 wipes. The travel wipes fit easily in your pocket and can also be used on your face, armpits, hands, and body. They also come with a money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 25% larger than standard wipes
- Alcohol and paraben free
- Fragrance free
- Contain aloe vera and vitamin E
- Handy individually wrapped travel packs
- Multiple uses
Cons
- Costly
- Tears easily
- The dispenser does not work correctly
6. Booty Wipes For women
These wipes are specifically marketed at women. They are alcohol and paraben-free so there should be no allergic reaction whatsoever.
They are also not tested on animals and are fragrance-free. They are slightly larger than standard wipes and are fully flushable.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Multiple uses
- Lovely scent
- Stay nice and moist
Cons
- Some issues with wording on packaging being inappropriate
- Some reviews have stated that they are too rough especially for sensitive areas
- Problems removing wipes from packaging for use
7. Rael Feminine Wet Wipes
These wipes are again marketed towards women but there is no reason that they could not be used by the entire family. They are infused with botanical extracts such as aloe, camellia sinensis leaf extracts, and grapefruit extract.
They come in handy travel size packs which are great for keeping fresh on the go. They are fully flushable and made from 98% natural pulp. They are also free of alcohol, parabens, artificial fragrance, and animal-derived ingredients.
Pros
- Made from natural pulp
- Botanical extracts to help soothe and cleanse the skin
- Perfect travel size packs
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- On the expensive side
- unpleasant scent
- Not many wipes per pack
- Reviews stated they caused some irritation
8. Kirkland Signature Flushable Wipes
Kirkland wipes are really soft, thick, and gentle on the skin. They contain aloe and vitamin E and are also hypoallergenic. They are made from 100% plant-based materials and are free from any chemical binders.
They state that they are safe for well-maintained sewers and septics. These wipes are larger than standard flushable wipes and come in handy travel packs that contain 16 wipes in each pack. They also come with standard packs.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and alcohol-free
- Made from 100% plant-based material
- Handy travel packs as well as standard packs
- pleasant scent
Cons
- Very thin
- Unclear packaging of whether these were scented or unscented
9. Simpleaf Flushable Wet Wipes
Simpleaf wipes come in handy travel packs that contain 25 wipes per pack. They are hypoallergenic and infused with aloe vera making them a great choice for sensitive skin.
They contain no parabens or alcohol. They are also biodegradable and flushable as they will dissolve in water.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Infused with aloe vera for sensitive skin
- biodegradable
- Ultra-soft
Cons
- Difficult to get out of the package
10. Nice ‘n Clean Flushable Wipes
These wipes are made from 100% plant-based materials. They are free from dyes, parabens, phthalates and are not tested on animals. They are flushable and safe to use for well-maintained sewers and septics.
Pros
- 100% plant based materials
- Hypoallergenic and ph balanced
- Not tested on animals
- Strong
Cons
- Leave a sticky residue on the skin
- Dry out very quickly
A Final Thought
Whether you love them or hate them, I think flushable wipes are here to stay. They are a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing each and every year.
Although there have been increasing reports of the damage that these kinds of wipes are causing to our sewer and water systems, along with a few lawsuits, I think we have become a nation that loves convenience.
Our top pick of the 10 best flushable wipes is Cottonelle Freshcare Flushable Wipes. These wipes have all the advantages of a good flushable wipe and the few disadvantages that they have are easily forgivable this is why I feel it is the best option.
It holds its moisture, strong and durable with a pleasant smell. The fact that they are smaller than others is not a big deal. When you consider that they are only a fraction smaller, I think that can easily be forgiven when you see all the positives.
