Keeping on top of your hygiene if you have a disability is vital for ensuring you stay well and away from those nasty infections. However, in some cases, showering or having a bath can be physically difficult and draining, leaving you with hardly any energy for the rest of the day.
Lucy, an editor for Disability Horizons, talks about how FreshWipes can be a perfect alternative, enabling you to feel fresh and confident without needing to exhaust yourself with regular showers.
There is nothing like soaking in a bath or taking a hot shower to help me relax at the end of the day. The benefits of being warm and clean are obvious. However, because of my cerebral palsy, I need assistance with personal care, so I’m sometimes unable to shower due to the facilities being inaccessible or lack of assistance.
FreshWipes are a convenient alternative that enables you to feel fresh and clean when bathing or showering isn’t an option.
Buy FreshWipes now from our shop for as little as £5.99.
How FreshWipes can help those with limited mobility
FreshWipes are large wipes that can be used all over your body. They are thick (and nearly impossible to rip – I tried) and one wipe can clean the whole body. They are also biodegradable and made of plant fibres so they are good for the planet too!
I first came across them in August 2020 via a disability Facebook group. The owner of the group, who is a wheelchair user, was singing the praises of FreshWipes as being the reason she felt clean after her travels, despite being unable to access the shower in her hotel room.
Having my own issues with accessing showers, I decided they were well worth trying out.
How easy are FreshWipes to use for people with dexterity issues?
When I used FreshWipes for the first time I realised how easy the packet is to open. My lack of dexterity usually means I have to get the scissors out, but not in this case.
The opening has what looks like a standard label covering it, but the shape of the tab on the end means it is easier than I expected to grab the end and pull it open. The packaging also reseals easily.
You’ll see from the image below that the tab looks wet. I expected to pull out more than one wipe, as these types of products tend to stick together, and that there would be drips.
I was pleasantly surprised as neither was the case. FreshWipes are a lot bigger than a standard wipe so I thought I had pulled out more than one, but it was a single wipe. No liquid dripped off it at all either. The wipe was cool to the touch, soft and felt damp but not wet.
They have a slight smell of coconut, which is the only thing I didn’t like about them. I fed this back to FreshWipes, as have other people, and the company has now produce wipes with different scents, including an unscented version.
FreshWipes are convenient and accessible to all
The first time I used a FreshWipe it was because one of my care calls had been cancelled. I still need some assistance when using the product, but from start to finish it took about 10 minutes for a full-body wash. I was left feeling fresh and clean.
The coconut scent is light and disappears once you are dry. The composition of these wipes means skin dries quickly with no need for drying, as long as you’re happy to sit for a minute.
The wipes are safe to use on all areas of your body, including intimate places that other products may be too harsh for. However, FreshWipes should not be used on the head or face.
Liz Barnes, owner/inventor of FreshWipes, originally created the product for busy sportspeople. It was only during the first lockdown that she realised the potential of her product for disabled people.
FreshWipes can be useful in many situations including:
- long car rides
- festivals
- after exercise
- camping
- travel
- any time that soap and water aren’t available.
FreshWipes are suitable for people with skin conditions
FreshWipes are made from plant materials, are PH balanced, have no alcohol in them and are antibacterial. This means that they are gentle on the skin and suitable for people who have skin conditions.
The wipes may even help to soothe irritated skin as they keep you clean and remove sweat and body odour effectively.
The main ingredient in FreshWipes that makes them effective is a chemical called chlorhexidine. It is used in mouthwash, nasal sprays, soaps, and to clean hospitals and in some anaesthetics. It has antibacterial properties and effectively neutralises body odour while still being kind to the skin.
However, some people are known to be allergic to it, so do check the ingredients – see the image and list below.:
- Aqua
- Chlohexidine Digluconate (0.3%)
- Dehydroacetic acid
- Glycerin
- Tocopherol
- Propylene Glycol
- Benzalkonium Chloride (0.05%)
- Lauryl Glucoside
- Cocos Nucifera oil
- Chamomilla Recutita flower extract
- Allantoin
- Citric acid
SWipes are a fantastic solution to showering difficulties
I’ve found FreshWipes to be far better than I expected and a very effective alternative to showering. I still prefer hot water and soap, but there are times when that isn’t feasible.
The softness and strength of these wipes mean I have a quicker way of making myself comfortable. Just remember NOT to flush them down the toilet!
You can buy FreshWipes from our shop at £5.99 for a single pack of 12 or purchase as a bundle of 5 packs, 10 packs or 36 packs.
By Lucy Currier
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