Disinfecting Wipes Put in Garbage Cart/Bin Absolutely Not Flushable Wipes should never be flushed down the toilet — even if labeled as “flushable.” Wipes do not break down as they move onto the water treatment plant and clog the filtering screens. Ways to Reduce Use Cleaning Cloths Instead Consider switching to reusable cleaning cloths. Cloth wipes are more eco-friendly because they can be washed and reused. Use Paper Towels Instead If set on a disposable option, consider switching to paper towels. Paper towels are more eco-friendly because they are plastic-free. Purchase Natural Cleaners Consider switching to more eco-friendly cleaners. Chemical cleaners can expose your household to a variety of harmful ingredients and gases. Check out the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning or follow these easy recipes from Real Simple to make your own natural cleaners. Use Up Products Avoid throwing away partially full containers; try to use up the wipes completely before disposing of them. This increases the lifespan of these products, reduces waste and saves money. Did You Know? Disinfecting Wipes Can Be Harmful to Your Health The chemicals in disinfecting wipes are known to trigger asthma, allergies, and other health concerns. Read more from EWG. Not All Cleaning Wipes are the Same Did you know there’s a difference between cleaning and disinfecting wipes? While cleaning wipes do help to remove some dirt, bacteria, and germs, disinfectant wipes will kill specific bacteria and germs as indicated on labels. Not all disinfectant wipes can be used interchangeably, so make sure the wipes you are using actually fit your needs.