Clean Here, There, and Everywhere with The UnWipe

Whether or not we want to admit it, running is a dirty sport. And I don’t just mean during trail running in February or pounding the pavement in the middle of August. Obviously cardio produces sweat (news of the century there), but even outside of that sometimes our cleanliness is the little less than desirable.

When we first came across the UnWipe, it seemed like an interesting product that could do a lot of good environmentally. Replacing “flushable” wipes and reducing single-use plastic is a win-win in and of itself.

But, being runners, we thought this was an interesting concept that could transcend the bathroom and be something to utilize before, during, and after a run. With the UnWipe, you can quickly clean off any sweat or dirt without having to stop and find a bathroom or sink. This could be a huge time-saver for runners who are always on the go.

Taking Care of Business

We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the UnWipe’s true purpose – to limit the amount of unsustainable flushable wipes that end up in our pipes each year. In it’s truest sense, the UnWipe replaces those by wetting your already purchased toilet paper to give your tush a similar sensation as a flushable wipe – but in a sustainable way. Simply, take your TP, press it against the mesh liner to adhere water to it, and then do your thing.

If you are wondering if this makes the TP fall apart (as I had concerns about initially), the answer is surprisingly no! Chalk that up to the mesh liner that gently moistens the paper instead of dousing it and making it unusable.

Before

This sort of feeds into the UnWipe being a pre-race staple. We have all been there – in those port-a-potties relieving ourselves one last time before our race. You are wrapping things up and then remember that the TP available in those units are…just awful. I mean, I don’t even know how they are still allowed to be classified as toilet paper. It’s like you need an entire baseball’s worth of its 1/4-ply awfulness to even sorta get clean.

Enter the UnWipe and you absolutely have some sort of hope to get yourself ready to for the miles ahead.

During

Full disclosure – I am one of those runners who has ended a run with less clothing then I started, because…well…nature called and I was forced to answer. A few years ago, I was running the Cline Butte Trails near Redmond and I was miles away from my car (which was miles away from a restroom) when my stomach started churning. It became evident that I was not gonna make it.

Luckily I had a small trail pack, but I wasn’t really prepared for the situation. A missing sock became a necessity (if you know you know), and not only was my right foot uncomfortable on the 4+mile jaunt back to the car afterward, but I wasn’t exactly feeling super great under my clothes as well.

While it’s probably not necessary for road runs, I like the UnWipe as an option for those more isolated runs where I have a pack with me and can easily store it. It would make for a much more comfortable situation.

On top of that, I don’t feel that the UnWipe solely has to be used as a post-business item. There are plenty of times on runs where I am sweating profusely, or perhaps I have – once again – tripped over a tree branch and have a scraped knee that needs a little minor first aid. The UnWipe can absolutely be used to wet a small towel, or perhaps an article of clothing, to keep yourself moving along.

After

This sorta feeds into the ability to use the UnWipe as a post-run option as well. I have a few pre-wetted towels that are great to use after some miles to refresh a little – especially if I am moving straight from run to another activity and need to not be super gross. While those towels are great, they also are expensive and one-use – leading to a lot of waste in the process.

While the UnWipe is not a substitute for a full shower or bath, so it’s important to use it as a quick fix when you’re on the go. It may not work for a full body cleaning, but it does work well by misting a small towel to clean up your most important places afterwards.

Overall

The benefits of the UnWipe are pretty obvious, especially for people who are always on the go. It’s perfect for runners who want to freshen up during or after their workout. It’s also great for hikers, bikers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors.