Wet wipes are made of spunlace nonwoven fabric — typically 40–60 GSM viscose-polyester blend — saturated with a water-based solution containing preservatives, humectants and fragrance. The fabric substrate is the most important raw material, as it determines softness, absorbency, strength and cost. This guide covers every raw material used in wet wipes manufacturing: fabric substrate, solution formula, preservatives and packaging — with specific data for baby, cosmetic, medical and industrial wipe types.
Wet Wipes Raw Materials — Quick Reference
| # | Raw Material | Function | Typical % in Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spunlace fabric substrate Most Important | Physical base — carries the wipe solution | 40–60 GSM fabric weight |
| 2 | Purified water (deionised) | Solvent base — dissolves and carries all ingredients | 80–95% of solution |
| 3 | Preservatives (phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate) | Prevents bacterial and mould growth in packaged wipe | 0.1–1.0% |
| 4 | Humectants (glycerin, propylene glycol) | Retains moisture — prevents wipe drying out | 1–5% |
| 5 | Surfactant / cleansing agent | Removes dirt, oils and bacteria from surface | 0.5–3% |
| 6 | pH buffer (citric acid, sodium citrate) | Maintains pH 5.5–6.5 — skin-safe range | 0.1–0.5% |
| 7 | Fragrance (optional) | Scent — often omitted for baby and medical wipes | 0–0.5% |
| 8 | Active agents (aloe vera, vitamin E, alcohol) | Skin benefit or disinfection depending on wipe type | 0.5–70% (alcohol wipes) |
| 9 | Packaging (flow pack, canister, sachet) | Airtight seal prevents drying and contamination | — |
Raw Material 1 — Spunlace Fabric Substrate
The spunlace fabric substrate is the most critical raw material in wet wipes manufacturing. It determines the wipe’s softness, absorbency, wet strength, lint level and cost. The fabric is manufactured using a hydroentanglement process — high-pressure water jets entangle loose fibres without any chemical binders — resulting in a soft, absorbent, skin-safe material.
Spunlace Fabric Specifications for Wet Wipes
| Parameter | Standard Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GSM | 40–60 GSM Most Used | Baby wipes: 40–50 GSM · Industrial: 60–80 GSM |
| Composition | 50% Viscose + 50% Polyester | Standard blend — balanced softness, strength and cost |
| Roll Width (wipes) | 150–300 mm | Slit to final wipe dimensions before saturation |
| Roll Width (full) | 120–3200 mm | Full roll — slit to order at Favourite Fab |
| Pattern | Plain / Pearl Embossed / Apertured | Embossed adds texture; apertured increases liquid transfer |
| Absorbency | 3–6× own weight | Higher with increased viscose content |
| Wet Tensile Strength | 65–80% of dry strength | Must hold together under wiping force when saturated |
| Lint Level | <0.1 mg/cm² (EDANA ERT 50.3) | Critical for medical and cosmetic applications |
| HS Code | 5603.92 (HSN 56039200) | GST rate: 5% |
| MOQ (plain) | 1,000 kg | Embossed / apertured: 5,000 kg MOQ |
| Price | From ₹150/kg | Varies by blend, GSM and pattern |
Fabric Composition by Wipe Type
| Wipe Type | Recommended Blend | GSM | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby wipes | 100% viscose or 70/30 viscose-PET | 40–50 GSM | Maximum softness — safe for newborn skin |
| Cosmetic / makeup remover | 100% viscose | 40–60 GSM | Softness + absorbency for facial use |
| Wet wipes (general) Most Common | 50/50 viscose-polyester | 40–60 GSM | Balanced cost, strength and absorbency |
| Medical / wound care wipes | 100% viscose | 40–60 GSM | Low lint + high absorbency for sterile use |
| Alcohol / disinfectant wipes | 100% polyester or 30/70 viscose-PET | 40–60 GSM | Chemical resistance to IPA and alcohol |
| Salon / hair towels | 50/50 viscose-polyester | 60–80 GSM | Heavier weight for liquid absorption |
| Kitchen / household wipes | 30/70 viscose-polyester | 50–70 GSM | Durability for repeated surface cleaning |
| Industrial wipes | 100% polyester | 60–80 GSM | Solvent and oil resistance |
| Biodegradable / eco wipes | 100% viscose or wood pulp-viscose | 40–60 GSM | Fully biodegrades in 6–8 weeks |
Raw Material 2 — Wipe Solution Formula
In addition to the fabric substrate, the wipe solution is the second key raw material. The solution is what makes a wipe functional — it cleans, moisturises, disinfects or soothes depending on the formula. All wipe solutions share a common base structure, but the active ingredients vary significantly by wipe category.
Baby vs General vs Medical vs Industrial — Formula Comparison
| Ingredient | Baby Wipes | General Wet Wipes | Medical Wipes | Industrial / Alcohol Wipes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (deionised) | 90–95% | 85–92% | 80–90% | 20–60% |
| Preservative | Phenoxyethanol (mild) or preservative-free | Phenoxyethanol + sodium benzoate | Benzalkonium chloride or alcohol | Not required (alcohol is self-preserving) |
| Humectant | Glycerin 2–5% | Glycerin 1–3% | Minimal or none | None |
| Surfactant | Mild — coco-glucoside or PEG-free | Standard — lauryl glucoside | Antiseptic surfactant | Industrial degreaser |
| Active agent | Aloe vera, chamomile, vitamin E | Aloe vera or none | IPA or benzalkonium chloride | Isopropyl alcohol 60–75% |
| pH | 5.5–6.0 (skin-matched) | 5.5–7.0 | 6.0–7.5 | Neutral to slightly acidic |
| Fragrance | None or very mild | Light fragrance optional | None | None |
| Regulatory standard | IS 17990:2022 (India) / EN 14561 | BIS / EU Cosmetics Regulation | EN 14561 / ISO 22196 | EPA / EN 13727 |
Viscose vs Polyester — Which Fibre for Wet Wipes?
The two most widely used fibres in wet wipes fabric are viscose (rayon) and polyester. Each brings distinct properties, and therefore most manufacturers use a blend rather than 100% of either fibre.
| Property | Viscose (Rayon) | Polyester (PET) | 50/50 Blend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highest | ⭐⭐ Lower | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Absorbency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Up to 6× weight | ⭐ 1–1.5× weight | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3–4× weight |
| Wet strength | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Biodegradable | ✅ Yes — 6–8 weeks | ❌ No | ⚠️ Partial |
| Cost per kg | Higher | Lower | Medium |
| Chemical resistance | Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Good |
| Best for | Baby wipes, cosmetic, medical | Alcohol wipes, industrial | General wet wipes |
Wet Wipes Fabric Blend Options — Favourite Fab
Favourite Fab manufactures spunlace fabric in all standard viscose-polyester blend ratios. As a result, wipes manufacturers can choose the exact blend that matches their product specification and cost target:
| Blend | Viscose | Polyester | Absorbency | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100/0 | 100% | 0% | Highest | Premium baby wipes, cosmetic pads, medical gauze |
| 70/30 Popular | 70% | 30% | Very high | Baby wipes, premium wet wipes |
| 50/50 Most Common | 50% | 50% | High | General wet wipes, facial wipes, salon towels |
| 40/60 | 40% | 60% | Medium-high | Household wipes, kitchen wipes |
| 30/70 | 30% | 70% | Medium | Industrial cleaning wipes, disinfectant wipes |
| 20/80 | 20% | 80% | Lower | Chemical wipes, technical industrial |
| 10/90 | 10% | 90% | Low | Solvent wipes, heavy industrial |
| 0/100 | 0% | 100% | Lowest | Oil and solvent wipes, filters |
Wet Wipes Fabric Specifications — Favourite Fab
| GSM Range | 35–80 GSM (standard wipes) · up to 120 GSM (industrial) |
| Roll Width — Wipes | 150–300 mm (slit to wipe dimension) |
| Roll Width — Full | 120–3200 mm |
| Roll Diameter | Up to 4800 mm production width · up to 1200 mm finished roll |
| Core Size | 3 inch |
| Pattern | Plain · Pearl embossed · Diamond embossed · Apertured |
| Colours | White (standard) · Blue · Pink |
| MOQ — Plain | 1,000 kg |
| MOQ — Embossed / Apertured | 5,000 kg |
| Delivery (India) | 2–5 days |
| Export | 20 ft / 40 ft HQ container orders accepted |
| Payment | TT · TP · LC |
| HS Code | 5603.92 · HSN 56039200 · GST 5% |
| Price | From ₹150/kg (varies by blend and GSM) |
About Favourite Fab
Favourite Fab is a leading spunlace nonwoven fabric manufacturer based in Agra, India. We supply wet wipes raw material to 13,000+ customers across India and export globally in 20 ft and 40 ft HQ containers. Furthermore, all fabric is manufactured in a sanitised environment — no stock-lot material — ensuring consistent quality for every order.
Explore related guides: Spunlace fabric types and blends · Spunlace nonwoven properties · Spunlace HS code and GST rate · Spunlace vs spunbond comparison
Email: sale@favouritehub.com | WhatsApp / Call: +91 8800775462
Frequently Asked Questions
What are wet wipes made of?
Wet wipes are made of spunlace nonwoven fabric — typically 40–60 GSM viscose-polyester blend — saturated with a water-based solution. The solution contains purified water (80–95%), preservatives (phenoxyethanol or sodium benzoate), humectants (glycerin), surfactants and optional active ingredients like aloe vera or isopropyl alcohol. The fabric substrate determines softness, absorbency and wet strength, while the solution formula determines the cleaning or skincare function.
What raw material is used for baby wipes?
Baby wipes use 100% viscose spunlace or 70/30 viscose-polyester spunlace fabric at 40–50 GSM — the softest and most absorbent options. The wipe solution uses a very mild formula: 90–95% deionised water, mild preservative (phenoxyethanol or preservative-free), 2–5% glycerin as humectant, mild surfactant (coco-glucoside) and skin-soothing actives like aloe vera or chamomile. No harsh chemicals, alcohol or strong fragrance. pH is maintained at 5.5–6.0 to match baby skin.
What is the difference between baby wipes and regular wet wipes raw material?
Baby wipes use softer, higher-viscose fabric (100% viscose or 70/30) at lower GSM (40–50 GSM), with a gentler solution formula — mild preservative, no alcohol, pH 5.5–6.0. In contrast, general wet wipes use 50/50 viscose-polyester at 40–60 GSM with a standard cleansing formula. As a result, baby wipes cost more per unit but are essential for sensitive skin safety. Industrial wipes use 100% polyester fabric with alcohol or chemical-based solutions — completely different from both baby and general wipes.
What GSM spunlace fabric is best for wet wipes?
40–60 GSM is the standard range for wet wipes. Specifically, baby wipes use 40–50 GSM for lightness and softness. General and cosmetic wet wipes use 50–60 GSM for a slightly more substantial feel. Salon towels and industrial wipes use 60–80 GSM for extra absorbency and durability. Going below 40 GSM makes the wipe feel too thin; above 60 GSM adds cost without benefit for standard consumer wipes.
How much does wet wipes raw material cost in India?
Spunlace fabric for wet wipes starts at ₹150/kg at Favourite Fab, with the final price depending on GSM, fibre blend and pattern. Plain 50/50 viscose-polyester at 40–50 GSM is the most affordable standard option. 100% viscose costs more due to the higher fibre cost, while embossed and apertured patterns require a 5,000 kg MOQ. In addition to fabric cost, the wipe solution ingredients (preservatives, glycerin, surfactants) and packaging (flow pack or canister) add to the total raw material cost per unit.
We Do Business On Trust.Our Nonwoven fabric Business is Built on trust. Trust starts with Transparency.
Mr.Ramniwas Garg Founder Of Favourite Group