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Something came in the mail today! I was really excited. It was the FinalWipe bundle. I had seen this on Kickstarter (was not a backer, though), and was intrigued. I loved the idea of having antimicrobial, bamboo wipes. I noticed that they were organic cotton, instead of the silver ion-infused bamboo, and the container was nice with a bamboo lid. Figured that’s all that had changed. Boy, was I wrong. Now, people have been using rags and cleaning solutions for awhile, prior to the toilet paper we all know and (most of us) use. So what makes this different?

The short answer is…nothing. As I was unboxing today, I honestly felt a bit cheated. The company states, “Quality is another one of our core values and we have spent the last few months reiterating the prototype to make sure we are creating the most convenient, useful, and beautiful product possible.” For $45.95, which is the current cost of this bundle, I expected more out of the fabric and container.

The wipes shown in the campaign, as well as in videos prior to their launch, are nothing compared to what was provided. The first thing I noticed is how ragged and thin the wipes are. They are made from organic cotton. Unlike the campaign, there is no mention on their site about bamboo fabric nor silver ions/antimicrobial properties in Final’s FAQ; the edges do not have a wide border, and the fabric feels quite thin. There are also quite a few threads and bits coming off of the wipes. The blanket, sink, and anywhere else the wipes went, were studded with bits of cotton since they were shedding so badly (make sure to wash before use). The stitching around the border also has threads coming off and is fraying…or completely missing, as you can tell from the above image. My guess would be that these last a couple of months of regular cleaning use and laundering before they begin to shred. The wipes are soft. One side has more of a washcloth texture and the other feels like microfiber. In terms of size, the regular ones (10 pack, but mine came with 11) measure 8″ x 8″, which was accurate. The travel wipes (5 pack), on the other hand, fell short of their 5″ x 5″ (3″ x 6″ mentioned on Kickstarter) size. They are also cut unevenly. It is noticeable with the smaller cloths than the larger ones. It looks like they were either cut by hand or the fabric wasn’t lined up to the machine properly. Since the wipes were initially marketed for bums, there is no way I would use these for that purpose. I’m also not sure if the cleaning solution, while non-toxic, is body-safe (especially if you’re using it in place of toilet paper). You are better off getting some thicker washcloths from your local dollar store. Mine also came with the paper band, that holds the wipes together, already detached. I just tried to wipe up a tablespoon of water with both wipes, and it just pushed the water around. They are not highly absorbent.

What was expected:

What changed:

In terms of the Counter Container, it is made of recycled plastic and a bamboo lid, not a pop-top. While the container looks nice, the lid is difficult to remove (due to the gasket). There is a smell that assaults your senses when the lid is removed, which could be from the treatment given to the bamboo. It has been airing out while I type this, and about an hour later, it’s finally dissipating. I also noticed several dark dots and spots on the container, which cannot be removed. Since the container is white, they really stick out. The plastic holding tub feels like a cheap trash can. Its only saving grace is the swing-out drawer for storing the tablets. I put some hot water in the container, which I don’t recommend doing (even though the instructions say that they hotter the water is, the faster the tablet dissolves) since it’s not insulated. I could smell the chemicals coming from the bottom drawer that has the other tabs, still in the wrapper, from the heat. I took them out, and am waiting for the container to cool. The instructions say to add 10oz of water. There is no fill line, which would be beneficial for those who can’t use a measuring cup or have certain disabilities, and will hopefully be added to a second version. Once cooled, the solution has no real scent, which is great for people who are sensitive to fragrance.

The Travel Container, which also changed from the one on their Kickstarter campaign, is made of the same plastic that their straw containers are made of. It’s not a “sexy case” as the description on the instructions say, and is about the size of a larger phone charger. There is a piece that allows you to attach it to a keychain. The hinge openings for the travel wipes are kept shut with small magnets. You place three clean wipes in the top. When you have used one, the dirty wipe goes in the opening at the bottom of the case. For convenience they are labeled on the inside. There is a divider that slides up when dirty wipes are placed in the bottom, so the clean one will be at the top. Unfortunately, if there is any more than a tiny amount of liquid in the towels, there is no way to stop that liquid from being squeezed out and leaching into your bag or wherever you store it. I’m not sure how you would sanitize the inside of the case if you needed to. There is a plastic spray bottle that slides inside the case. You know the plastic refillable water bottles from dollar stores, or the really inexpensive and poor quality water jugs that fit on top of some pet feeders? This is that plastic. I’m not sure if it is recycled as well, but I honestly don’t see this lasting long, even with impeccable care. There is no way to lock the sprayer to avoid accidental leaking/spritzing. You could turn the nozzle when you’re not using it, but that won’t do anything to prevent leaking.

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If there are so many cons, what are the pros? Convenience, I suppose. The wipes are soft, and the packaging was minimal. I completely understand that things can change throughout a campaign, including design, but quality should never be compromised. I really wanted to love the products, and after seeing Auri’s Buzzfeed video, I was excited for something that was quality and sustainable. After reading the comments on Kickstarter, backers are unsure that they are even getting the antimicrobial bamboo wipes that were described. One commenter even stated that they hadn’t felt that ripped off in years, which leads me to believe they did not receive the product(s) as they were described. The idea is there, but the execution was total crap. The company, in my opinion, did not do enough research and planning, and should have waited before launching their campaign.

I typically try not to pay for a first generation of anything. There are some things I have bought when they first arrive, only for them to be outdone by a second version. I’m not sure that the same case will apply to these. Certain updates were only provided to backers. Not to constantly harp on their Kickstarter/Idiegogo campaign, but that is where I drew my conclusions from before the product went live. Even after, as I saw the product bundles, I didn’t think that we would be purchasing something that wasn’t even remotely close regarding the wipes. They are simple, organic cotton washcloths. No information was changed on the campaign pages, either. As I mentioned, I was under the assumption that the material, but not the silver ion/antimicrobial properties. They did state that the CleanTabs would not be sanitizing as they has previously stated, but they would come out with that option in 2021 (…we’ll see). What they should have said was that, due to the pandemic, getting EPA compliance is taking longer than expected, so we have a cleaning version that will be available until we are able to get a sanitizing tablet approved. The container, which isn’t easy to open if you have any sort of problems/disabilities in opening/closing airtight lids, looks nice by comparison but isn’t the quality they tout.

I paid for the products myself, and wish that I could have been more supportive in my comments. Heck, even if they were gifted, I would have the same issues. I don’t see how this product is worth the money. I always ask myself, “If you saw this in a store, would you buy it?” Short answer here: No. I’m sure you’re wondering why I just don’t return it since there isn’t much to say that’s nice about it, and probably think, “Well, the same could be said for most things”. True. But this wasn’t nearly what was promised on their campaign. There is a lack of quality, as I’ve mentioned, and almost feels more like a misguided ploy. Perhaps if myself, and others, did they would make changes. I sincerely hope this doesn’t come off as sounding whiny. That isn’t my intent, nor is that the point. A company created a product line, asked for backing (many backers were already fans or previous backers), did not update, changed the product and were not transparent, lacked communication, and instead are selling a product that is quite frankly an embarrassment by comparison to what was promised. A team had to take the time to design the products and source materials, so why did they fall short?

This post, as negative as it is, will end on some pros. Using recycled plastic is great because more doesn’t have to be manufactured. The magnets help to keep the travel case closed where the wipes are kept. It is also lightweight, even with wipes and solution added, yet it’s bulky. I do like that you can pick your wipe color (white, grey, or black). Each side has a different texture, which is a nice, but overall, they do no better than any other microfiber-type cloth. The company is 1% for the Planet, which is great, but they still made a very inferior set of products. I hope that they rethink this product line and create something better. Save the money and get some high-quality (organic, if you prefer) cotton washcloths, any holding vessel–a jar work just as well, and (optional) favorite cleaning solution. Even in terms of traveling, all you need are some cloths and a wet bag. All that being said, if you are interested in giving these wipes a go, click here. Even with such a negative first impression, I want to see how well they actually clean. I doubt that I can test the antimicrobial factor since the material is completely different, but I can test out other claims. I will update you all soon.

If you have received this, let me know your thoughts. I’m especially curious about how Kickstarter/Indiegogo backers/purchasers feel and whether or not you got the product that was stated or the live version.

Peace & Love, always!