Flow pack wipes vs. Tub wipes: What is best for my industry?

With a huge range of wet and dry wipes on the market in all different packing types from flow packs, flat packs, tubs, canisters and boxes it can be a complete minefield on what wipes are best for you. It all comes down to what you are using them for and where… in the trade, on the go or at home? Well, in this blog we are going to dive into some of the ways you can be sure you are using the best wipe for your intended application giving you the best ROI and efficiency when doing your job. At the end of the day, time is money so using the right wipe dispensing packaging is key to making your life easier.

In this blog, we cover off some questions such as:

What are flow pack (flat pack) wipes used for?

Should I use tub wipes or flow packs?

Why are flow pack wipes dry at the top?

Is tub wipes packaging more durable than flow pack packaging?

Are pouch wipes better than flow pack wipes?

If you want to jump to the answer quickly, simply click the question above!

Flow packs or flat pack wipes as some people call them are used more in the domestic area and around the home. You can get baby wipes, leather wipes, and , anti-bac wipes all in forms of packet wipes. They are also used in bigger pack sizes across sectors such as healthcare and facilities. They are often used for wiping and cleansing skin or are used for sanitising and wiping hard surfaces. Flow pack wipes are handy but they do dry out quickly and often the solution in the wipes sinks to the bottom of the pack leaving the top wipes dry and ineffective.

Well, what are you trying to do? Working in the trade and need a wipe tub that will take all the things you throw at it? Need wipes with high capacity when on the go or working in high-footfall areas? If so, then you need tub wipes or canister wipes. It’s always best to use a tub of wipes as they can hold enough wipes to keep you going for a while, in fact, anything from 500 to 2000 wipes at a time. They are also a strong tub and lid with a sturdy carry handle ideal for moving from A to B. Canisters carrying anything from 30 wipes up to say 200 wipes are also great for on the go, for having on a cleaner's trolley, in the back of the van or when out for a picnic. Now for flow packs, handy sometimes but not always wet at the top. A sticky flap that sticks over the top becomes not all that sticky over time and doesn’t seal the pack so makes the pack dry out. Ok, they may be good in their place but the wipes are often small and clump together so you end up getting 6-7 out at a time meaning more wastage. Whereas with a tub or canister, the wipes come out continuously wet and are perforated so you can just pull one out at a time. The wipes come out from the centre of the roll so you can be sure you will get a wet wipe every time as the solution is pulled up through the wipe as dispensed. Packaging on the flow packs often looks cheap and can break easily so not that ideal when on the go. So, I think I would go with the tub or canister as can be used in any area from work to school to home. They come in so many different sizes and shapes there is always one to suit your application. Another great thing about tub wipes is that they are refillable with a refill bag or pouch, and you can keep the tub for life and just keep refilling!

Why are flow pack wipes dry at the top?

This is because the solution that is filled into the wipes sinks to the bottom of the pack and the wipe fabric doesn’t retain the liquid solution. Always best to stick to roll wipes in a tub as explained above!

Is tub wipes packaging more durable than flow pack packaging?

Yes, it is and is easier to use. Made from thicker material such as part recycled and recyclable PP plastic you can be sure that your wipes are kept wet and stopped from drying out. Flow packs are often brittle, and floppy so do not stand up that well to harsh conditions, so it is best to use tub or pouch wipes.

Are pouch wipes better than flow pack wipes?

Well, pouch wipes work in the same way as wipes that are dispensed in a tub or canister. The wipes are pulled from the centre of the roll, so you get a continually wet wipe regardless of how many you pull out. The difference with the easy quick pouch (EQP®) is that the packaging is different to the tub and flow pack wipes. For a start, they are 87% less plastic than a standard tub of wipes which is a lot less plastic waste. They are 100% recyclable and take up less room in your recycling bin once they are empty. That’s a win-win! They are a sturdy thick pouch with a strong easy-to-use dispensing nozzle that dispenses one wipe at a time while keeping the other wipes wet in the pouch. We have run over some of the negatives about flow packs above, like packs being brittle, non-stick labels and not all wipes being wet. The other beauty about pouch wipes, you can get them in a pouch of 50 right up to a pouch of 2000 so yeah, I would go with a pouch wipe! Pouch wipes are great in the car, just get a 50 or 100 wipe EQP® and they slip straight into a car door pocket and are always handy when out and about.

Still wondering what to go with for your industry? If you are looking for a sturdy one, go for a tub of wipes.. If looking for an eco-option go with an easy quick pouch!

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