Are Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Safe?
Written by Irina Webb
Are you using Costco baby wipes but are unsure of their safety? In this expert baby wipes ingredient review, you will learn about the ingredients of two kinds of Costco Wholesale baby wipes – Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Fragrance Free and Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Scented. Plus, you will have some questions answered, including whether alcohol is a problem in baby wipes, and what to do about the Costco baby wipes class action lawsuit. To quickly choose the optimal wipes for your infant, refer to my Baby Wipes Rating List. You will find more than 70 wipes rated from the safest to the least safe.
Are Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Safe?
In 2012, when I started researching baby wipes, the only thing I thought important was to look for “alcohol-free” wipes. Since then, label reading has become my full-time occupation and calling, and my knowledge has expanded thanks to extensive research. (Stay with me to find out whether “alcohol” as an ingredient is a problem in baby wipes.)
Thus, you can profit from my exploration of diapers, non-toxic crib mattress, safest baby sunscreen, and other healthy baby products. Additionally, my free blog posts will help you find a baby-safe laundry detergent, an effective water filter system, and safe cookware, to name a few.
In 2013, I wrote a blog post about Kirkland Signature baby wipes. At that time, the list of ingredients contained some red flags – even formaldehyde! The blog post attracted over 1,000 readers daily!
As a result of consumer power, those Costco baby wipes were reformulated to remove the formaldehyde-releasing preservative in 2014. Neither is there potentially skin-irritating propylene glycol any longer. (By the way, I have seen many changes in product formulations thanks to consumer power. So, keep asking questions of manufacturers and influencing the market!)
While I am happy about these major improvements, Kirkland baby wipes are not at the top of my Baby Wipes Rating List, just yet. Let’s find out why!
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Ingredients
For your convenience, I have put together a table with the fragrance free and scented Costco baby wipes ingredients as of November 2024:
| PRODUCT’S NAME | INGREDIENTS |
| Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Fragrance Free | Water, coco glucoside, xanthan gum, glyceryl oleate, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, citric acid, sodium citrate. |
| Kirkland Signature Scented Baby Wipes | Water, coco glucoside, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, sodium citrate, citric acid, xanthan gum, glyceryl oleate, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, fragrance. |
According to the screenshots above, the ingredients of the fragrance free and scented Kirkland Signature baby wipes are identical, except for the added fragrance in the scented ones. The wipes, share the same preservation system – phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate. Let’s talk about these preservatives first.
Is Phenoxyethanol Safe For Babies’ Skin?
To begin, in my annually updated Baby Wipes Rating list e-book, phenoxyethanol has a rating of 5. (I use the scale of 0-10 with 0 as the “least toxic” and 10 as the “most toxic.”)
As a broad-spectrum preservative, phenoxyethanol prevents both mold and bacteria growth in baby wipes that contain water. On the one hand, as I have written in my post on Phenoxyethanol in Skin Care, phenoxyethanol is not carcinogenic and not a very common allergen or irritant. Hence, I believe it is a big improvement over the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives Costco baby wipes used to have.
On the other hand, there is something else to consider about phenoxyethanol before buying Kirkland Signature baby wipes.
First, phenoxyethanol results from the reaction of carcinogenic ethylene oxide with highly corrosive phenol. So, technically, residue contamination in the final product is possible. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel (which is the cosmetic industry association, not an independent body), cosmetic-grade phenoxyethanol is typically 98% pure and contains less than 1 ppm of ethylene oxide.
Besides, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) warns that ethylene oxide is carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, and under assessment as endocrine disrupting. And phenol may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure and is suspected to be mutagenic, i.e., causing genetic defects (ECHA).
Second, some babies (and adults) may have a skin reaction to phenoxyethanol, even to amounts as low as 1%. That is why it is on the list of allergens maintained by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.
Third, in 2008, the FDA warned consumers not to use Mommy’s Bliss Nipple cream because it contained phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin, both of which may have contributed to the distress of infants who ingested it (source). So, at the very least, watch out for phenoxyethanol in products that can be ingested.
In addition, this recent study has revealed a connection of phenoxyethanol with the death of human meibomian gland epithelial cells essential to maintaining the health and integrity of the ocular surface. For these reasons, I do not promote products with phenoxyethanol on my website.
Do I Need To Worry About Sodium Benzoate In Baby Products?
As for sodium benzoate, in my Baby Wipes Rating list e-book, I rate it 3 out of 10 (with 10 as the “most toxic”).
In comparison to phenoxyethanol, I believe sodium benzoate is safer. Personally, I use products with this preservative and recommend them to you. But then again, we are talking about gentle baby bottoms that wear diapers and get wiped all day long. That is why it is important to be aware of what the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel says about sodium benzoate before purchasing these Costco baby wipes.
Specifically, according to the CIR panel report, there is a risk of an allergic reaction if sodium benzoate is used in concentrations over 5%.
We do not know the concentration of phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate in Kirkland Signature baby wipes. Therefore, it is a good idea to discontinue using them if your baby gets a rash or skin irritation.
Also, please read my blog post to find out if sodium benzoate and citric acid are okay when used together.
Should I Avoid Preservatives In Baby Products Altogether?
Well, the short answer is “no” because preservatives are a must in products formulated with water. Specifically, preservatives are necessary to prevent bacteria and mold contamination that can cause infections and sicknesses. So, it is a good thing that Costco baby wipes contain preservatives because they are all water-based.
To illustrate, the American Journal of Infection Control reported an outbreak of an infection in a neonatal intensive care unit, related to a contaminated hand lotion.
Next, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology described cases of a fungal infection caused by a compromised skin lotion in patients.
Also, the Journal of Hospital Infection reported numerous infections among 14 babies, including urinary tract infection, meningitis, septicemia, and conjunctivitis. All the infections were traced to a contaminated baby shampoo.
Do you see now why I refuse to promote products that have no preservation systems? Even though imperfect, phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate in Kirkland Signature baby wipes are better than no preservatives at all!
For instance, self-acclaimed “world’s purest” WaterWipes baby wipes used to claim there were no preservatives among their baby wipes ingredients. In 2014, I wrote a critical review on them, and several years later my suspicions appeared to be right. Namely, the brand revealed using benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. (Read the full story about benzalkonium chloride in WaterWipes baby wipes here.)
Are Scented Baby Wipes Okay?
As a reminder, Costco baby wipes list “fragrance” as an ingredient only in the scented version of Kirkland baby wipes. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I give fragrance a rating of 8 out of 10 (with 10 as the “most toxic”). Why so high?
For starters, the US has no regulation requiring that companies disclose the ingredients of the fragrance mixes they use. Moreover, most companies choose not to disclose them because they refer to their fragrance ingredients as “proprietary information.”
In the meantime, the International Fragrance Association Transparency List (IFRA) includes more than 3000 fragrance ingredients. To clarify, while some ingredients serve to cover odor or malodor, others support the functionality and durability of a fragrance compound.
Unfortunately, phthalates, e.g., diethyl phthalate, are common fragrance ingredients. For your information, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) states that diethyl phthalate is “under assessment as endocrine disrupting.”
You might think that the amounts of fragrance ingredients used in wipes are tiny, but they do add up. And babies are especially vulnerable because their detox systems are not fully developed yet.
Additionally, fragrance mixes may cause allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential harms to the reproductive system. (Learn more in my post Is Natural Fragrance Safe?.)
That said, let’s discuss the rest of the ingredients in Kirkland Signature baby wipes.
Other Ingredients In Costco Baby Wipes
- Coco Glucoside: This is one of the safest surfactants. On very rare occasions, it may cause a reaction, though. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I rate coco glucoside at 2 (on a scale of 0-10, with 10 as “most toxic”). You can learn more about Glucosides here.
- Xanthan Gum: This is a viscosity agent to make the lotion liquid thicker. As a food additive, xanthan gum may alter the gut microbiome (source). In topical application, however, xanthan gum does not affect the gut microbiome because it is not ingested. Instead, it makes the baby wipes safer by minimizing a wipe’s friction against the baby’s skin and thus reducing the risk of irritation. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I rate xanthan gum at 1.
- Glyceryl Oleate: This is an emulsifier that helps mix water-based ingredients with oil-based ingredients, which allows the wipes to remove oily residue from a baby’s skin. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I rate glyceryl oleate at 2.
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate: This is a chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and appearance of baby wipes. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I rate tetrasodium glutamate diacetate at 3.
- Citric Acid: This adjusts acidity to make the wipes more compatible with a baby’s skin. In bigger quantities, it can irritate the skin, but I do not think it applies here. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I rate citric acid at 1.
- Sodium Citrate: Like citric acid, sodium citrate helps adjust acidity in baby wipes, and I also rate it at 1.
- Tencel: This is the name of the fabric used in Kirkland Signature baby wipes. In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I rate Tencel at 3.
Do Kirkland Baby Wipes Contain Alcohol?
No, Costco baby wipes have no alcohol among their ingredients. Neither do any of the baby wipes (more than 70) included in my Baby Wipes Rating List.
Although “alcohol-free baby wipes” is a popular Internet search phrase, it is a myth because all baby wipes are alcohol free. It is like looking for a BPA-free glass container: there is no BPA (plastic) in glass in the first place!
True, there exist ingredients that contain the word “alcohol” in their names, such as cetyl alcohol and phenethyl alcohol. Yet, due to a different
chemical structure, they are not alcohols in the common sense of the word. (None of them are among Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes ingredients, by
the way.)
Perhaps, the main fear of alcohol as an ingredient comes from the apprehension that it may be drying. Indeed, such alcohols as ethanol and rubbing alcohol can be very drying and cause itchiness, flaking, and skin peeling.
Conversely, cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that has a waxy texture and functions as an emulsifier. Specifically, it helps soften the skin and improve the texture and consistency of the product’s formulation. And phenethyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol, used as a mild preservative. Unlike true alcohol, it does not evaporate as rapidly, which is what makes it non-drying.
Bottom line, Kirkland baby wipes have neither alcohol, nor any other ingredients with the word “alcohol” in them.
What Are Costco Baby Wipes Made Of?
The materials used in both Kirkland Signature baby wipes fragrance-free and scented is Tencel, aka Lyocell, a type of rayon.
Further, Tencel is made of wood pulp that turns into yarn through the process of spinning and chemical treatment. While the production of viscose (aka rayon) involves intense chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, Tencel (Lyocell) uses the NMMO process. Reportedly, the N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide (NMMO) technology is “fully ecological and environmentally friendly, with no effluents or gases emitted to the atmosphere.” (source)
In my Baby Wipes Rating List, I give Tencel as a plant-based material a rating of 3 out of 10. To compare, I rate cotton at 1 and polypropylene at 10.
To emphasize, the information about the wipe material is not that readily available on manufacturers’ websites. That is why I applaud Costco baby wipes’ manufacturer for disclosing this information. Conversely, for many other baby wipes reviewed in my Baby Wipes Rating List, I had to personally contact the manufacturers with the question about their wipes’ material. As a result of this communication, more and more manufacturers have begun disclosing their wipes’ materials on their websites. Therefore, I encourage you to exercise your consumer power and keep asking questions of manufacturers.
Are Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Biodegradable?
To begin, there is a difference between the terms “biodegradable” and “compostable,” although both involve micro-organisms for the process to happen.
Thus, in its Guide to Compostable Products and Packaging, the Association for Organics Recycling states that generally speaking, most materials biodegrade given time. Hence, the term is confusing as it does not define time limits for the process of biodegradation. Additionally, there is a concern that the temperatures necessary to induce biodegradation may not be reached through a non-composting environment.
On the other hand, “compostable” materials biodegrade in a composting process within a specified timeframe and at the right temperature. Consequently, the biological processes during composting yield C02, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass with no visible contaminants or toxic substances.
Ultimately, the Association for Organics Recycling emphasizes that the label “biodegradable” does not convey sufficient meaning as to what happens to the material when it becomes waste.
In other words, finding out if Costco baby wipes are compostable rather than biodegradable seems to make more sense. Please, contact the manufacturer to have this question answered. The more of us ask questions, the sooner we will see changes in the market.
Who Makes Costco Baby Wipes?
The manufacturer of Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes is Nice-Pak Products, Inc., and the wipes are made in the USA.
Surely, this is a legitimate question because quite often product preference depends on its manufacturing location. For this reason, I included the country of manufacture in my Baby Wipes Rating List. Although the place of manufacture does not affect the wipes’ safety rating, it will help you make an informed decision.
What Baby Wipes Are Best For Newborns?
In an ideal world, it would be best not to use any disposable baby wipes.
Indeed, even the best-rated infant wipes may contain ingredients that can potentially irritate the baby’s gentle skin. For instance, even chamomile and coconut oil can cause irritation in sensitive people, not to mention babies whose skin gets rubbed all the time.
Personally, instead of disposable wet baby wipes, I used water and a soft cloth on my son. Specifically, I washed his bum in the sink under running water with an olive oil natural soap. And when he peed only, I wiped him with cloth wipes and water.
However, I realize that going disposable wipe-free is very challenging and, in some cases, impossible. That is why I created my Baby Wipes Rating List e-book – to help you choose the safest baby wipes.
Are The Wipes Marketed As “Flushable” Actually Flushable?
For starters, I have not used any flushable baby wipes. So, I cannot tell you from my personal experience whether they are actually flushable. However, I encourage you to always consult the manufacturer’s instructions first.
Probably, it is a good idea to take into consideration the construction of your plumbing system, its age, the water pressure, and the overall sewage maintenance before flushing the wipes. Also, if you decide to flush, stick to one wipe at a time.
Should I Worry About The Costco Baby Wipes Lawsuit?
To start with, in June 2024, plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit against Costco Wholesale and Nice-Pak Products in California federal court. Among other things, the lawsuit alleges negligent misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment or omission.
Specifically, the plaintiffs claim that Costco’s Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Fragrance-Free are advertised as being “made with naturally derived ingredients,” and contain unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals, known for their potential toxicity. The complaint argues that lab testing, done with a Department of Defense laboratory, found PFAS in the wipes. Consequently, in the plaintiffs’ opinion, baby wipes contain “unsafe levels” of PFAS, which is inconsistent with the label’s alleged promise of natural ingredients.
Further, the plaintiffs seek damages and injunctive relief, accusing Costco Wholesale and Nice-Pak Products of selling baby wipes with concealed risks. In turn, in August 2024, Costco moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that it exaggerates PFAS concerns and lacks specific identification of the PFAS levels. (source and source)
So, should you worry about the Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes lawsuit? Well, I encourage you to read my blog post Costco Baby Wipes Lawsuit: Do You Need To Worry? to find out my opinion on this matter and the reasons for it.
If you would like to learn what a class action lawsuit is and how it works, read my attorney-husband’s take on Class Action Lawsuit – What You Need to Know.
Conclusion: Are Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Safe?
Although Over The Years The Costco Baby Wipes’ Formulation Has Improved Safety-Wise, Kirkland Baby Wipes Haven’t Made It To The Top Of My Baby Wipes Rating List Yet.
To sum up, in this expert baby wipes ingredient review, you have learned about the ingredients of Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Fragrance Free and Scented.
In short, the ingredients have improved significantly, as now there are no formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and potentially allergenic propylene glycol. The milder preservatives used in Costco baby wipes now are phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate. Nevertheless, they both can irritate a baby’s gentle skin. Therefore, if your baby experiences discomfort, stop using these baby wipes.
Additionally, you have had many of your questions answered, including whether you should be concerned about alcohol in baby wipes. As it happens, there is no reason for any concern because alcohol is not even an ingredient in baby wipes.
Lastly, when possible, avoid using disposable wet infant wipes altogether and use a cotton cloth and plain soap instead. Alternatively, take advantage of my Baby Wipes Rating List and Disposable Diapers Rating List to quickly choose the optimal disposable wipes and diapers for your infant..
Also, check out the Healthy Baby section of the IRLFY shop for safe body care and other baby products as well as the latest blog posts on healthy living on the I Read Labels For You blog.
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I see this was updated in 2020 and it’s now 2022 and I just used a Kirkland baby wipe on my face and it was burning! So I look at my ingredients and it is sooooo not the same now. Just thought I would let you know since there is definitely not aloe or any of the other soothing ingredients listed on my package of signature Kirkland baby wipes.
Hi, April! Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels for You and for reading product ingredients! Indeed, the ingredients for KS fragrance-free baby wipes today (2022) differ from those discussed in the blog post (2020). While we are in a continuous process of updating our blog posts, some need to wait a little longer for their turn to be updated. :)) However, we update our Baby Wipes Rating List E-book annually, and the ingredients for KS Baby Wipes Fragrance-Free in the e-book correspond to those on their website. Hence, their rating is updated accordingly. Consider turning to our Baby Wipes Rating List e-book for help with purchasing the safest (in our opinion) product: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/ebooks/baby-wipes/
Have you recently checked it the Costco wipes. They are now fragrance free. Or at least that is what the box says. If you can, please check them out. I’d love to know your thoughts on them now.
Hi, Monique: could you please email me a picture of the ingredients on the box? Thanks! ~Irina
Hi. Thank you so much for your website and research. I just discovered it recently and wish I would have found it before. I have 2 year old twin boys and have been using the buggies natural care wipes and am so sad to read that I might have been poisoning my babies. We wipe their hands every time before they eat. I would love to make wipes, but it’s just not in my bandwidth trying to keep these 2 alive. I’m a tiny bit confused by all of the wipes posts and was wondering if there is any wipe that comes in bulk (the large refill bags) that you can recommend as we go through so many? Thank you!
Hi, Ally: I created Baby Wipes Rating List for the purpose to organize this information and present in an actionable way. It is one of my biggest sellers. Let me know what you think if you buy it. ~Irina
Hi Irina,
I have a question about certain baby wipes I just recently came across. The name is WaterWipes. The ingredients read water and grapefruit extract. And nothing else at all!!! Created by a concerned father whose child was super sensitive to anything on the market. Have you heard of this brand and if yes – what are your thoughts and opinion? Thank you in advance.
Thank you for asking, Nastia! Please read my review of WaterWipes here: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/waterwipes-baby-wipes-natural-or-toxic/ ~Irina
My review for the baby wipes
I got these from my in law. My baby broke out from them burning her bottom. I used them on my bottom and they burned like h*** My sister even used them, she had the same experience. I only use them for my hands to clean.
Tnis is sooo true i bought Kirkland wipes and when I used it on my son to wipe his mouth just seconds, rashes appeared on his face…. i thought its bec of the food he just ate… then tonight i used the wipes to wipe his face and arms, he got rashes on his entire face and arms where i used d wipes! thanks for this article!
Hi Irina, I first wanted to thank you for all of your hard work and research on baby wipes. You’re a tremendous help! And I really appreciated you answering my questions a while back on Whole Foods 365 “chlorine free” Baby Wipes. (By the way, I’ve tried – and love! – the Honest baby wipes, but the price just isn’t working in our budget right now with our two youngest in diapers. So I’ve mostly gone back to the Whole Foods 365 wipes, which I always buy in bulk. I know they’re not the best option, especially as they pose the formaldehyde risk, but it’s the best we can do right now and we’ve been happy with them for the most part…until now.) I recently noticed that Whole Foods has changed both the packaging and the formula for their wipes — and even the actual wipe itself (it’s smaller! and maybe a tad thinner, too? or “dryer” feeling, at least…there seems to be less liquid in each wipe)…but the price is still the same. 🙁 So you’re paying the same price for a pack of wipes (or a box of refill packs), but getting less for your money. Also, with the new smaller (and less moist) wipes, I’m finding that I don’t get as much “mileage” out of each one so we’re going through each pack faster than the old ones.
All of this is disappointing, of course, but what I’m most concerned about is the change in ingredients. The new list is as follows: “Aqua (purified water), aloe barbadensis (aloe vera leaf) extract, contains less than 1% of the following: sodium cocyl hydrolyzed soy protein (cleanser), oryza sativa (rice) extract, glycerin (moisturizing cleanser), tocopherol (vitamin E), dehydroacetic acid, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol (preservative), dimethicone copolyol (foam reducer), citric acid (pH balancer)” What do you think about the new Ingredients list? And “soy protein?” In a baby wipe??? (Soy’s in everything now…and my oldest has a soy food allergy. I can’t believe we’ve found a way to put soy in baby wipes!) Anyway, I’m hoping that the changes are positive since it’s such a different list/formula compared to the old wipes…but I’m a little nervous to ask!
Thank you again so much for your help!
By the way, I looked up each of the ingredients on EWG’s Skin Deep website and most appear to be okay…although the soy protein one didn’t come up when I searched it. (I’m guessing that it’s a pretty benign ingredient in a baby wipe…) Benzyl alcohol might be irritating to the skin for some babies, possibly, but so far I don’t think it’s bothering my baby’s or my toddler’s skin. Time will tell, though…(We just started using the “new” 365 wipes a few days ago.) At least they got rid of the sodium hydroxymethylglycinate from the old formula — I’m hoping that this means the “new” version is formaldehyde free! (?)
Thanks again for your passion and hard work on researching safe products for our babies!
Hi Carrie: I apologize for not being able to get back to you right away. I hate to say it but I think even after the reformulation 365 wipes are still worse than Kirkland. The main problem is benzoic acid that is an endocrine disruptor. With endocrine disruptors even tiny amounts potentially can be very harmful. I hope it helps.
AND The new wipes stink! They literally smell like poop and the smell does not dissipate.
NOVEMBER 2014 – KIRKLAND BABY WIPES – CAUSED SERIOUS SKIN REACTION TO MY DAUGHTER
I am based in the UK.
About a month ago, when we ran out of my 1 year old daughter’s Johnsons baby wipes , my husband bought the Kirkland brand.
Soon after we started using the new wipes, my daughter had a really bad skin reaction (rashes, raw skin, etc.).
Not realising it was caused by the Kirkland wipes and being very concerned, I took my daughter to the doctor several times. Various creams (Canesten, Sudocream, etc) were prescribed – needless to say none of them worked.
We however noticed that when she went to nursery (where different wipes were used), her skin improved slightly during the week. However at the weekend when she was at home, it got worse!
My husband decided to revert to the Johnson Baby wipes. Within the last 48 hours, the rashes, etc more or less disappeared! I then went on the internet and saw your blog.
Looking at the Kirkland Baby wipes it has PEG-75 Lanolin, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol amongst other ingredients.)
I notice you mentioned that Propylene Glycol has been removed. But it is still very much in the wipes sold here in the UK.
I am returning the rest of the box to Costco today for a refund.
As a warning to other parents, please stay clear of the Costco/ Kirkland brand of baby wipes until the offending ingredients have been removed.
Bernadine
Good Job! Now if you can convince Costco to get rid of that “new unscented smell” on their baby wipes, (new formulation smells like stale beer, and it lingers on and on), then I will start buying them again.
Which wipes do you recommend?
My top recommendation is to use cloth wipes. Among disposable wipes my top choices are wipes by Honest Co. and Jackson Reese wipes (see a short post about them here). If you’d like to have more options and know what wipes to buy when you are in a store, I put together a list of wipes rated in the order from least toxic to most toxic. This list comes in a wallet size. You can purchase and print it for $3.99 here. Thanks!
They changed formula again.After using them for years without any problem(kids,my personal hygiene, makup remover) I have got serious rush on my face and private parts.
Hi, do you have any experience with Nature babycare Eco-Sensitive Fragrance-Free Wipes? Thanks!
Hi Maria,
thank you for asking the question. Please check out my recent post at https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/ebooks/baby-wipes/. Let me know if you have more questions.
Irina
This is great, love the article on baby wipes, please send me emails with more great info!!! Thank you.
When a product contains methanol or ethanol, it is labelled as contains alcohol. Propylene glycol is not an alcohol. It contains OH groups which are also present in alcohols. But a product containing propylene glycol will still be alcohol free.
I was at the store reading labels trying to find out what Propylene Glycol was. As it sounded like an alcohol to me. When I looked it up I happened upon ur article. Very informative. Ty.
Just wanted to say thank you for all the reasearch I didn’t have to do because you did! I too wash my baby’s poopy bottom in the sink. For pee-pee bottoms, I use warm water and soap on old, softer, cut up cotton t- shirts. (Usually Johnson’s but I will be switching to castile soap now.) Mostly because I don’t like using all those chemicals on her but also because we’re tryiing to do zero waste and wipes are just one more thing to throw out. But when we go out or are traveling, I’m always trying to find compostable wipes or at least ones made of bamboo. As always Kirkland products are a good deal, a bit cheaper and I always kick myself for passing them up but they never use the word compostable. Not just biodegradable but ones that will compost. I’ll be headed over to the honest site. (They are outrageously expensive on Amazon.) Thanks for the save! Cheers!
Happy Sunday! I found this post while doing research for a post I’m writing on my blog about using baby wipes on dogs. Thank you for this great information. I pulled a quote from the blog and linked it back to this post. I anticipate the post to go live in the first couple weeks of May.
Kimberly
Sounds good! Thank you for letting me know.
Great info! I just wanted to add that actually you can buy the honest company’s wipes at nordstrom!!
Thank-you so much for this info. My baby did develop a rash when she was around 3 months old. I had no idea what caused it and it took over a month to clear up. Kirkland and Pampers are the two wipe brands we use but I will now be looking into Honest Co.
hi, just wondering…while i know it is not always possible, what about rinsing the wipes before using them? i do this often and figure i have “diluted” them significantly. (hopefully not more at the expense of the environment than their disposal!)
btw, thanks for your time!
hi, just wondering…while i know it is not always possible, what about rinsing the wipes before using them? i do this often and figure i have “diluted” them significantly. (hopefully not more at the expense of the environment than their disposal!)
Great article! Nice to see people asking questions before they make a purchase.
I actually work with a company that makes a great Eco friendly, money saving, chemical free alternative. I’d love to share with you, and even mail you some samples.
I don’t want to appear as if I’m spamming your page though by adding my website and product info. If it’s ok with you though I’ll post some info. If not I understand.
I just want people to know that there is a green alternative that won’t break the bank.
Hi Jessie, please email me privately with your company’s information. And I will take a look at the ingredients. It is always good to know of safe alternatives. Thanks!
Hi Irina, this is a great article! I’ve been using Kirkland’s baby wipes for over 2mo now and I found it great. However the ingredient I found on the packet is different to what you stated here. The wipes is made in USA but imported by Costco Australia. Here is the ingredient:
Aqua, propylene glycol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, tocopheryl acetate, peg-75 lanolin, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, citric acid, disdium phospate, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, polysorbate 20, ethylene brassylate.
As I know nothing about all those chemical, I would love to hear your opinion on those ingredients. Thanks!
Hi did you get a reply regarding this information. I have just stopped using my Kirkland wipes because of this article.
I mostly use Honest wipes but buy Earth’s Best also. Have you looked into the Earth’s Best wipes, are they OK?
Hi Dawn,
thank you for asking the question. I could not locate Earth Best baby wipes’ ingredients on their website. I called them and requested the ingredients. When I receive the email and I will let you know what I think about the wipes. Thanks!
Thanks for the information and work that went into researching! I’m watching my baby niece next week and wanted to make sure that I’m using non-toxic products.
I have been using Pamper’s wipes for myself for years…..just so I can clean up after myself. Now what do I do?
Great article…..thank you for your research
Ellie, thank you for your nice comment! I am glad that you found my post useful. I believe the old-fashioned way – washable rags and castile soap (I highly recommend Dr. Bronner’s soap “>) is the healthiest and greenest alternative. Thank you for asking!
We’ve used Earth’s Best, as they were on sale. Those and Honest Co seem like the best, based on the ingredients. The only downside is that they can foam up a bit, a minor downside compared to what you find in conventional wipes.
Thank you, Irina, for your research and this valuable information. Would you recommend Aleva Naturals Bamboo Wipes or Attitude Eco-Baby Wipes?
Hi Anh! Thank you for reading my post and asking the question. From the first look at these baby wipes, I can tell you that they are a step up from the Kirkland Signature baby wipes. However, a few concerns jumped at me. In Aleva Naturals baby wipes I am the most concerned about Cocamidopropyl Betaine that may be contaminated with carcinogenic Nitrosamines (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701520/COCAMIDOPROPYL_BETAINE/). And even if it is not contaminated, I am not in favor of this ingredient because it was nominated Allergen of the Year by the dermatitis society (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18627690). As for Attitude baby wipes, my biggest concerns are Benzyl Alcohol that has been associated with contact allergy (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/700697/BENZYL_ALCOHOL/) and Sodium Benzoate that in combination with Citric Acid may form carcinogenic Benzene (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/726354/BENZENE/). I am not saying that the contaminants are present in these baby wipes. If you are still interested in them, you should contact the companies and ask them what they do to prevent the contamination from happening. By the way, I do personalized research for the subscribers to my blog. You are more than welcome to subscribe. No spam I promise. Only helpful free information once a week. Best, Irina
Thank you, Irina! With the information you have provided, I have decided to go with Honest wipes. I have also subscribed to your blog. Can’t wait for your weekly updates! Thank you again!
You made my day, Ahn!
Hi,
I contacted the ATTITUDE company and asked them what they do to prevent the contamination from happening between Sodium Benzoate that in combination with Citric Acid may form carcinogenic Benzene. Here is their reply for anyone interested in those baby wipes:
Regarding concerns about benzene formation related to sodium or potassium benzoate, our supplier certifies that this ingredient does not contain any Benzene nor does it contain any Benzene during the production process. Any formation or splitting of Benzene during the use is unlikely. Moreover, a US consultant, David Steinberg, told: “the formation of benzene by a reaction between citric acid and sodium benzoate is an urban legend with no basis in reality. It is chemically impossible for a salt (sodium benzoate) to react with an acid (citric or any other) to form a hydrocarbon (benzene).”
The only scientific articles found related benzene formation talk about ascorbic acid (vitamin C), not citric acid and sodium benzoate. In all of the comments, the formation is only possible under very specific conditions such as extreme pH and/or elevated temperature and/or UV light. ATTITUDE products do not have ascorbic acid, do not have extreme pH, are not stored/used under high temperatures and are not exposed to light.
Hope this helps! I personnally decided to go with those wipes (when needed)
Marie
Yes, that confirms my understanding that benzene may formed only when ascorbic acid, not citric acid, is reacted with sodium benzoate. Thank you, Marie, for your research!
I use the Huggies brand of wipes. I’m sure they’re just as bad as the Pampers and Kirkland but wondered if you knew for sure? It’s always so disappointing and discouraging to read about more baby products that have harmful chemicals in them. Convenience is cheap for the pocket book but potentially costly to our health. Thanks for doing the research and putting it out there so us other mommies can make better choices for our kids and the environment!
Thank you, Dana, for the nice words. I will do a post on Huggies baby wipes. Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you do not miss the post. Thanks!
Hi, I had been using the Kirkland Baby Wipes for about a year for my own personal hygiene and to take off my make-up. I had previously used Walmart Teddy’s brand (btw had not reaction to at all) but switched to Kirkland because of the price. Three months ago I started getting very irritated on my tush and went to my doctor who prescribe me a cream (which didn’t help at all). I had upped the use of the wipes to keep extra clean which only made matters worse…still at this point no realising it was the wipes. Then about 2 weeks ago I go blisters on both eye lids and it was then that I put 2 and 2 together and realised it was the wipes. Stopped using them right away and about 5 -6 days later things started clearing up.
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing this helpful information about Kirkland signature baby wipes!
This was extremely helpful – thank you! What about Whole Foods “365 Everyday Value Chlorine Free” Baby Wipes? I’ve been buying these for quite a while now, but I just looked at the ingredients and saw sodium hydroxymethylglycinate listed. Should I be concerned about these wipes containing formaldehyde and therefore possibly making them carcinogenic?
Hi, Carrie! I am glad you found my Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes post helpful! Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is one of the preservatives that is designed to release a small amount of formaldehyde into a product over time. Formaldehyde is a very potent toxin. Please see my post about it at http://www./formaldehyde-primer/ The amount of it is probably too small to adversely impact your baby’s health. However, small amounts here and there may accumulate in a human body over time. To be on a safe side, I would do everything possible to reduce our babies exposure to toxins. Among disposable wipes, I recommend Honest Baby Wipes or making your own cloth wipes.
Should I stop using the kirkland brand baby wipes? I’ve been using them for 2 months now and my baby hadnt had any reactions that I’ve noticed…
Thank you for your research. I’m an old Gramma now, so I just have one pack of wipes that I keep around for the occasional need, but it’s interesting to know that the plain old facecloth and water that I usually reach for is still the best option.
Great research !! Thank you. I have been a BIG user of Kirkland’s baby wipes. They are the only wipes of their size. All the others are tiny squares and hard to use. However, I would have never known about the toxic chemicals without clicking on your article. I was in the process of ordering another supply when I saw your article. Again, thank you for all of your research.
Thank you for your comment! I am glad that you find my research helpful. I hope you will find my other posts as helpful as this one.
I think your blog is great. Very easy to read, understand, and grasp. However, reading this latest article, I haven’t seen anything about prices. Many families are on a tight budget and shy away from what might be a better choice organically because of price. I am interested to read how families can not only buy safe products but do so frugally.
Hi, Kristin, thank you for your compliment and feedback. As I am a stay-at-home mom, I totally understand what it means to be on a tight budget. I always keep a price at the back of my mind and stay away from unreasonably expensive things. Non-toxic products do not have come with hefty price tags. I will try to be more explicit about prices in my upcoming posts. Again, thank you for your feedback!
that is not what my wipes say!! they have all the old ingredients listed !!!!