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10 Common Problems with Wet Wipes

If you are looking to tackle greasy, grimy messes in an industrial setting, ordinary wet wipes won’t get the job done! Wet wipes commonly sold in the grocery store cleaning aisle (like Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, or Wet Ones®) simply aren’t designed for heavy-duty jobs. That’s why you need a stronger, more durable and larger cleaning cloth like Crocodile Cloth®. Here are ten common problems with consumer-grade cleaning wipes.

1. Strength of the Substrate

Most wet wipes on the market today are thin and tear easily. This can be a major problem when working with copious quantities of grease and grime. A thin, cheap substrate isn’t very absorbent and is likely to tear if you try to scrub anything, which may leave you with a mess on your hands (literally). A more durable and absorbent cloth gives you more cleaning power per wipe, which is more cost-effective in the long run.

2. Size of the Cleaning Wipe

When using smaller wipes, you’ll go through a lot more. Standard wipes are typically about seven inches square—not big enough for big jobs! Often, you end up using multiple wipes, which defeats the purpose of buying a cheaper product. Look for a cleaning cloth large enough to tackle the job with one sheet.

3. Effectiveness and Safety of the Cleaning Formulation

Some wipes may have chemicals that are very diluted or too harsh. Wipes with diluted chemicals don’t do a good job of breaking down grease and grime effectively. Wipes that are too harsh can dry out your hands or affect the surfaces you work on. The perfect formula is strong on dirt but safe on skin and surfaces. Look for one that has been dermatologically tested for skin safety.

4. Wipes Drying Out Too Quickly

Typically, if you leave a package of wipes open, you’re done. Most wipes will dry out when the container is left open. Premium wipes may address the drying problem in a variety of ways, including:

  • a thicker, more absorbent nonwoven substrate to hold more liquid;
  • an alcohol-free formulation to reduce evaporation;
  • packaging design that minimizes excess air in the package; and
  • additional liquid in the package.

5. Poorly Designed Packaging

If you’ve experienced the frustration of trying to wrestle with the lid of a canister of cleaning wipes, you know what we mean. Many wipe packages have closures that are difficult to use (especially when you need to open them one-handed while containing a mess with the other). Other types of closures, such as cheap tape closures on flat packs, may only be good for a certain number of uses before they fail. And when the tape stops sealing or the canister lid cracks, wet wipes dry out very quickly (see above). The best packaging is designed to open easily and close securely, every time.

6. Bad Perforation

Ever pull five wipes when you only wanted one? The worst. Poor perforation leads to waste, as you end up using more wipes than you intended. Attempting to shove the unwanted wipes back into the package may contaminate the rest or lead to excessive drying. Look for wipes that are cleanly perforated so you can pull them from the package one at a time.

7. Unpleasant Scent

Some cleaning wipes are strongly scented—and that scent isn’t always pleasant. A strong floral or sickly sweet tropical can quickly become overpowering. And depending on the formulation, the scent may linger for a long time on the surfaces you have cleaned. Before committing to a particular brand of wipe, make sure it is one with a scent you can live with. Unscented products or products with a mild, clean scent that dissipates quickly are usually best.

8. Moldy Wipes

A bad formulation can lead to problems with mold and mildew inside the wipe container. And who wants to clean with a moldy wipe? Eww! Make sure your cleaning products are made with a good formulation that will deter microbial growth for an extended time, and be sure to store the product in accordance with the storage instructions on the package.

9. Environmentally Unfriendly

Disposable cleaning wipes can become an environmental issue. What options does your brand or manufacturer offer? Ensure that care is taken with every component: the substrate, packaging, labels, and ingredients to ensure that you have a product that has the environment in mind. Plant-based substrates and recyclable packaging can go a long way towards improving the environmental footprint of your disposable cleaning wipes.

10. Regulatory Compliance Issues

Is your cleaning wipe FDA- or EPA-approved? A lot of unregulated wet wipes have popped up on the market, especially as the pandemic made regular brands hard to find. Many of these fly-by-night brands haven’t bothered to get the appropriate regulatory approval. That means you don’t have any assurance about their safety, effectiveness or the accuracy of their ingredient list. A note on regulation: EPA approval is required for cleaning wipes intended for use on surfaces, while FDA approval is required for hand sanitizing wipes intended for use on skin. Make sure your wipe has the right approvals for your intended use.

Don’t Settle for Wimpy Wipes

If you’ve used ordinary disposable cleaning wipes, you know how frustrating it can be. That’s why the world needs Crocodile Cloth®. Our super-size cleaning cloths are extra large and extra tough for superior cleaning power. And with our specialized formulation and“Never Dry” guarantee, Crocodile Cloth® will never leave you high and dry.

If you’re interested in becoming a Crocodile Cloth distributor or if you have further questions,  contact us for more information.