How to Choose Wet Wipes (濕紙巾) in Taiwan: Pure Water, Alcohol, Antibacterial, and the Cost per Sheet
For wiping hands, mouths, tables, and other surfaces when you are out, wet wipes are something almost every home stocks up on. But the shelf is full of wording such as pure water, alcohol, antibacterial, thick, and baby, and a pack can cost anything from a few dollars to dozens. This guide explains the common types, 4 things to check, and how to work out the cost per sheet, so you can decide which one to buy.
First, Understand the 3 Common Types of Wet Wipes
| Type | Features | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Pure water wipes | Made with pure water (often ultra-pure or RO water) and nonwoven fabric, and usually labeled "99.9% pure water". Types with no alcohol or fragrance are relatively less irritating, but most still add a small amount of preservative or antibacterial ingredient, so check the ingredient list | Wiping hands, mouth, and face, and babies and people with sensitive skin (still check the ingredients before use) |
| Alcohol wipes | Contain a certain share of alcohol, which evaporates fast, and are used on the surface of things such as tables, handles, and phones. They are not always suitable for dry or sensitive skin or for babies, and alcohol is flammable, so keep them away from fire | Wiping the surface of things when you are out, and wiping adult hands before a meal |
| Antibacterial / cleaning wipes | Contain an antibacterial agent or cleaning agent and are labeled for wiping tables, kitchens, and bathrooms. Most are not recommended for direct contact with the face and mouth, and you should dispose of them as the pack says after use | Cleaning surfaces at home, in the kitchen, and in the bathroom |
No single type is "the best". It depends on whether you are wiping a person or an object, whether there is a baby at home, and whether your skin is sensitive. For wiping the face, the mouth, or a baby's bottom, look first at a pure water type with simple ingredients. Consider alcohol or antibacterial types only for wiping tables and handles. Also, most wet wipes "cannot be flushed down the toilet". If the pack does not say they disperse in water, always put them in the trash, to avoid blocking the pipes.
4 Things to Check When Choosing Wet Wipes
| What to check | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list and stated use | Whether it is pure water, alcohol, or an antibacterial formula, and whether it has fragrance and preservatives. The ingredient list should be clear, and the use should say whether it is for hands, face, or objects. "99.9% pure water" is the maker's figure, and what makes up the remaining 0.1% is what matters |
| Thickness and nonwoven material | Ones that are too thin tear after one wipe and you need to pull more sheets, which is less of a good deal. Thicker types and spunlace nonwoven are usually more durable and shed less lint |
| Sheets per pack, and cost per sheet | Do not look only at the total price. Work out "total price ÷ number of sheets" for the cost per sheet, and then look at the size of one sheet. For the same pack of 85 sheets, a sheet of 18 × 14 cm and a larger sheet use up very different amounts |
| Lid, packaging, and expiry | Whether there is a re-sealable lid affects whether the wipes dry out after opening. Also check the manufacture date and shelf life, whether the pack is sealed, and try to use it up soon after opening |
How to Work Out the Cost per Sheet So the Price per Pack Does Not Fool You
Do not look only at "how much for one pack". Work out "total price ÷ number of sheets". Suppose one pack of 85 sheets costs $20, which is about $0.24 per sheet. Another pack of 80 sheets costs $39, which is about $0.49 per sheet, double the price. Then look at the size of one sheet: even at $0.24 per sheet, a sheet of 18 × 14 cm and a larger sheet need a different number of sheets each time you wipe, so the real cost differs too. Also, some shops list several sizes and price ranges at once, and a price may be a promotional price for a specific size or time. Before you order, confirm the actual price and number of sheets of the exact option you chose, and then work out the cost per sheet, so the figure is accurate.
Choosing by Situation
- A baby at home, or sensitive skin — Look first at a pure water type with simple ingredients, check whether the ingredient list has fragrance and alcohol, and try a small area the first time.
- Wiping tables, handles, and phones — Alcohol or antibacterial types remove dirt and evaporate faster, but check whether the material can be wiped (check the instructions first for screens and wooden surfaces).
- Out and about, always in your bag — Choose a small pack with a lid, which is easy to carry and does not dry out easily. For heavy use at home, a large pack usually has a lower cost per sheet.
- Stocking up at home — Check the shelf life and whether the pack is intact. Do not stock up more than you can use within the shelf life, and remember to close the pack tightly after opening.
Searching on Shopee Taiwan: Chinese Keywords and What They Mean
Shopee Taiwan uses Chinese, so searching in English usually returns nothing useful. Copy the keywords below and paste them into the Shopee search box.
| Keyword / text (Chinese) | Pinyin | Meaning | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 濕紙巾 濕巾 | shī zhǐjīn / shījīn | wet wipes | The most common search keyword |
| 純水 | chúnshuǐ | pure water | A type with simple ingredients |
| 酒精 | jiǔjīng | alcohol | For wiping the surface of things |
| 抗菌 | kàngjūn | antibacterial | Check the ingredient list for the agent |
| 加厚 | jiāhòu | thicker | Tears less easily |
| 嬰兒 | yīng'ér | baby | A type labeled for babies, still check the ingredients |
| 抽 | chōu | sheet (pull) | For example 85抽 means 85 sheets |
| 可沖散 | kě chōngsàn | can be flushed (disperses in water) | Only put them in the toilet if the pack says so |
| 成分 成份 | chéngfèn | ingredients | Read the full ingredient list on the pack |
| 香料 | xiāngliào | fragrance | Check whether it is added |
| 月銷熱賣 | yuè xiāo rèmài | best sellers this month | A sorting option in Shopee Taiwan search results (the display name may change), useful for finding what many people buy |
Brand names on packaging are usually written in Chinese too. If you are not sure, use your phone's camera translation (for example Google Translate) on the packaging or the product page and compare it with the table above. This list is only a keyword guide, not an official translation, and the text on a product page may differ.
Show this to the shop staff, or paste it into the Shopee chat
請問這包有幾抽？一張多大？
Qǐngwèn zhè bāo yǒu jǐ chōu? Yì zhāng duō dà?
How many sheets are in this pack, and how big is one sheet?
請問這款可以擦寶寶嗎？
Qǐngwèn zhè kuǎn kěyǐ cā bǎobǎo ma?
Can this type be used on a baby?
請問有蓋子嗎？
Qǐngwèn yǒu gàizi ma?
Does it have a lid?
Travel Companion (旅伴) Pure Water Wet Wipes, Taiwan-Made Thick Type, 85 Sheets (Shopee)
Shopee listing information (shown on October 3, 2026; prices and promotions may change): there are 5 product options (the price depends on the option), 100,000+ sold, a 4.9-star rating from 7,905 reviews, and the most common buyer review tags are fast shipping (402), good value (171), and good packaging (117). It is No. 3 in Shopee's "pure water thick wet wipes" best-seller list. Installments at 0% interest from $2 × 3 periods are shown, delivery is estimated for October 6 with shipping from $0, and free shipping is shown for store pickup over $199 and home delivery over $490, with Shopee's buyer protection and easy returns, shipped from Linyuan District, Kaohsiung. Product information (from the listing, not independently checked by us): the product name is Travel Companion thick pure water wipes, 85 sheets, with the ingredients and materials listed as EDI ultra-pure water, soft spunlace nonwoven fabric, and an antibacterial agent. One sheet is about 18 × 14 cm, there are 85 sheets per pack, it is made in Taiwan, the shelf life is 3 years, and the weight is 468 g (the listing notes it was measured by hand and may be slightly off). The listing provides one SGS test report (dated July 29, 2025, testing for migratable fluorescent substances, with a negative result). Before you buy: the ingredient list includes an "antibacterial agent", so it is not free of added ingredients. If you use it for babies or sensitive skin, read the full ingredient list on the pack. Different options have different prices, so check the option (number of sheets and style) you picked and the actual price at the time, and work out the cost per sheet. Phrases such as "lowest price in Taiwan" are the listing's own promotional wording and we have not checked them. We do not recommend flushing wet wipes down the toilet unless the pack says they disperse in water.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Wiping a person or an object? → For the face and babies, look first at a pure water type with simple ingredients, and consider alcohol or antibacterial types only for tables
- Read the ingredient list? → Watch for fragrance, alcohol, antibacterial agents, and preservatives, and if your skin is sensitive, try a small area first
- Want to know if it is a good deal? → Work out "total price ÷ number of sheets", and then compare the size of one sheet
- Is there a re-sealable lid? → A pack without a lid dries out easily after opening
- Before you order → check the option, number of sheets, shelf life, and latest price, and do not flush wet wipes down the toilet
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do pure water wipes really contain nothing else?
- Not necessarily. "99.9% pure water" is the share the maker states, and the rest is often a preservative or antibacterial agent, used to keep wet wipes from going moldy or breeding bacteria. To know what is really in it, read the full ingredient list on the pack, and do not go only by the slogan on the front.
- Can wet wipes be flushed down the toilet?
- Most cannot. The fibers of ordinary wet wipes do not break up easily in water, and flushing them can block the pipes. Only products whose pack clearly says they disperse in water can be flushed, and any without that label should go in the trash.
- What should I do if wet wipes dry out before I finish the pack?
- It is usually because the lid was not closed tightly or the adhesive no longer works. When you buy, choose a type with a re-sealable lid, close it tightly every time, and keep it out of direct sunlight. We do not recommend adding water to wipes that have dried out and using them, because bacteria can grow.
- Can wet wipes be used on the face or on a baby?
- It depends on the use stated on the product and the ingredients. Only types labeled for the face or for babies are suitable, and we suggest trying a small area first. Alcohol types and antibacterial cleaning types are not recommended for wiping the face directly or for use on babies.