I keep a box of inexpensive baby wipes (odor free) in my bathroom. I not only use them for quick cleaning of my face or hands, but I use them often to quickly wipe up a dirty sink or bathtub, around my toilet, on the lid or toilet seat and even use them to wipe up chrome faucets. If I use one on the bathroom sink I use it on the chrome too and if it isn't 'used-up' yet I will keep it handy throughout the day to use again for quick wipe-ups. I find they are good throughout the house to wipe around windows, use on window blinds, etc. The uses are endless. The only problem I have is if they are used on a mirror they might leave streaks. If reused they will last forever and their strength is sufficient for most quick cleaning jobs. If they dry out throughout the day just rinse them under warm water.By Karen from Davis, CA
I found this out by accident one day when the vanity top needed cleaning. Instead of running to the laundry room to retrieve a rag and spray cleaner, I saw the box of wipes and decided to try using one. It worked like a charm. I like your idea of buying a very inexpensive container of them just for this purpose....of course, they can still be used for their intended purpose too. I have found too that if they dry out, just put under running water and they are good to go again. The Clorox and Lysol cleaning wipes are good too; however more expensive. For doing a quick in between clean up the baby wipes are perfectly fine. I've also cleaned off the vanity with just wet kleenex in a pinch! (06/04/2008)
I make my own wipes for bathroom and kitchen and reuse the container. Cut paper towels 2 times and you have enough for 3 containers.. For the liquid use the recipes found here on thrifty and they are even cheaper than the cheap baby wipes and last a lot longer.(06/05/2008)
By Kathleen
They are also good quick spot remover for clothing! Works great!
(06/05/2008)
By Karen Lawson
I just found out yesterday, from my sister, that they also take permanent marker off skin. My 2 year old great nephew got hold of a maker and my niece was wiping him off with a baby wipe and found out it took off permanent marker also. Great tip for me, cause my 7yr old DD gets it on her hands a lot. (06/07/2008)
By janice
I love Viva paper towels so much that I keep a roll in a paper towel holder in my bathroom. They're just as soft as any washcloths. I use them to wash my face in the morning then I use the same towel to wipe down the sink after brushing my teeth. If I don't buy the select-a-size version, I'll use just a half a sheet when I tear it along the perforations. (06/11/2008)
By Pearl
I will be trying this and once the box is empty making my own version with some inexpensive dollar store cleanser and paper towels. (06/22/2008)
By
All the suggestions are great uses for baby wipes I believe a couple of years ago it was Ophrah who got excited when finding out the wipes took a stain off a good blouse she had on. Just one thing anyone who lives in the country and is on a septic system for their sewage. We were in our house less than a year when the septic system started to cause problems.
Why not use real bathroom, kitchen or glass wipes? Many contain antiseptics to kill germs, which is great in the bathroom and kitchen sink, especially if you cut poultry. Some also have perfume if you want to freshen your bathroom. And glass wipes are pretty mild and leave no streaks or residues. The best thing is that I get No-Name brands of these wipes at my local 99 Cents store. I get approximately 20-40 sheets for a buck here in NYC.
Baby wipes are not a great idea for several reasons.
1) The thing that makes it a baby wipe is the inclusion of lotion, i.e. moisturizers. That leaves a residue like soap scum. Since the moisturizers are either made from lanolin (wax) or mineral oil, surfaces become slippery and and sticky, which attracts dust. Oil is also bad for some plastics and rubbers (that's why water-based lubricants are used for latex condoms).
2) Since it may contain oil, it's obviously ineffective for cleaning greasy surfaces.
3) The fact that it's made for a baby's skin also means that it's extremely weak as a cleanser. It's unlikely to be any more effective than water on dirt that you wouldn't encounter on a baby's skin.
4) The texture is made extremely soft and smooth for a baby's skin. A rougher texture is better for cleaning.
5) Baby wipes are relatively expensive because of the ingredients and soft, thick material.
By bryguy
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