If you have a newborn or toddler, then you most likely have bought and used tons of wipes. It is not rare for parents to buy (or at least consider buying) wipes in bulk. If you are thinking of doing the same, you may wonder how long do baby wipes last before they become unsafe to use? What about the expiration date? Keep reading below to discover the answer.
What You Need to Know About Baby Wipes
Before you get into the answer of doing baby wipes expire, here are some things you need to know about this specific product:
- They can dry out
If you’re wondering do baby wipes dry out, the answer is yes, they do dry out. The moisture bears typically consists of 9:1 ratio of water and other ingredients such as oil, moisturizers, mild detergents, etc. As they contain high water content, they can evaporate quickly if you open and don’t close the pack.
- They can obtain mold and bacteria
Mold, mildew, and bacteria thrive best in moist environments, including baby wipes. It is not an exception, even for the best baby wipes brands and products. Those made without antiseptic and preservatives agents are even more prone to these issues.
That’s why it’s essential to check if the wipes display green, greyish, to black specks, smell odd, or feel strangely slimy. Throw the pack immediately if you notice these signs. Even the smallest bit of mold and bacteria may cause infection and irritation on a baby’s sensitive skin.
- Their effectiveness can decrease
As mentioned, baby wipes usually contain some preservative ingredients, which can collect into the bottom of the pack after a certain period of time. Other ingredients like detergents and moisturizers are also likely to degrade.
Testing if the wipes are still effective is actually quite easy. You only need to rub them against your skin and determine if it still feels somewhat soapy. As an alternative, observe the sides or bottom of the pack to see if there’s any residue.
How Long Before Baby Wipes Expire and How Many You Will Need
Majority of baby wipe products are claimed to last for two to three years after the manufacturing date, but only for four weeks if the pack has been opened. However, it’s important to note that wipes don’t expire like how food does. In general, it is usually safe to use the products even after the expiration date if they still smell, look, or feel decent. Still, if you have doubts about using expired wipes on the skin of your baby, then it’s best to just open and use another pack.
Speaking of using another pack, you may also wonder how many baby wipes do I need? On average, parents use approximately 900 sheets of wipes per month for a newborn. The number decreased to almost half as the baby got older. Assuming one pack of wipes consists of 50-60 sheets, you’re likely to have 8-16 packs each month.
Aside from paying attention to how long do baby wipes last, the way you store the wipes also matters. Make sure the wipes are stored in dry and cool place without direct sunlight or extreme heat to make the most out of their lifespan and prevent contamination.
