• Comments (25)

    • 4
      Expecting Spam - March 1, 2018

      This was an excellent post, but it failed too take into account two important factors:
      1) Longterm storage. Can the wipes be stored for a long period of time? Can they be rehydrated if they dry out?
      2) Cost. There are significant differences in unit cost that were not explicitly taken into account.

      • 6
        John AdamaStaff - March 5, 2018

        Thanks for the feedback! Only way we’ll know what’s most helpful to people. I hadn’t originally included unit cost since the winners were clear due to other factors and the price points were low, but I’ll make note to include both your suggestions when we update the article.

      • 5
        Jonnie PekelnyContributor - February 3, 2019

        I too would like to know about long term storage. Specifically how long an unopened and open pack will last before needing to be replaced. I don’t know if you guys can get that info. Very helpful write up overall.

      • 5
        John AdamaStaff - February 4, 2019

        Will measure that more precisely for the update. Anecdotally, they’ll stay moist for a few months (trailing off along the way), provided you re-seal the bag well.

    • 5
      Haley - May 17, 2018

      Great informative post! Something stuck out to me, however: “Each wipe-shower started on the left foot and followed the same path and method across the body.” This is fine for testing, but normally when using the same wipe over multiple body parts it makes sense to follow the same sanitary order as sponge bathing and go from more sanitary areas to less sanitary areas: something like face, then underarms, then groin, buttocks, and finally feet at the very end.

      • 4
        John AdamaStaff - May 17, 2018

        Thanks, makes sense, and will keep it in mind for any future tests! I think in this case it was OK, because we were essentially testing the relative “duration” of each wipe, so as long as it was apples to apples I think that likely came out accurately.

      • 3
        Haley - May 18, 2018

        Yup, makes sense, and again I think it’s probably fine when your testers are otherwise bathing regularly and not in an emergency situation. Someone in the field using these in place of a bath, however, should not mimic your testing method but should follow sanitary order for hygiene/health purposes.

    • 5
      Eric | PowerOnBagsdotCom - July 11, 2018

      Another useful info here, John! There were times that there wasn’t any water supply in our area (I live on the top most floor of the building) and not having a bath made me “unhuman”, to say the least. I smirked a little at title of the article but suddenly realized that these situations will not be funny once SHTF. So, again, I’m having myself going back to your website over and over again and learning new things. You and your team are doing a helluva job testing out these products. My utmost respect to your dedication — Eric.

      • 2
        John AdamaStaff - July 12, 2018

        Thanks so much for the kind words, Eric! It’s actually just me for now, but I’m working to get more content out more quickly.

        I used to look at survival situations and think creature comforts were something you could hand waive away. But after spending time in the bush, not feeling clean is easily one of the most annoying things. Plus it’s easy to solve and has a big ROI – not the least of which is if you feel better, you think better, and thus you’re more likely to avoid stupid decisions.

    • 5
      EagleScoutGantz - March 8, 2020

      Great review.  Would love to see this updated to know which are recommended for their antimicrobial properties.  I just bought a pack of the Sea to Summit Wilderness wipes at REI and it is not clear if they will kill germs. I have some KleenHanz which clearly state that they kill 99.99% of germs.  I also picked up some NoRinse Body Wash at REI for less than $2, which might work, but again no statement by the manufacturer or reviews that discuss thei antimicrobial properties.

      • 6
        John AdamaStaff - March 9, 2020

        Thanks! FWIW, we’ve heard some companies are gun shy when talking about antimicrobial properties, since there’s been recent government action against products making those claims too broadly.

    • 6
      Bigwig - April 17, 2020

      Thanks for the post.  I think there is an error on the best wipes title/image.  The name and supporting paragraph in one section states Clean Trek Towels but the image and one of the headers is for Combat Wipes Active. I understand that Clean Trek Towels were taken off the market, but you may want that section to reflect your original Clean Trek Towels recommendation.  It looks like I purchased 4 packs a few years ago, so I guess I got lucky.

    • 3
      Alicia - June 26, 2020

      Thanks for all the details, John.  I have liked the Surviveware Biodegradable wipes.  They are a large 9×12″ (if I recall correctly) and aren’t scented which is a plus in my book.  The passed the ‘entire body’ test and come in several packaging options – individual and multipacks.  They aren’t cheap but will compost according to their tests.  Something else I’m looking for whenever possible in my prepping.

    • 2
      Gideon ParkerStaff - October 28, 2021

      Another brand of body cleaning wipe that I came across lately is made by a brand called Klean Freak. They have giant 11X11 whole body wipes that are incredibly strong, made with natural ingredients, and come in many scents like peppermint, tea tree, coconut, citrus, and more.

      klean freak

    • 2
      July LewisContributor - September 19, 2022

      I got these for my bug out bag a few years ago on your recommendation. Hadn’t used them. My sister has been doing a lot of bike camping and found she was allergic to the wipes she had, so I offered her these- she loves them! Gotta get another pack now…

      • 2
        July LewisContributor - September 20, 2022

        Ugh just realized – I had the originally recommended product, Clean Trek. Just checked the article update saying that it is no longer available. Will try one of the other recommendations.

      • 2
        Alicia - September 20, 2022

        I’ll check the individually wrapped Surviveware Biodegradable one that has been in my glove box since my post 2+ years ago.  It’s been in 100F degree temps for a good part of that time.    Would be good to learn if it’s still viable.  I’ll edit this post once I do.  

      • 1
        Gideon ParkerStaff - September 20, 2022

        Thank you both for your input and experiences! It really helps guide others to what people like.

      • 1
        Alicia - September 25, 2022

        Well, the Surviveware biodegradable individually wrapped wipes are all dried out after 2+ years in my car’s glovebox.  They state 1-2 year shelf life, so this is as advertised.  And also what the review article states.  But also, I couldn’t easily find an expiration date on the individual package.  

        I guess I expect longer given I’ve had alcohol wipes last ages.  

      • 1
        Alicia - September 25, 2022

        Which brand of wipes did your sister have a reaction to? 

      • 2
        July LewisContributor - September 26, 2022

        I don’t know what brand they were, but they had almond oil in them and she’s allergic to tree nuts! 

      • 1
        Peter 44 - September 28, 2022

        That would be a difficult allergy to live with. You have to check labels on everything, even body wipes.

      • 2
        Alicia - October 3, 2022

        That is such a common allergy, too.  Remarkable that a manufacturer would include it.  

    • 3
      Cat M - October 16, 2022

      Since many of the recommended products have been discontinued, I’d like to suggest looking at ones marketed to long-term care homes for washing people who can’t get up to bathe. (this is probably the rationale behind the ones that recommend using multiple wipes – avoiding spreading potential infections from more germy areas to less germy areas).  I’ve used these kinds of wipes when camping and since they are marketed to LTC facilities, the prices tend to be better (assuming you can find them in a quantity that isn’t outrageous)

      • 2
        Gideon ParkerStaff - October 16, 2022

        That’s a great tip! Where do you find such wipes?

      • 1
        Steanson Parks, Jr. - April 17, 2023

        Same! I’m a paramedic, and oftentimes when transferring a patient out of an ICU, I’ll ask the nurse if I could take the (unopened) “bath wipes”. Their response has always been “Sure. Just gonna throw them out anyway.”

        Also, as a backpacker, traveling light means not carrying a heavy “wet” brick. So I’ll leave the wipes open, let the water evaporate, and now have a package of DRY wipes that rehydrate easily with a little canteen water.