The industry’s first mass-market disinfecting wipe made without quats, and with a 100% plant-based wipe, challenges decades of category stagnation

For decades, the disinfecting wipes aisle has been dominated by two legacy players, and one common formula approach: quaternary ammonium compounds as the primary active ingredient (“quats”), plastic wipes, and harsh chemical fumes that linger long after cleaning. Today, Biom announces a breakthrough poised to reshape the category.

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Introducing Biom Disinfecting Wipes, the first disinfecting wipe available at mass retail that is both quat-free and made with a 100% plant-based, biodegradable wipe material. Powered by plant-derived citric acid, Biom Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses*, including the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), in one step, without bleach, quats, ammonia, parabens, or phthalates. Joining Biom’s growing suite of innovative wipe products, including All-Purpose Wipes for everyday surfaces, Hand Sanitizing Wipes made with plant-based alcohol and aloe, and Flushable Wipes – Disinfecting Wipes extend the brand’s commitment to effective cleaning and simple formulations for every part of your routine.

“When we started digging into the disinfecting category, what surprised us most was how much consumers simply aren't told,” said Will Gahagan, Founder & CEO at Biom. “These products meet regulatory standards, but most still rely on quaternary ammonium compounds as their active ingredient - chemicals that have faced growing scientific scrutiny around potential health impacts. At the same time, virtually every major wipe brand uses plastic fibers like polyester in the wipe itself. For something used daily around our families, that disconnect felt hard to ignore.”

In recent years, disinfectant ingredients such as quats have faced growing questions from researchers and health experts, prompting questions from consumers about what they are bringing into their homes, schools, and shared spaces. At the same time, the science around those legacy chemistries is evolving. In 2023, a peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology formally classified quaternary ammonium compounds as a “chemical class of emerging concern,” citing suspected or known dermal, respiratory, developmental and metabolic effects. As ingredient transparency becomes a greater priority for consumers, questions about long-term exposure to certain disinfectant chemicals have grown.

Yet the majority of mass market disinfecting wipes still combine quats as their active ingredient and plastic wipe substrates.

Biom takes a fundamentally different approach. Its disinfecting formulation is built around plant-derived citric acid, a powerful active ingredient that works quickly while aligning with growing consumer demand for ingredient transparency. The wipe itself is made from plant-based fibers and contains no plastic, helping reduce long-term environmental impact in a category known for heavy plastic waste. The formula uses EPA Safer Choice approved ingredients and is designed for frequent, everyday use in homes, schools, gyms, offices, and beyond, with an effective botanical formula made from just water and 10 simple ingredients. And last, but certainly not least, their wipes are packaged in flexible film, which reduces plastic waste by 90% relative to the canisters which have long been the standard in the broader cleaning wipes category.

The launch also reimagines the user experience. Biom Disinfecting Wipes are designed to fit inside the brand’s award-winning, refillable dispenser, elevating both design and creating a user experience that you might actually find to be satisfying relative to the bulky disposable tubs that tend to hide under the sink. The disinfecting wipes are available in two scents, Alpine Mint and Fresh Citrus, offering a clean that smells fresh without overpowering the room.

With this launch, Biom is setting a new benchmark for performance, ingredient simplicity, and environmental responsibility in disinfecting.

“This category, above all others, really needs to change,” said Will. “It’s difficult to enter because of regulation (2+ year process) and you’re competing with two enormous brands who have dominated the majority of the market for decades. The end result is a controlled narrative that benefits the large corporations but keeps consumers largely in the dark.”

Biom Disinfecting Wipes are available now for as low as $4.99 per pack at getbiom.co and Target.

*when used as directed

About Biom

Wipes have not evolved for decades: 90% of wipes are made with plastic fibers that never break down. Most contain harsh ingredients used as preservatives or disguised in fragrance. They come in wasteful, frustrating packaging, creating an overall messy, forgettable experience. Biom is reinventing the industry creating plastic-free wipes made with simple ingredients that are housed in chic, refillable dispensers. It’s an elevated everyday essential that doesn’t compromise on safety, efficacy or style.

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