The Short Answer
The Honest Company is the clear winner. Their wipes are 100% plastic-free, fully compostable, and use a textured "grip" pattern that makes cleaning messy diapers significantly easier.
Seventh Generation marketing relies heavily on their "Free & Clear" branding, but the wipes themselves are a blend of wood pulp and plastic (polypropylene or polyester). They also use a synthetic cleaning agent that many parents find leaves a slippery, foamy residue on baby skin. Unless you are strictly budget-constrained, Honest is the superior, safer, and more eco-friendly choice.
Why This Matters
The "natural" baby aisle is confusing. You might assume Seventh Generationāa brand built on eco-friendlinessāwould sell a plastic-free wipe. They don't.
Most conventional wipes (like Pampers and Huggies) are made of plastic. When a "green" brand like Seventh Generation uses a plastic blend, they are contributing to the same landfill problem as the big guys. Honest, heavily criticized in the past for other issues, has actually delivered a truly compostable, plastic-free wipe.
Texture also matters. Smooth wipes (like Seventh Generation) tend to smear poop rather than lift it. Textured wipes (like Honest) act like a tiny washcloth, requiring fewer wipes per change.
What's Actually In Them
The Honest Company (Clean Conscious Wipes)
Honest uses a "medical-grade" cloth made from rayon (viscose), which is derived from plants.
- Rayon (Viscose) ā 100% plant-based fiber. Compostable. Is Honest Wipes Clean
- Sodium Benzoate ā A standard food-grade preservative. Safe in low concentrations.
- Decyl Glucoside ā A gentle, sugar-derived cleanser.
- Chamomile & Cucumber Extract ā Soothing agents.
Seventh Generation (Free & Clear)
Seventh Generation uses a "Soft Wipe Material" that they disclose as a blend of wood pulp, polyethylene, and polypropylene in many formulations.
- Wood Pulp / Polypropylene Blend ā Contains plastic. Not compostable. Is Seventh Generation Wipes Clean
- Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate ā A synthetic surfactant that boosts cleaning but causes the "foamy" feel users complain about.
- Sodium Benzoate ā Preservative.
Performance Comparison
| Feature | Honest Company | Seventh Generation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 100% Plant-Based Rayon | Wood Pulp + Plastic Blend | Honest |
| Texture | Embossed (Grippy) | Smooth (Slippery) | Honest |
| Moisture | Moderate (Just right) | High (Can be soapy) | Honest |
| Residue | None | Foamy/Soapy film | Honest |
| Price | ~$0.07 / wipe | ~$0.05 / wipe | Seventh Gen |
The Bottom Line
1. Buy Honest Wipes if you want a plastic-free option that actually grips the mess. The texture alone saves you 1-2 wipes per diaper change.
2. Skip Seventh Generation if you are trying to avoid plastic or synthetic surfactants. The "soapy" feel is a dealbreaker for many parents who don't want to leave detergent on their baby's skin.
3. Check the label. If you do buy Seventh Generation, look closely at the packageāthey occasionally release "compostable" versions, but the standard bulk box is plastic.
FAQ
Do Seventh Generation wipes contain plastic?
Yes. Most Seventh Generation baby wipes are made from a blend of wood pulp and polypropylene or polyester. They are not biodegradable or compostable.
Why do Seventh Generation wipes foam?
They contain Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, a synthetic cleaning agent. Unlike water-based wipes (like Waterwipes Vs Pampers Pure), these act more like a mild soap, creating suds when you wipe.
Are Honest wipes compostable?
Yes. Honest wipes are made from 100% plant-based viscose and will compost in a municipal facility in about 6-8 weeks. Do not compost poop-filled wipes in your home garden.
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