Table of Contents
In this modern age of smart watches, home automation and self driving cars we tend to forget the essential conveniences in life. Flushing toilets, indoor plumbing, and warm showers come to mind.
All it takes is a weekend camping trip to help us remember how amazing showers and running water really are. Is there a better feeling than washing all the dirt, sweat and campfire residue from your body after a weekend of “roughing it”?
Just imagine how bad people smelled 200 years ago? Especially when bathing was a luxury available only to the upper classes of society.
We live in an exciting time when bathhouses have been replaced with Apple stores and every home has a shower or bath.
But even in this age of mind-blowing technological advancement, we often find ourselves without access to a shower.
The mid-day workout, the afternoon round of golf, the bike ride to work; these are the times you really need a shower – but don’t have the time or access to one.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if someone invented a portable shower? One that you could carry around in your pocket?
Oh wait… someone already did. It’s called a shower wipe.
When you can’t find a shower or just don’t have time for one, you’ll appreciate this nifty little invention. It’s an over-sized body wipe that quickly gets you clean and fresh… no matter where you are.
Here are 9 reasons you should consider packing shower wipes along with your other prized possessions.
9 Benefits of Body Wipes:
1. Convenient
2. Easy to Use
3. Antibacterial
4. Quick Freshen-Up
5. When You Can’t Shower
6. Hygienic Cleaning
7. Exfoliating
8. Wipes for Women
9. Wipes for Men
Today, a multitude of wipes exist for almost every imaginable use and niche. Body cleansing wipes are available for removing makeup, showering, wiping away sweat, sanitizing, and hygienic cleaning. There are exfoliating wipes, wipes for camping, wipes for traveling, workout wipes, and wipes for many, many other uses. Body wipes provide us with many benefits and consumers have come to rely on them.
1. Body Wipes are Convenient
Convenience is without a doubt the primary reason why body wipes have become so popular. Since their introduction in the early 1960s, hundreds of body wipe products for a wide range of diverse uses have become available. You can find them at your local grocery store, drug store, and online. Fast-paced lifestyles resulting from the contemporary demands of home, job, family, and recreational pursuits keep us busy all day long. We all love body wet wipes because they save us time.
Carrying the equivalent of a quick shower in your pocket or purse is a big deal for men and women on the go. No matter the situation, the ability to pull out a wipe and freshen up is one of the benefits of the modern age. Here’s a partial list of the different kinds of cleansing body wipes that are readily available.
2. Body Wipes Are Easy to Use
Going hand-in-hand with the convenience of using body wipes is their ease of use. No instructions are needed. Simply remove a body wipe from its individual wrapper or box and use it. Then, the used wipe goes in the trash or is flushed away. No rinsing, washing, or reusing the wipe is necessary.
For the most part, the disposal of body wipes has minimal environmental impact. Some flushable wipes can wreak havoc on community sewer systems–especially body wipes that are not made of cellulose fibers. Wipes made from materials other than cellulose (paper) biodegrade too slowly and can clog sewer system pumps.
3. Body Wipes Can Be Antibacterial
You don’t have to suffer from germaphobia (fear of germs) to use antibacterial body wipes. Touching surfaces in public places that have been touched by hordes of other people is a great way to catch something. Wipes provide us with a quick way to protect ourselves.
A common scenario can be found at your favorite grocery store. You walk in and go straight to the long line of nested shopping carts. You look at the handle and see some unidentifiable something smeared across the handle. So many sickening possibilities! You don’t want to catch something, so you reach for an antibacterial wipe from the dispenser placed near the door. You pull one out, and thoroughly wipe the handle clean. Afterward, you proceed merrily on your way, confident that any offending bacteria have been safely neutralized.
It’s not just shopping cart handles. It’s doorknobs, restaurant table-tops, handrails, and the weight machines at your gym. And–horror of horrors–children, too. In fact, children can be the grimiest and most germ-laden carriers of all.
Just about every company producing hygiene products offers antibacterial body wipes, too. Most contain triclosan or triclocarban, ingredients that were originally used only in hospitals. Recently, triclosan has come under scrutiny of the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). Recent studies find that using body wipes or soaps that contain triclosan have the potential to create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Additionally, triclosan-infused body wipes could disrupt your endocrine system. This effect, while not yet identified in humans, has been observed in multiple animal studies.
Many researchers now say that washing hands frequently with regular soap is just as effective as using an antibacterial wipe or antibacterial soap. But if soap and water are not available, an antibacterial body wipe may be just the thing you need in a pinch.
4. Body Wipes Are Great for a Quick Freshen-Up
Ever feel like you need to freshen-up after lunchtime run? Or when you’re on the road or between connecting flights? Perhaps you have a social event planned right after work. Anytime you need to freshen up but are short on time, personal body wipes can help you feel ready and rejuvenated.
A body cleansing wipe can clear away perspiration, dirt, and unpleasant odor, helping you feel refreshed and revitalized.
5. Wipes for When You Can’t Shower
You may be among those who can’t bear the thought of not taking a shower every day. But what about those times when showering is impossible? There will always be those times when taking a shower isn’t an option. It could be a camping trip, a long flight, an unexpected travel delay, or even an emergency situation. When it happens, having a supply of shower wipes or bath wipes can certainly brighten your day.
“Body shower” wipes have recently become quite popular among consumers. Some full-body shower wipes can even temporarily replace taking a shower. These wipes contain a mild cleaning solution, vitamin E, aloe vera, and they’re alcohol-free. They’re larger and thicker than typical body wipes, too–about the size of a standard washcloth but several times thicker.
Shower body wipes can remove sweat, body odor, and dirt. They also moisturize, dry quickly and leave no sticky residue. They’re safe for cleaning all areas of your body. Some have a medicinal smell that disappears quickly as the skin dries. Full body shower wipes are helpful for those who may be bedridden and unable to bathe.
As a real-world experiment, one man decided to see how long he could go without taking a shower, using only body cleansing wipes. After five consecutive days of using only shower body wipes, he felt reasonably clean and claims nobody knew he wasn’t taking a daily shower. He quit after the 5-day experiment because he began to develop redness and itching in his nether areas. The only other issue was the hair on his head. Shower wipes aren’t a substitute for shampoo.
6. Body Wipes for Hygienic Cleaning
Cleaning up “down there” has a long history– as long as humans have been roaming around planet earth. Before the advent of toilet paper, invented in the 19 century, we homo sapiens used dried leaves, clay, newspapers, and even Sears catalogs. Now, we have body cleansing wipes for use in the bathroom. What started out as a welcomed and convenient way to wipe baby bottoms has now grown into a billion-dollar business for adults, too.
However, there are differences of opinion among physicians as to the medical benefits of using body wipes as toilet paper. Some medical professionals say there’s no additional benefit compared to normal wiping with toilet paper, while others note that a sanitary wipe is more thorough. Most people would agree that using bathroom wipes just feels better.
Most leading brands of hygienic bathroom wipes are alcohol and paraben-free. They contain mild cleaning solutions and may contain aloe and vitamin E. Typically, these wipes are also fragrance-free. Because flushed wipes were known to clogging sewer systems, many wipes today are made with cellulose or plant-based fibers which biodegrade quickly.
7. Wipes for Exfoliating
Exfoliating wipes are different from facial cleaning wipes. While both are designed to clean the skin, exfoliating wipes are designed to remove dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and germs. The definition of exfoliate is “wash or rub with a granular substance to remove dead cells from the surface.” A good exfoliating wipe will unclog skin pores and allow your facial skin to breathe.
What exactly makes an exfoliating wipe different? The ingredients. Because exfoliating wipes are made to scrub and exfoliate, their texture will be rougher. Microbeads are the most common additive that gives exfoliating wipes the ability to remove dead skin without harming the living skin. Other ingredients may include oils, vitamins, glycerin, crushed oats, or wax beads.
8. Wipes for Women
Ladies, it’s easy to become dependent on body wipes for the face. It’s a great way to remove makeup. With hundreds of brands available in the makeup aisle or online, there’s something to meet the needs and wants of anyone wearing makeup. Yes, they’re easy to use, but here are some things you may not know about face wipes.
- Do makeup wipes clean effectively? While quick and convenient, some dermatologists say that face wipes may not be the best way to remove makeup at the end of a long day. Instead of cleansing and removing makeup, wipes may just be pushing the dirt and makeup around your visage. They may be even lead to clogged pores. But when soap and water aren’t available or you have time constraints, makeup wipes will certainly do.
- Wipes are different–so choose wisely. When shopping for facial wipes, remember there are differences. Some wipes are meant for removing eye makeup, while others are designed for deep cleaning. It’s important to carefully read the labels.
- Great for the beach. Facial cleansing wipes are great for a day in the sun and sand. You can use them to remove old sunscreen and to refresh your skin.
- Great for facial cleansing on the go. After a long plane, car or train ride, a facial cleansing wipe can help you feel reinvigorated. And, you won’t rile the TSA with a package of face wipes.
- Effective for removing stains. Facial body wipes can even remove small stains from your clothing. Gently pat a face wipe on a newly acquired stain and the stain will likely disappear. Don’t wait. If the stain has been there too long, all the rubbing in the world with your face wipe won’t do any good.
- Facial wipes are not a substitute for washing. While using a face wipe to remove makeup is quick and convenient, don’t get out of the habit of washing your face. A thorough and complete cleansing of the face still requires good ol’ soap (mild) and water.
- Get rid of deodorant stains. Don’t you hate it when you’re applying deodorant and accidentally get some on your dark shirt or dress? When that happens, grab a face wipe and gently wipe the stain away. This should take care of any unwanted deodorant residue.
- Clean up when dying hair. If you’re one who likes coloring your own hair, you know that when finished, there’s always dye on your forehead and neck. A face wipe will quickly and gently remove dye from your skin.
9. Wipes for Men
What wipes are formulated especially for men? Wipes for men contain fragrances and ingredients more suited to the masculine side. These face wipes are infused with an orange fragrance or other masculine-oriented colognes. They’re not made for removing makeup but will hydrate, refresh and soothe a man’s face.
Body Wipes – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about body wipes:
You know where babies come from, but do you know where body wipes come from?
Body wipes may seem like a fairly novel for everyday life in America, but their origin dates back almost 60 years. It all started with something called the Wet-Nap.
Arthur Julius, an American inventor, is credited with creating the first disposable wipe made for cleaning. Julius worked in the cosmetics industry. In 1958, he trademarked the name “Wet-Nap” for a small sheet of paper-like material saturated with a soapy solution. He worked to perfect his new innovation and introduced Wet-Naps to the world in 1960, at the National Restaurant Show. Three years later, the famous Colonel Sanders started using Wet-Naps in his Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants. Hungry customers used them to wipe away that “finger-lickin’-good” residue from their greasy fingers.
Other than a way to clean up after eating messy foods, wipes were used mainly for cleaning the bottoms of babies. Baby wipes are saturated with gentle cleaning solutions that don’t irritate the sensitive skin of infants. As technology improved and moistened wipes became more affordable, production of diaper wipes for babies boomed.
Do diaper wipes disinfect?
It may be surprising to learn that diaper wipes may be enough to clean dirty surfaces and eliminate a great number of germs. Baby wipes can kill some bacteria, especially those that come with that stuff that comes out of a baby’s bottom.
Can you use wet wipes as toilet paper?
A wet wipe may do a good job of cleaning your behind, but because they can contain alcohol or other cleaning agents not meant for “down there,” skin irritation may occur. Stick with flushable wipes for that job.
Is it okay not to shower after a workout?
Yes, you have our permission. Seriously, it’s not always possible to shower after a workout. When that’s the case, use one of the many no-shower body wipes that are available. They will clean and deodorize adequately until the next shower opportunity.
Do disinfecting wipes really work?
Disinfecting wipes are specifically formulated to kill germs on surfaces. The chemicals used in disinfecting wipes are not meant to be used on the body. They can cause skin irritation and trigger asthma and other allergies. Don’t use surface disinfecting wipes on your body.
Feel Cleaner with a Body Wipe
Life in the 21st century is fast-paced, hectic and demanding. The advent of body wipes for a multitude of uses helps you cope when time is scarce and you’re on the go. Shower wipes are great for when bathing or showering is not possible. Flushable wipes make it possible to clean your nether regions as never before. Antiperspirant wipes can solve an embarrassing problem with excessive sweating. Facial and exfoliating wipes can be indispensable for removing old makeup and caring for your face. What would your life be like without wipes?
You might also like...
How To Prevent Swamp Crotch (And Get Rid Of It For Good)
We need to talk about swamp crotch. Yes. The unpleasant sensation you have — sometimes during a hot summer’s day, sometimes
Tips for Smelly Armpits and Toe-Curling Underarm Odor
Table of Contents Have you ever caught someone -or yourself- doing the infamous pit check? You catch a whiff of
Why Do I Have Stinky Feet -and- 12 Tips to Get Rid of Smelly Foot Odor
Smelly feet can be as embarrassing as public flatulence. Sure, stinky feet may not be as audible. But unlike an
