A men's wipes alternative for New Zealand
If you are searching for a Dude Wipes alternative, you probably want the same thing the men's wipes category promises: a quick, damp, fresh clean after the toilet or the gym. A toilet paper foam gives you that on ordinary dry toilet paper, so the only thing you flush is paper. This guide explains the category in general terms, what to check on any pack, and how foam compares.
What men's wipes are
Men's wipes are a branch of the wet wipe market. They are usually larger and thicker than standard personal wipes, often scented, and sold in packs aimed at use after the toilet, after training, or when there is no shower handy. Many are labelled flushable.
We make no claims about any particular brand here. What is true of the category is true of wet wipes generally: they are pre-moistened sheets that are made to hold together while wet, which is what makes them work in your hand.
The flushable question
Flushable on a pack can mean very different things. When Consumer NZ tested 11 wipes sold as flushable, all of them stayed intact apart from the occasional small tear, while toilet paper started breaking down within minutes. Palmerston North City Council says ninety per cent of wet wipes on the market are made from nonwoven fabrics of polyester or polypropylene.
Since May 2022 there has been a joint Australian and New Zealand standard, AS/NZS 5328:2022 Flushable products. Watercare explains that products must pass six tests and attest that they contain no plastic, and those that pass can carry an approved flushable symbol. Its advice is simple: if it doesn't have the symbol, don't flush it.
So whichever men's wipe you use, check the pack for that symbol. If it isn't there, the wipe goes in the bin. Our flushable wipes NZ guide covers the testing and the standard in more detail.
How toilet paper foam does the same job
A toilet paper foam is a small pump bottle of cleansing foam. You fold dry toilet paper, pump once, let it soak in for a moment, and wipe. The paper goes soft and damp, close to the feel of a wipe, and then you flush it as the toilet paper it still is.
With Foamie Gentle Toilet Paper Foam the directions are three or four folded sheets, one pump, and about two seconds before wiping. A 60 ml bottle gives roughly 400 pumps. Our how to use toilet paper foam guide walks through it.
Wipes vs foam, compared
Here is how the two approaches compare on the things that tend to matter.
- What you flush: with foam, only toilet paper. With wipes, only those that carry the AS/NZS 5328 symbol.
- What you bin: with foam, an empty bottle now and then. With wipes that lack the symbol, every used wipe.
- Cost per use: Foamie is NZ$19.95 for roughly 400 pumps, about 5 cents a use. For wipes, divide the pack price by the number of sheets and multiply by how many you use each time.
- Gym bag: a 60 ml pump bottle and a pocket pack of wipes take up similar space. Foam needs toilet paper on hand, which most bathrooms and changing rooms have.
- Scent: men's wipes are often scented. Check any foam's ingredient list too. Foamie's lists Parfum, so it is scented.
What is in the foam
The full ingredient list for Foamie Gentle Toilet Paper Foam is Aqua, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Glycerine, Parfum, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol and Dehydroacetic Acid. Lauryl Glucoside and Sodium Coco-Sulfate are the cleansers that make the foam, glycerine helps the paper stay soft, and the last three keep the formula stable.
It is for external use only. Keep it away from your eyes, stop using it if irritation occurs, and keep washing your hands with soap and water after the toilet.
Getting it in New Zealand
Foamie is sent from Auckland by NZ Post. Shipping is free nationwide on orders over $25. Under that, standard delivery is $4.99 to Auckland metro, $5.99 to the rest of New Zealand and $8.99 to rural delivery addresses, with an estimated one to three business days for most of the country. Auckland metro orders can choose a same-day courier for $20, and Australian orders are a flat NZ$25, tracked, in five to seven business days.
Foamie Gentle Toilet Paper Foam is on the product page, with a sign-up to hear when stock is back if it has sold out. For other options, see our wet wipe alternatives guide.
Questions people ask
Are men's wipes flushable? +
Only if the pack carries the approved flushable symbol from AS/NZS 5328:2022. The word flushable on its own doesn't tell you a product has passed the standard. Watercare's rule is that without the symbol, it goes in the bin.
Is toilet paper foam just for women? +
No. It is a unisex cleansing foam used on toilet paper. Anyone who likes the fresh feel of a wipe can use it.
Can I take toilet paper foam to the gym? +
Yes. A 60 ml pump bottle fits in a gym bag or toilet bag. You need toilet paper to use it with, which most changing rooms have.
How long does a bottle last? +
A 60 ml bottle of Foamie gives roughly 400 pumps. How long that lasts depends on how often you use it. At three uses a day, it is a little over four months.
