When you pick up a pack of wet wipes, they may all look similar from the outside. But inside, the differences can be huge! Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, makeup remover wipes… each type is carefully designed with different functions in mind.
The secret lies in the material (spunlace nonwoven fabric) and the liquid content (pure water + added ingredients). Let’s break it down in a simple way.
1️⃣ Different Functions of Wet Wipes
- Baby Wipes 👶
- Made with very soft spunlace nonwoven fabric.
- Formula: up to 99% pure water, plus tiny amounts of moisturizers and mild preservatives.
- Purpose: Gentle, safe, and non-irritating — perfect for delicate baby skin.
- Daily Care Wipes 🧻
- Used for hands, face, or quick clean-ups.
- Formula: around 95% water, plus mild cleansing or skincare agents.
- Purpose: Convenient, affordable, and versatile.
- Disinfectant Wipes 🧴
- Designed for cleaning public surfaces or sanitizing hands.
- Formula: Spunlace nonwoven + pure water + alcohol or antibacterial agents.
- Purpose: Strong germ-killing ability, but not always suitable for frequent skin use.
- Makeup Remover Wipes 💄
- Specially developed for removing makeup and dirt.
- Formula: Pure water + cleansing ingredients + skincare actives (e.g., vitamin E, hyaluronic acid).
- Purpose: Strong cleansing effect, portable, skincare-friendly.
2️⃣ The Balance of Spunlace Nonwoven & Pure Water
Think of wet wipes as a recipe:
- Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric (30%–40%)
- Acts as the “backbone” of the wipe.
- Determines softness, strength, and absorbency.
- Baby wipes usually use softer fibers, while disinfectant wipes need stronger fabric.
- Pure Water (60%–70%)
- Provides hydration, cleaning, and freshness.
- In baby wipes, the water ratio is higher to keep the formula mild.
- In disinfectant wipes, the water ratio is lower, because functional ingredients (like alcohol) take up more space.
3️⃣ Quick Example of Ratios
- Baby wipes → 30% spunlace + ~68% pure water + 2% mild additives
- Daily wipes → 35% spunlace + ~62% pure water + 3%–5% cleansers/skincare agents
- Disinfectant wipes → 40% spunlace + ~55% pure water + 5%–10% alcohol/antibacterial agents
- Makeup wipes → 35% spunlace + ~58% pure water + 7%–10% cleansing & skincare ingredients
Here’s a side-by-side bar chart comparing the composition of different wet wipes. 📊
4️⃣ Final Thoughts
Not all wipes are created equal! 🧴
- If you’re buying for babies, choose high-purity water wipes.
- For everyday convenience, go with daily care wipes.
- For public places or travel, carry disinfectant wipes.
- For cosmetics, pick makeup remover wipes designed for skincare.
By understanding the balance between spunlace nonwoven fabric and pure water, you’ll know exactly which type of wet wipe fits your needs best.