BIOM Wipes: The Planet's First Refillable, Biodegradable Wipe System
Conventional wipes are made from plastic fibers, loaded with synthetic chemicals, and take decades to break down. BIOM created a 100% plant-based, refillable wipe system that biodegrades in under 14 days.
If you're a parent, you go through wipes like water. Hands, faces, countertops, highchair trays, mystery stickiness on the car seat — wipes are the unsung hero of family life. But most conventional wipes have two big problems: what they're made of and what happens to them after you throw them away.
What's Wrong with Conventional Wipes
They're plastic. Most conventional wipes — including many marketed as "natural" or "gentle" — are made from polyester or polypropylene fibers. These are synthetic plastics woven into a cloth and saturated with liquid. They don't biodegrade. They sit in landfills for decades, and when they do break down, they fragment into microplastics that end up in soil and waterways.
A 2022 study in the journal Water Research found that wet wipes are one of the largest contributors to microplastic pollution in sewage systems. Flushed wipes cause an estimated 300,000 sewer blockages per year in the UK alone — and the US numbers are even higher.
They're loaded with chemicals. Conventional wipes typically contain phenoxyethanol (a synthetic preservative the FDA has flagged for infant safety concerns), polysorbate-20 (an emulsifier that may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen per the EPA), and synthetic fragrances that can represent dozens of undisclosed chemicals including known allergens and potential endocrine disruptors.
Polyester fibers release microplastics every time you wipe — on your countertops, on your hands, on your baby's skin. A 2019 study in Pediatric Dermatology found that wipe preservatives and surfactants were among the top contact allergens in children with dermatitis.
The Clean Alternative: BIOM Wipes
BIOM built what they call the planet's first refillable, biodegradable wipe system — and when you see how it works, it's one of those "why didn't someone do this sooner?" moments.
100% plant-based fibers. Every BIOM wipe is made from viscose — blended wood pulp that's 100% plant-derived. No polyester. No polypropylene. No plastic of any kind. The fibers biodegrade in under 14 days under aerobic conditions and under 28 days anaerobically. Compare that to conventional wipes that persist in landfills for decades.
Microplastic-free. This is a big deal. Because BIOM wipes contain zero synthetic fibers, they release zero microplastics. When you wipe your child's face or clean a kitchen counter, you're not leaving behind invisible plastic particles.
Aloe-infused and dermatologist-approved. The wipes are formulated with aloe for gentle cleansing. They're safe for hands, faces, and all-purpose cleanup — everything families actually use wipes for throughout the day.
The refillable dispenser system. Instead of tossing plastic packaging with every pack, BIOM uses a reusable dispenser that you simply refill with new wipe rolls. It's a small change that eliminates a surprising amount of single-use plastic waste over time. The dispenser is well-designed — one-handed operation (because parents always have the other hand occupied), clean dispensing, and it looks good enough to leave on the counter.
Essential oil scent options or fragrance-free. BIOM offers scented versions using real essential oils (Alpine Mint, Bergamot) as well as completely fragrance-free options. No synthetic fragrances, no masking agents — just genuine choices for different preferences.
Real-World Performance
Let's talk about what actually matters: do they work?
Yes. BIOM wipes are thick and sturdy — noticeably more substantial than the thin, slippery feel of conventional wipes. They hold up during messy cleanups without tearing, which is a common complaint with some eco-friendly wipe brands that sacrifice durability.
They're wet enough to clean effectively without being oversaturated. The plant-based cloth has a soft, almost fabric-like texture that feels genuinely different from plastic-based wipes — in a good way.
We use them for everything: post-meal face wipes, sticky hands, quick counter cleanups, wiping down the highchair, cleaning up after art projects. The all-purpose formula handles daily messes without leaving residue or irritating skin.
The refillable system is surprisingly convenient once you set it up. Swapping in a new roll takes seconds, and not having to deal with the dried-out-edges problem of traditional wipe packs is a nice bonus — the dispenser keeps wipes fresh until you use them.
The Environmental Impact
Americans use an estimated 8 billion wet wipes per year. The vast majority are plastic-based and end up in landfills or, worse, flushed into sewer systems where they cause blockages and environmental damage.
BIOM's plant-based fibers biodegrade naturally. Their refillable system reduces packaging waste. And zero microplastics means zero contribution to one of the fastest-growing pollution problems on the planet.
Making the Switch
Start with the all-purpose starter kit — you get the dispenser plus your first set of wipe rolls. Once you've used BIOM for a week, the difference in quality and the satisfaction of not throwing away plastic packaging with every pack makes it hard to go back.
For families already making clean swaps in other areas of the home, wipes are a natural next step. You use them constantly, they touch your family's skin dozens of times a day, and the conventional versions are literally made of plastic soaked in chemicals. BIOM fixes all of that without sacrificing the convenience that makes wipes indispensable in the first place.