Is Seventh Generation Wipes Clean?

The Short Answer

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Wipes are Acceptable—safe for your baby, but not for the planet.

If your main concern is skin safety, these are a solid B+ option. They are free of the "Big Bad" ingredients like fragrance, alcohol, parabens, and phenoxyethanol. However, if you buy them thinking they are "green," you're being misled. The fabric is a blend of polyester and polypropylene, meaning you are wiping your baby with plastic that will sit in a landfill for centuries.

Why This Matters

Marketing can be deceptive. You see a leaf logo and the words "Seventh Generation," and you assume the product is biodegradable. It isn't.

While they are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, they lag behind true clean competitors like Is Honest Wipes Clean|Honest and Is Waterwipes Clean|WaterWipes, which have moved to 100% plant-based, compostable cloths. Seventh Generation is stuck in the middle: cleaner chemicals than Pampers, but dirtier materials than the top-tier eco-brands.

What's Actually In Seventh Generation Wipes

The ingredient list is short and relatively transparent. Here is the breakdown:

• Water — The main ingredient.
• Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate — A synthetic surfactant derived from coconut oil. It cleans the skin and boosts the preservative system. While technically "plant-derived," it is heavily processed.
• Sodium Benzoate — A synthetic preservative. Is Sodium Benzoate Safe
• Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract — A natural soapbark extract used for gentle cleansing.
• Citric Acid — Adjusts the pH to match baby's skin.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract — Soothing agent.
• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) — Skin conditioner.
• The Wipe Itself — Wood pulp, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene. (Plastic).

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• No Phenoxyethanol — This preservative causes skin irritation in many babies and is found in most conventional wipes.
• No Fragrance — Essential for preventing diaper rash. Is Fragrance In Baby Wipes Harmful
• Benzene-Safe Formula — A common myth is that Sodium Benzoate creates carcinogenic benzene. This only happens when combined with Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). These wipes use Citric Acid, making that reaction chemically impossible.

Red Flags:

• Plastic Fabric — The wipe contains polyethylene and polypropylene. It is not biodegradable.
• Sodium Benzoate — While safe from benzene, it can still be a mild skin irritant for babies with eczema.
• "Plant-Based" Marketing — They claim "plant-based ingredients," which is true for the liquid, but the wipe itself is partly synthetic petroleum.

The Best Options

If you want a truly clean wipe (both chemical-free and plastic-free), there are better options.

The Bottom Line

1. Use them without fear for your baby's health. They are non-toxic and unlikely to cause a reaction unless your baby is extremely sensitive to sodium benzoate.

2. Skip them if you are trying to reduce plastic waste. Every wipe you throw away is essentially a small plastic bag.

3. Upgrade to WaterWipes or Honest if you want a fully biodegradable option that is just as gentle.

FAQ

Do Seventh Generation wipes contain microplastics?

Yes. Because the wipe material is a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene, it contributes to microplastic pollution when it degrades in landfills.

Is Sodium Benzoate safe for babies?

Generally, yes. It is a food-grade preservative. While it can be a mild irritant for babies with severe eczema, it is significantly safer than methylisothiazolinone or parabens. Safest Baby Wipe

Are these wipes biodegradable?

No. The packaging often looks earthy, but the wipes contain plastic and must be thrown in the trash, not the compost bin.

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