Use washable cloths and water for faces, hands, surfaces and nappy changes. Keep a stack of cheap cotton flannels and wash them with the towels.
UK evidence behind the ban: about 31 billion wipes sold in 2021, of which the Scottish Government’s impact assessment estimates a quarter to a half contained plastic, and Marine Conservation Society beach surveys averaging 20 wipes per 100 metres. Wales bans plastic wet wipes from 18 December 2026, Northern Ireland from 18 May 2027, England from 19 May 2027 and Scotland from 11 August 2027. At about 1.5 g of plastic per wipe, 250 wipes a year is roughly 375 g.
The catch: plastic-free wipes still should never be flushed, and washing cloths uses water and energy; the swap works best with a bin by the changing table and a mesh bag in the washing machine.