{{Short description|Wet wipe alternative}} '''Gel wipe''' is a moisturizing gel applied to dry toilet paper for cleaning purposes, like personal hygiene, or to reduce skin irritation from diarrhea. It was developed in the 2010s as an environmentally sensitive alternative to wet wipes.<ref>{{Cite interview|url=https://www.wwdmag.com/qa/greener-alternative-wet-wipes|title=Greener alternative to wet wipes|website=Water and Wastes Digest|interviewer=Sara Myers|first=Siim|last=Saat|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2019/07/get-ahead-of-the-wet-wipes-ban-by-cleaning-your-bum-with-this-gel/|title=Get Ahead of the Wet Wipes Ban by Cleaning Your Bum With This Gel|website=Gizmodo|access-date=2019-07-11|archive-date=2019-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711024218/https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2019/07/get-ahead-of-the-wet-wipes-ban-by-cleaning-your-bum-with-this-gel/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== History == Estonian Siim Saat is seen as the inventor of gel wipe in 2011.<ref name=":0" /> In 2016, he was among seven entrepreneurs in the world nominated for an award by the Healthcare Startup Society in London at the Healthcare Startup Conference.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://forte.delfi.ee/news/teadus/eestlane-leiutas-maailmas-ainulaadse-tualettpaberi-geeli?id=63119654 |title=Eestlane leiutas maailmas ainulaadse tualettpaberi geeli |language=Estonian|date=12 December 2011|access-date=28 January 2026|website=forte.delfi.ee|trans-title=Estonian invents toilet paper gel?}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.healthcarestartupsociety.com/blog/post/?permalink=hs-awards-2016-shortlisted-startups- |title=Health Entrepreneur of The Year |access-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626192916/http://www.healthcarestartupsociety.com/blog/post/?permalink=hs-awards-2016-shortlisted-startups- |archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref> Gel wipe is seen as the solution to wet wipe pollution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2018/06/15/toilet-paper-gel-cleans-up-no-2-in-more-ways-than-one/|title=Toilet Paper Gel Cleans Up No. 2 In More Ways Than One|first=Jeff|last=Kart|website=Forbes|date=15 June 2018|access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.qaresearch.co.uk/four-answers-to-the-water-industrys-wet-wipe-problem/|title=Four answers to the water industry's wet wipe problem|website=Qa Research|access-date=28 January 2026|last=Bryan|first=Richard}}</ref>
== Uses == Although marketed primarily for wiping bottoms, it is not uncommon to use it against skin rash, in the case of diarrhea or even as a substitute for water and soap on hiking trips.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natural-personal-hygiene-gel-fresh-dab-makes-going-to-the-bathroom-greener-and-cleaner-186301651.html |title=Natural Personal Hygiene Gel Fresh Dab Makes Going to the Bathroom Greener and Cleaner |type=Press release|date=10 January 2013|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/satu-laboratory|title=Hygienic Personal Care Gels|website=TrendHunter.com|date=26 January 2017|access-date=28 January 2026|last=Plunt|first=Toomas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lovense.com/sex-blog/sex-passion/anal-cleaning|title=Anal Cleaning Gel - A Brutally Honest Product Review of Satu Lab|date=18 July 2017|access-date=28 January 2026|website=Lovense}}</ref>
Gel wipes began to be marketed as a complementary hygiene product for toilet paper by SATU laboratory,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.satulaboratory.com/2017/03/11/still-using-dry-toilet-paper-upgrade/|title=Still wiping with dry toilet paper?|website=satulaboratory.com|access-date=2017-04-10|archive-date=2021-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513154556/https://www.satulaboratory.com/2017/03/11/still-using-dry-toilet-paper-upgrade/|url-status=dead|date=11 March 2017}}</ref> as a luxury option by St Joseph's Toiletries<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/movie-news/oscars-goodie-bags-2016/ |title=Luxury loo roll and a 'vampire' breast lift: inside the Oscars' $200,000 gift bag|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=8 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211002749/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/movie-news/oscars-goodie-bags-2016/|archive-date=11 February 2016}}</ref> or hipster product by Zum Bum,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.earthturns.com/resources/2016/08/15/zum-bum/|title=Indigo Wild Zum Bum|last=Anisa|date=15 August 2016|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-date=29 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529100137/https://www.earthturns.com/resources/2016/08/15/zum-bum/|url-status=dead|website=Earthturns.com}}</ref> and Zero Taboos that makes Wipegel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zerotaboos.com/|title=Home|website=Zerotaboos|access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref> Many adults now use gel wipes with toilet paper as an alternative to wet wipes that cause environmental and sewer problems.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/flushable-wet-wipes-are-harming-marine-life-and-pushing-up-water/|title='Flushable' wet wipes are harming marine life and pushing up water bills, experts warn|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=16 June 2016|via=|access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/world/europe/uk-fatberg-sidmouth.html|title=210-Foot Fatberg Blocks Sewers of English Seaside Town|first=Iliana|last=Magra|work=The New York Times |date=8 January 2019|via=}}</ref> All wet wipes sold as "flushable" in the UK have so far failed the water industry's disintegration tests, the BBC has found.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Emma |date=13 November 2018 |title=No 'flushable' wet wipes tested so far pass water industry tests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46188354 |access-date=15 August 2019 |work=BBC News}}</ref> A study by Ryerson University tested 23 wipes with the "flushable" label and found only two that partially disintegrated.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flushable-wipes-clogging-drains-petition-fines-1.5122173 |title='Flushable' wipes are anything but, says group seeking steep fines for false advertising|date=3 May 2019|access-date=28 January 2026|website=CBC News}}</ref>
== See also == * Anal hygiene
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Paper products}}
Category:Personal hygiene products Category:Paper products Category:Toilets Category:Babycare Category:Disposable products