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How to Prevent Hand Sanitizer or Makeup Wipes from Drying Out

YES, this simple solution for keeping make-up wet wipes moist works perfectly for making sure your hand sanitizing wipes don’t dry out- even in a hot car or a dry climate.

Manufacturer packing for hand wipes never seals well- and with the main ingredient of most brands fast-evaporating isopropyl alcohol, they’re often dry before they can be used!

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Transfering to containers with screw on tops and click-close lids are never fully air-tight, but bail style hinge-close jars really do work to prevent any airflow.  Because all airflow is blocked, this type of storage keep wipes moist indefinitely. These jars can even keep your DIY hand sanitizing hand wipes (made with rubbing alcohol and paper towels) going strong without the need to add any additional chemicals like the name brand versions.

How to keep moist towelettes and wipes from drying out- even in hot cars or dry climates

I used to wrestle with those plastic packages that makeup removal wipes come in. You know the type: crinkly plastic with supposedly “resealable” adhesive labels that never seemed to remain adhesive once they’ve come in contact with their contents.

keep wet wipes wet using a hinge top jar

I’ve preferred makeup wipes to remove my makeup since I was a teenager, and for about that long I’ve been throwing out the last few wipes in every package because they had inevitably dried out due to a not-quite-resealable-enough seal.

It wasn’t until I’d moved into my apartment version of a tinyhouse (280 square feet in the heart of Seattle’s downtown) and was making use of my space by converting things I’d typically hide into storage that was not just functional but pretty to display- that I realized “decanting” make up wipes actually keeps them fresh and fully moisturized indefinitely- no more waste- and they actually work better because they stay evenly moist as I work through a package!

packaging made to reseal somehow never quite seals out air flow.
packaging made to reseal somehow never quite seals out air flow.

How to repackage makeup wipes or hand wipes in a resealable jar:

To repackage my makeup wipes or hand wipes in a resealable jar: I just cut open a package (skipping the ineffective sticky-label seal completely) and empty the contents into a clean hinge top jar. The seal ensures they never dry out, and the hinge-top style makes the jar easy to open and close with a super-tight seal with one hand. I love being able to keep the pretty jar on my bedside table instead of having to dig for a package in a drawer or cosmetic case.

keep wet wipes wet using a hinge top jar
The opened designed for use is a little too small to pull them all out at once, so keep them in a neat stack by cutting the packaging open
The opened designed for use is a little too small to pull them all out at once, so keep them in a neat stack by cutting the packaging open

One package of makeup wipes fits perfectly in my pint jar, and unlike even the best plastic packaging with a snap top, they stay evenly moist as long as I flip the lid closed after each use.

One package of makeup wipes fits perfectly in my pint jar, and they stay evenly moist as long as I flip the lid closed after each use.

Other Uses

I’m pretty excited to put this method to use in other areas. I typically just think of jars for food storage, but this inspires lots of ideas for storing pre-moistened wipes with packaging that manufacturers (intentionally?) create with seals that are not totally airtight, such as hand sanitizing wipes and cleaning wipes (i.e. pledge and clorox wipes). This is a great way to keep wet wipes handy without the visual clutter of packaging.

Supplies Needed:

Package of Make Up Wipes – I use Ponds “Moisture Clean” Makeup Remover (or another type of wipe! I think this would work with any wipe designed to stay moist- or even homemade wet wipes made with papertowels)

A hinge-top jar – it’s possible to find these at thrift stores, but often the gasket (the rubber bit around the top that forms a deal) will be aged and inflexible.  You can still use them, but you’ll need to replace the gasket with a new gasket for a tight seal. Gaskets can be purchased at Amazon.

keep wet wipes wet using a hinge top jar

My Brand

I use Ponds Moisture Clean Makeup Remover Wipes and love them. I have a unique makeup removal situation because I have very sensitive skin but I wear makeup that’s extra-waterproof. I tried probably a dozen different brands of makeup remover before I discovered Pond’s. Even my ultra-waterproof eyeliner comes right off with no eye irritation, no skin irritation, and leaves my face feeling clean, not coated with cleanser.

Susan

Tuesday 25th of January 2022

I find storing the package or the container on its side keeps all the towelettes moist. They need to package them this way.