Kirkland Premium Baby Wipes (Costco) contain hazardous ingredient

July 24, 2008

So Costco’s Kirkland brand baby wipes were my favorite wipes. After consulting the cosmeticsdatabase.com, I realized they have an extremely hazardous ingredient, 2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1,3-DIOL – it’s listed as a 10 – the highest level of hazard! Additionally, they contain PEG-75 LANOLIN which contains dioxanes (listed by the EPA as a probably human carcinogen); also contains PROPYLENE GLYCOL which is another ingredient one should avoid, and 4 other ingredients that are listed as a moderate hazard. So I will be changing wipes. I think I will go for some unbleached, organic cotton cloth wipes and just wash them. Plain ole water should not be a hazard, not to mention I will save money (which is important right now). Pitty I have been using Kirkland wipes for over 2 years.

The Cosmetics Database lists these as the top 10 wipes (again, I always recommend checking the database yourself and verifying the ingredients as the database is not always accurate as formulas frequently change, though maybe less often for baby wipes.) Their hazard ranking follows the name of the wipes (though please note again to check all ingredients as many contain parabens, propylene glycol and other harmful ingredients).

After looking at the ingredients, only Seventh Generation and Tushies contain all low hazard ingredients, so these are probably the only ones I will consider using in the future. I have heard good things about both. And these wipes are also whitened without the use of bleach! Yes, baby wipes as well as other paper goods, are whitened with bleach. And some of the residue may remain, so you are potentially wiping yours and your baby’s bottom with bleach. Yuck.

1. Seventh Generation Unscented Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E baby wipes 1
2. Tushies Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera, Unscented baby wipes 1
3. Mother Nature Wipes Unscented Natural Formula Flushable Wipes baby wipes 2
4. Inspiration Vibration VIBEbaby herbal baby wipes baby wipes 2
5. Avalon Organics FLUSHABLE BIODEGRADABLE BABY WIPES baby wipes 2
6. Avalon Baby Flushable Biodegradable Baby Wipes baby wipes 2
7. HUGGIES Natural Care Disposable Washcloths baby wipes 3
8. Pampers Wipes Sensitive baby wipes 3
9. Pampers Sensitive Touch Wipes, Alcohol Free baby wipes 3
10. Pampers Wipes Natural Aloe Unscented baby wipes 3

Happy wiping!

Entry Filed under: Baby, Children's Products, Infant/Toddler Articles, Infant/Toddler Health. Tags: Baby, baby products, baby wipes, costco, eco-friendly, environment, infant, infant health, kids health, kirkland, Parenting, Pregnancy.

6 Comments Add your own

1. Paige | July 24, 2008 at 10:29 am

RATS! I was considering to switching to plain cloth wipes too. Now I’m definitely considering it for home use. We also use Kirkland wipes! Thanks for your research and information.
Reply
2. Paula | August 1, 2008 at 10:24 pm

I’ve been using a spray bottle of water and witch hazel and thin little Gerber washcloths (sold in packs of 6 or 8, I think). It’s worked great.
Reply
3. tmlgal | August 2, 2008 at 2:09 pm

in india we always use water(luke warm) and then for rash Pure coconut oil that’s it.
Reply
4. Katherine | August 25, 2008 at 3:08 pm

I too have been using Kirkland Wipes, for 10 years. I’m really shocked! I have switched to cloth wipes too and it has been wonderful. I use one cloth verses 4 wipes per dirty diaper. I thank you so much for this information, I was so happy to find it after my mom- in-law sent me this study: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC267/24479/60746/652094.html?d=dmtContent
suggesting that wipes be used only when cloth were inconvenient.

Again, thank you!
Reply
5. Trisha | September 9, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Kathrine, thanks for sharing the article. I have seen similar articles, but I will add that one to the inventory! At least the gov just banned 6 types of phthalates in products for childtren under 12. It’s certainly a start, but they’ve got a long way to go!
Reply
6. Jim Conrads | September 17, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Thanks, I’ll be sure not to use those any more
Reply

Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed

Tweet, Tweet

RT @melissamoog: Did you know that there is a study that found breastfeeding reduces the chances of women getting breast cancer? 2 months ago
RT @greenparenting: BPA, PVC and lead free lunch boxes - it's back to school time http://bit.ly/7F1mr 2 months ago
RT @greenparenting @besttoysguide green toys: I LOVE Plan Toys. Here is a link to some non-toxic toys. http://bit.ly/gPuqI 3 months ago

CPSC child-related product recalls

Children's Art Easels Recalled by MacPherson's Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
The chalkboard surface coating contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Adventure Playsets Recall to Repair Backyard Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard
The plastic coated lumber on the horizontal ladder (monkey bar/swing beam) can weaken over time due to rotting of the whitewood (spruce, pine and fir species), resulting in a fall hazard.
Halloween Flashlights Sold Exclusively at Target Recalled Due to Burn Hazard
The flashlights can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Near Strangulation of Children Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Louis Hornick & Co.; Sold Exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond
Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
Near Strangulation of Child Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Whole Space; Sold Exclusively by Hanover Direct/Domestications
Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair IKEA Roller Blinds
Strangulations can occur if the blind's looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor with the tension device provided and a child's neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop.
CPSC Urges Parents and Caregivers to Stop Using "My Baby Soother" Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to immediately stop providing "My Baby Soother" pacifiers to their children. The pacifiers were distributed by T & L Trading Corp., of Brooklyn, N.Y. The pacifiers failed to meet federal safety standards because the nipples can separate from the base easily, pos […]
Flatware Recalled by Cambridge Silversmiths Due to Choking Hazard
The plastic decorative inserts on the flatware's handles can detach during dishwashing, posing a choking hazard to children.
Wooden Toys Recalled by Daiso Due to Choking Hazard
The toys have small parts that can break and detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Daiso Recalls Children's Toys, Purses and Pen Cases Due to Violation of Lead Paint and Phthalate Limits
The surface paint on the balancing toys and zippers of the purses and pen cases contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint ban. The inflatable baseball bat toys contain excessive levels of DEHP, violating the federal phthalate standard.

Issues affecting your family’s health