As a future parent, expect to rely heavily on a large amount of baby wipes. These versatile wipes come in handy for cleaning up diaper disasters and wiping your baby’s face after mealtime explorations. They are a crucial aspect of the parenting experience.
You need to know how long you can use the packages you buy, especially if you also receive a ton at baby showers.
Do baby wipes expire? Baby wipes don’t expire, but they do have a shelf life. You can use wipes for a very long time without any issues, and unopened wipes should stay moist for 2-3 years. Using wipes past their shelf life date might mean the quality is compromised, but they still won’t cause any safety problems.
Know all you can about wipes so you can decide how many boxes to stock up on before the baby arrives.
Baby Wipes Shelf Life
Baby wipes do have a shelf life, and it’s a good idea to use them before the quality of the product decreases immensely.
Do Baby Wipes Go Bad?
No, baby wipes don’t go bad in the same way that food goes bad after a certain date.
Even when wipes pass their shelf-life date, they can still be used without causing harm. They just might not be as effective due to drying out and other issues.
Most of your wipes will probably not make it past their shelf life anyway since babies go through so many.
Do Baby Wipes Have Preservatives?
Almost every baby wipe requires a preservative to keep mold from growing on the damp surface. It’s not avoidable in most cases, though you may find wipes that contain fewer preservatives than other brands.
If you’re concerned about preservatives, look for brands that use the least amount of them, and ensure they use the preservatives that are considered safest.
Do Baby Wipes Dry Out if Unopened?
If unopened, your wipes should stay moist for two or three years.
However, they may lose some dampness over time, and they will definitely dry out if used past the two- or three-year mark.
How Long Do Baby Wipes Last if Unopened?
You can keep unopened baby wipes around for two or three years, but make sure to check them when you do finally open them.
If they aren’t at all damp, then they may not do that great of a job cleaning up baby messes. You should also check to make sure there’s no mold growth.
You can attempt to remoisten wipes by adding water and a little bit of soap.
How Long Are Baby Wipes Good for After Opening?
Once you open wipes, use them within about a month. This shouldn’t be a problem at all if you have a baby and are changing dirty diapers all day.
In between uses, make sure to seal opened wipes in a closed container so they stay damp.
Uses for Dried-Out Baby Wipes
Sometimes the wipes get left open. It happens to the best of us. If you come back to a dried-out stack of baby wipes, don’t despair. You can still find creative ways to use them.
- Dust cloths for cleaning
- Remoisten to use to wipe down counters
- Use as tissues for blowing your nose
- Makeup removers
- Craft supplies
- Napkins
- Use as paper for kids to paint on
Related Questions:
Can You Use Baby Wipes on Your Face?
You can absolutely use baby wipes on your face. They can help clean off makeup and may help control oil buildup on the surface of your skin.
As with any new product you try, make sure you watch for any adverse reactions. If you want them to be moist for something like makeup removal, you might want to use them before their shelf life date has passed.
Do Baby Wipes Expire if Left Unopened?
No, baby wipes do not expire if left unopened. Though they have a shelf life where the quality of the product will decrease, they don’t expire in a way that could cause harm to the user.
Do Wet Wipes Expire?
No, wet wipes don’t expire. Like baby wipes, they do have a shelf life, but they don’t expire and become unusable after the shelf life date passes. You can assess them for quality and then make a decision about future use.
Final Thoughts
It’s safe to invest in baby wipes knowing you don’t have to worry about them expiring. They are available for use for years, but you likely won’t have to wait that long since babies go through them so quickly.
Kristy is the mother of four, including identical twins. With a background in education and research, she is constantly learning more about parenting and raising multiples. When she has spare time, she enjoys hiking into the woods with a great book to take a break.