Clorox Disinfecting Wipes · Cleaning Wipes
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes 5 x 85 Carton
Low concern, yet Clorox hasn't publicly stated its PFAS position.
These nonwoven cleaning wipes don't require water resistance or stain protection where PFAS belong. Surfactants can sometimes include PFAS-based additives, but it's unconfirmed for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
nonwoven fabric wipes (likely polypropylene/polyester blend); active ingredients, sodium hypochlorite, surfactants
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Sodium hypochlorite irritation (eyes, skin, respiratory)
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes contain sodium hypochlorite at concentrations designed for surface disinfection. Direct skin contact or eye splash can cause irritation; inhalation of vapors in poorly ventilated spaces may cause respiratory irritation. Risk is mitigated by proper use (ventilation, no ingestion, hand washing after use).
Surfactant skin sensitization
Wipes contain surfactants to aid disinfectant spread and cleaning. Some individuals may develop contact dermatitis with repeated or prolonged skin exposure. Formulation details are proprietary, but anionic surfactants used in disinfectant products are generally recognized as low-hazard at rinse-off concentrations.
Microplastic shedding from nonwoven substrate
Nonwoven polypropylene or polyester fibers may shed microfibers during use, particularly if wipes are rubbed aggressively on rough surfaces. Shed fibers are discarded with the wipe and do not directly enter the body, but environmental accumulation from repeated use across households is a low-level concern.
Chemical residues on treated surfaces
If sodium hypochlorite is not fully wiped away from food contact surfaces (cutting boards, countertops), residual disinfectant may remain. Subsequent contact with food is unlikely to cause harm at trace levels, but thorough rinsing after disinfection is recommended for food prep areas.
What’s reassuring
Container leachables (plastic jars/canisters)
Clorox uses polypropylene or PET containers designed for compatibility with sodium hypochlorite solution. No recalls or documented leaching issues are on record for this product line. Standard food-grade plastics are not required here because the product is not consumed.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are nonwoven fabric substrates (typically polypropylene or polyester blends) saturated with sodium hypochlorite solution and surfactants. The fabric itself is not heated during use and does not enter the food system, so fabric-specific hazards like formaldehyde resins (common in some textiles) are not relevant here. The active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, is a regulated disinfectant that degrades rapidly after application and poses minimal residual toxicity at intended use concentrations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Clorox has no publicly documented recalls or safety violations specific to this wipe product line as of available records. The company has not made public statements about PFAS content in wipes, though water-resistance coatings (which might contain PFAS) are not a stated feature of standard disinfecting wipes. Clorox maintains regulatory compliance with EPA, FDA, and consumer product safety standards for disinfectant labeling and ingredients.
How it compares in its category
Disinfecting wipes occupy a distinct safety profile versus similar products: they are safer than bleach concentrates or sprays (no inhalation risk in wipe form) but require proper ventilation use like any sodium hypochlorite product. Compared to alcohol-based or quaternary ammonium wipes, Clorox hypochlorite wipes are equally effective and carry similar low systemic toxicity when used as directed. The nonwoven substrate presents no known hazards typical of textiles (azo dyes, flame retardants) because it is not worn and is discarded after use.
If you buy it
Use wipes in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhalation of sodium hypochlorite vapor, especially in enclosed spaces like bathrooms. Do not allow wipes to dry on surfaces; discard after use. Keep container tightly sealed between uses to prevent evaporation and degradation of the active ingredient. Store out of reach of children and pets; sodium hypochlorite can irritate skin and eyes if contact occurs.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Cleaning Wipes
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes
Disinfecting Wipes Seventh Generation
nonwoven fabric (polypropylene/polyester blend), quaternary ammonium disinfectant
Quaternary ammonium (quat) skin irritation
Limited concern
Respiratory irritation from quat aerosol
Limited concern
Low risk, Seventh Generation's transparent stance and third-party certifications support a safer choice.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Multi Wipes
nonwoven fabric blend (cellulose/synthetic fibers)
Skin irritation from quaternary ammonium compounds
Limited concern
Eye irritation
Limited concern
Low risk, no known PFAS need in this category; brand discloses nothing.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Seventh Generation
Botanical Disinfecting Wipes 7 x 8 70 Count (6/Carton)
nonwoven fabric wipes (likely polypropylene or cellulose blend)
Fragrance allergens and skin irritant potential
Limited concern
Nonwoven substrate microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Respiratory irritant from aerosolized spray during use
Limited concern
Low risk, no known PFAS trigger; brand does not explicitly disclose PFAS absence.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More cleaning wipes grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.