Babies require a lot of baby wipes.

But, the average wet wipe can cause some serious environmental damage. Like traditional disposable diapers, most are made of plastic, which isn’t biodegradable and end up piling up in our landfills and sewage systems.

Enter biodegradable baby wipes, made of eco-friendly material that decomposes quickly and naturally. Plus, they’re gentler on your baby’s skin, too.

If you're ready to make a change for the better, check out the 10 best biodegradable wipes around.

Biodegradable Baby Wipes vs. Traditional Wipes

Well, you might not, but the environment does.

If you’re already doing your bit for the environment by cloth diapering (or at least using biodegradable disposable diapers), well done — the planet needs it. But if you’re using regular wipes, there’s still room for improvement.

Run-of-the-mill disposable wipes are largely made up of polyester or polypropylene fibers — plastics. And just like other plastics, synthetic wipes take an awfully long time to break down.

A hundred years, to be exact.

The impact this has on the environment is huge. Sewers are becoming clogged, marine life is dying, and landfills are piling up.

Biodegradable wipes are made of natural materials and usually break down in a matter of weeks, delivering the convenience you love in a much more eco-friendly package.

How to Choose Eco-Friendly Wipes

Not all natural wipes are created equal, so I outlined my personal rating system to make finding the perfect pack a little easier.

Eco-friendliness: They should be constructed from sustainable natural resources and break down quickly. Forget about “flushable” wipes altogether. No matter how flushable a wipe claims to be, there’s still a good chance of it plugging up your plumbing or ending up in the ocean.

Function: NOBODY likes having poop smeared on their hands. Environmentally friendly wipes can and should be just as effective as traditional ones. They should also be made with clean ingredients that are safe for your baby’s delicate skin. So, remember — tough construction, gentle ingredients.

Comfort: Even if a wipe is eco-friendly with sturdy construction and skin-friendly ingredients, a rough texture can still irritate tender tushies. If possible, try to find something with that's soft and comfortable.

Price: You shouldn't pay more than you have to. I compared similar products and stacked the prices against one another to help you find out if the cost is worth it.

Still here? Great. Check out my favorite biodegradable wipes.

They’re a little pricier, but these award-winning biodegradable wipes are made by an amazing company serious about protecting not only the environment, but sensitive skin. They’re transparent about ingredients, plus you’ll be happy to find that these are perfectly moist.

#2
Bum Boosa Bamboo Wipes

When it comes to saving the planet, this company is extremely proactive. In fact, for every package sold, these guys plant a tree.

As for the wipes, well, they're great for the environment too. A 100% bamboo fiber construction means they're fully biodegradable and easy on the planet.

They're also beautifully soft, nice and stretchy, and smell absolutely amazing, thanks to the addition of lavender and sweet orange essential oils.

#3
Aleva Naturals Natural Bamboo Baby Wipes

Made entirely of rayon from bamboo, these eco-friendly wipes are 100% biodegradable and break down in approximately 21 days — pretty darn impressive if you ask me.

They’re also free of nasty chemicals, gentle on delicate skin, and they even have a mild natural scent.

But that's not all — these babies are backed by a no questions asked customer satisfaction guarantee, so realistically, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying them out.

#4
Caboo Bamboo Wipes

These wipes are made of 100% organic bamboo and 99.7% natural ingredients, so they're good for the environment and easy on sensitive skin.

But this company doesn’t just harvest any bamboo. These guys are panda-friendly, so you can rest easy knowing you didn't steal some poor bear’s lunch to wipe your baby’s butt.

They're also enriched with vitamin E, aloe vera, and chamomile to nourish while they clean — win-win.

#5
Natracare Organic Cotton Baby Wipes

If you’re looking for organic wipes, these are a great choice. Stamped with the Soil Association's seal of approval, they're made of 100% certified organic cotton infused with organic essential oils and plant extracts. They're also ultra-soft and gentle on tiny tushies.

They are perfumed, however, so if you have a sensitive nose, you might want to give these wipes a miss.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes, they are biodegradable and compostable.

#6
Wysi Wipes Wysi Baby Starter Kit

Not your average wipes, these come in tablet form and expand once moisture is added. The beauty of this is having complete control over what goes into your wipes. For instance, you could keep things simple with good ol’ H2O or add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance — it's all up to you.

Personally, I wouldn't want to go through this process every time I need a wipe, but I'd totally stash them in my bag for on-the-go use or in case of emergencies. And, yes, they're biodegradable and eco-friendly.

#7
The Honest Company Fragrance Free Wet Wipes

Amazingly thick and soft with just the right level of moisture, these wipes add a touch of indulgence to going green. In fact, they’re so good that, more often than not, a single wipe is enough to take care of business.

So, if they’re so great, why so low on the list? Well, they’re made of plant-based materials and they’re labeled as being biodegradable, but they come with a disclaimer that states they “biodegrade in municipal/industrial facilities”, so these wipes definitely aren’t going to compost in your backyard any time soon.

#8
Happy Little Camper Flushable Baby Wipes

They’re not as popular as others on our list, but, seriously, they're just as good. With a natural cotton construction, gentle ingredients and hydrating organic aloe vera, these wipes are as good for sensitive skin as they are for the environment.

They also meet the inda and edana guidelines for flushability, so if you really, truly, absolutely have to have flushable wipes, these might be the way to go. But, hey, why not do your plumbing, your local sewer system, and marine life a favor and just forget about flushing wipes altogether?

(Psst, want in on a secret? I dropped a point on these simply because they’re marketed as being flushable — in case you haven't guessed by now, wipes REALLY shouldn't be flushed).

#9
Simpleaf For Babies Flushable Wipes, Travel Pack

Yup, another flushable option that's losing points simply for being advertised as flushable. Think I'm crazy? Well, you're right — I am. Crazy concerned about the planet, that is.

Anyway, aside from that environmental faux pas, these wipes are pretty decent. They're made of plant-based materials, so you know they're not going to be hanging around for too long.

Performance-wise, they're strong enough not to rip when you're cleaning up the remnants of this morning’s meal and they’re enriched with aloe extract to help keep baby bums soft and smooth.

#10
Babyganics Flushable Baby Wipes

Overall, these are great wipes. They're plant-based, fully biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and dermatologically tested to be safe for sensitive skin.

They're also priced competitively, and the fact that this is a well-known brand doesn't hurt either.

However, they lost a couple of points for being marketed as flushable (although they're tested to meet flushability guidelines, I just don't feel good about this practice) and for being a little flimsier than most of their competitors.

That said, if you're loyal to the brand and the above-mentioned points just don't bother you, there’s no reason not to go with these wipes.

There you go. 10 awesome options to help you take care of everyday messes and the planet.