How to Choose the Best Disinfectant Wipes?
Table of Contents
Top Best Disinfectant Wipes Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need Good Disinfectant Wipes?
When it comes to self-protection, many people believe that hand sanitizers are the most commonly available options. But, there is yet another option called disinfectant wipe that can go a long way in safeguarding yourself. After touching any surface in common places, you can just wipe your hand with these wipes.
10 Factors to Consider When Buying Disinfectant Wipes
When you intend to buy the best disinfectant wipes, you will come across many of them in the market. So, you are sure to face the confusion about the selection. To help you with the right selection, we have discussed the points to consider when shopping for these wipes:
1. Understand the Types of Wipes
On the basis of what they do, disinfectant wipes are classified into the following types:
Baby Disinfectant Wipes
As the name suggests these wipes are created to wipe babies when they mess things up. As these wipes are created for babies, they are capable enough of disinfecting the baby at the same time they clean. Most of them are wet and they are made using a soft fabric to make them safe for baby use. You can find both scented and unscented baby disinfectant wipes. To safeguard the soft skin of the baby, it is better to choose the unscented option.
Medical-grade Disinfectant Wipes
As the name implies, the medical-grade disinfectant wipes are designed to use in hospitals, clinical labs and similar medical facilities. Of course, they can be used in homes and offices for disinfecting surfaces. They are effective in getting rid of germs that cause diseases. In turn, they can help you remain safe. Not just in surfaces, these wipes can also be used in hands for removing germs.
Multi-purpose Disinfectant Wipes
As the name implies, these disinfectant wipes are ideal for use in different situations. You can use them in your home for cleaning tabletops, bathroom taps, toilet seats, and even kitchen counters. You cannot show any place in your home, where these wipes cannot work properly. Even, they can be used in offices for wiping office equipment and desks, in gyms and even in public transport services to wipe seats and other places that many people touch. You can find a multi-purpose disinfectant wipe made using chemical or all-natural ingredients. Of course, the choice is yours concerning this.
2. Know About the Ingredients Used in Making the Wipes
When you compare disinfectant wipes, you will mainly come across a couple of kinds of ingredients. They are all-natural and synthetic wipes. The choice relies on how well you care for the environment.
If the wipes are meant for use in your hands and not on other surfaces, you should consider that the wipe is safe on your hands. Synthetic wipes are generally made using detergents, fragrances, alcohol, and bleaches. Of course, they can effectively kill germs and bacteria, but they can harm the environment.
When you take the case of all-natural ingredients, disinfectant wipes will mostly feature essential oils and herbal extracts. As you can very well judge, all-natural wipes are safe not just for your skin, but also for the environment. They rarely scorch the surfaces they clean.
3. Consider Whether the Wipes are Scented or Non-scented
Most disinfectant wipes come with fragrances and scents. When some scents are synthetic, you will also come across wipes with all-natural scents. It is better to choose the disinfectant wipe with natural scents as they will be safe for your skin.
If possible, you can also go for unscented wipes as well. Also, you should consider your personal preferences in this decision. The reason is that some people get a headache even if they get through a mild scent smell.
4. Is the Disinfectant Wipe Biodegradable?
We live in a world, where we will have to be completely conscious of the environment around us. So, you should check whether the disinfectant wipe that you plan to shop is biodegradable or not. You can know about this from the label of the product. If you do not find this information, just look at the material used for making the wipe.
In general, natural fibers like cotton are used in the production of biodegradable wipes. When you throw it away into the municipal composter, the wipe will decompose and will turn into compost. Those made out of synthetic material might not decompose with ease. So, do have a look at this information before you shop for disinfectant wipes.
5. Types of Packing
The best disinfectant wipes come in different types of containers. You might come across sets of wipes in metallic containers, while some come in plastic containers. Even, you will come across those that come as a set in pouches. The size of the container will differ based on the number of wipes a set has.
Not just the wipes, you should consider the environmental-friendliness of the container as well if you are a person highly concerned about the environment. If you will be using the wipes on the go, you should check whether the pack is traveler-friendly.
As you can judge, larger packs will cost you less as compared to smaller ones. Also, they will be the best if you look to shop for wipes for your entire family.
6. The Length of the Drying Time
In general, disinfectant wipes will be in wet form and they will take time to dry. However, the best wipes will not take more than 90 seconds to dry. This time recommendation is given by the Center for Disease Control. However, the drying time will differ based on the purpose for which the wipes were produced.
When you take the case of wipes that are created for targeting tough bacteria, they might take a longer time to dry as compared to other wipes.
So, we recommend you not to expect any miracles when it comes to quick-drying for these wipes. You can get to know the percentage of microorganisms that a particular disinfectant wipe can kill from the product label.
7. Ease of Use
You might feel surprised to know that some wipes cannot be used with ease. So, before you shop for any disinfectant wipes, it is better to check whether the wipe is easy to use or not. Some wipes can be used only after training. So, you should check whether the product is an easy-to-use wipe besides being tough on infections before you shop for one.
8. Packaging Design
Apart from the type of package in which the disinfectant wipes come, you should also consider the packaging design used. For instance, you should consider whether the pack of wipes has a lid design that will help with easy removal of wipes from the pack.
Some of them also have a closure mechanism to prevent the external air and other invisible substances from damaging the wipes. This type of closure will be better to make sure that the wipes will remain safe from external harmful pathogens.
9. Is the Wipe Free From Alcohol?
When you take the case of most disinfectant wipes, you will find that alcohol is the most commonly used ingredients. The reason is that it is generally known as the best disinfectant itself.
However, the problem with it is that it can leave your skin dry when you use the wipe with this ingredient for wiping your skin. So, it is better to choose a product that is free of alcohol if you plan to use it on your skin and not on a surface.
You will come across non-alcohol based disinfectant wipes that are equally effective as their alcohol-based counterparts. The reason is that they are formulated using ingredients that balance the alcohol non-availability. They can quickly get rid of bacteria and other pathogens as well.
10. Will the Disinfectant Wipe Leave a Sticky Residue on the Surface?
The thing to remember when you compare different disinfectant wipes that all products are not equally made. Some products used for disinfecting the surface can leave a sticky residue on the surface after cleaning. This is not a good option as it will give an unappealing look to the surface.
So, it is better to evaluate the pros and cons of any disinfectant wipe to identify whether it will create this issue and accordingly make your selection.
Wrapping Up
Undoubtedly, disinfectant wipes are excellent creations and they come handy even in places, where you cannot find or use water to clean your hands. To get the complete benefits of this product, you should consider the factors mentioned above to end up with the best product.