This is a post in an ongoing feature on Her Packing List called “The One Little Thing“. Each week or two, I’ll be interviewing a traveling lady to find out the one little thing she just can’t travel without. This one comes to you from Ashley.
What’s the one little thing you can’t travel without?
A tube of Wysi Wipes. They are essentially little tablets, smaller than a bottle cap, that turn into single-use moist towelettes when you add water.
>> Check out Wysi Wipes on Amazon.
Why has this one item been so important to you?
They can be used as a wash cloth while traveling, as a dish cloth while camping, as an on-the-go sponge bath in the Bangkok airport at 2 AM, for first aid, for general cleaning and probably a million and one other things.
How packable is it? Does it take up much room? Is it heavy?
The tablets are light as a feather and you can easily pack a tube of 10 of them for the same size and weight as a tube of lipstick or mascara.
Would you recommend this to your travel friends?
In a heartbeat. Friends that travel, friends that hike, friends that have kids and need something for quick cleanup in their diaper bag… it is truly such a versatile product.
Can you name one situation where you were glad to have this item with you?
When I was traveling home from Southeast Asia, there was a massive 41 hour window of travel that included a ferry to the mainland, a bus to the airport, a flight to Bangkok Domestic Airport, a bus transfer between Bangkok airports, a night spent on the floor in Bangkok International Airport, and then a flight to Tokyo before finally crashing in the bed at our layover hotel before flying back to Canada. After a hot, sweaty day spent traveling, an airport sink sponge bath with a Wysi Wipe and a little bit of hand soap was an absolute godsend.
How did you hear about this item?
I actually used to work at a restaurant that would bring a little bowl of hot water with a Wysi Wipe to clean your fingers after you ate chicken wings. Random? It was meant to be.
What sort of traveler is this item perfect for?
Anyone who will be spending any amount of time away from creature comforts – whether you’re traveling through countries with different standards of included hygiene items in their hotels or backpacking through the mountains with no access to indoor plumbing. Or, if you just want a nice alternative to a “wet wipe” to throw in your bag.
About the Author: Ashley is a free-spirited traveler and adventure enthusiast who resides near the Canadian Rocky Mountains. When she’s not globetrotting, she works as a hairstylist and spends her days off hiking, biking, cooking, and planning her upcoming adventures. Follow along at www.adventuretoanywhere.com, twitter @adventuretoany, and instagram @adventuretoanywhere.
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These sound perfect! Just wondering, are they more like a a dry babywipe/towelette or a compact paper towel? I am essentially wondering if there is already cleanser in the the wipes or if these work as a goon stand-alone?
Hi Lacey!
They don’t already have cleanser in them…so I guess they’re more like a compact paper towel 🙂
I too am a hairstylist. I too live in the Rockies, in Colorado. I’m a distance backpacker. I’ve hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, twice, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Long Trail in Vermont. I too am nuts about my bike. I’m currently planning my first El Camino Frances. I’ll be there August, less than 30 days.
Your site cracks me up. I haven’t been on it long, but the stuff you’ve found for travel is cool. Most of it I’ve been saying, what is it?? Made my husband get off the sofa to see them! Just goes to show I have my system and I use it over and over again. I’m thinking of branching out and trying some of these.
Thanks…thought I’d say hello.
These look brilliant! I wonder if you can get them in Australia. I always take a mini pack of wet wipes but they never feel very ecofriendly. Maybe these are and if not at least they’re smaller so less space in the landfill.
Thank you for a great review!! I love to read the versatile uses people find for a Wysi! Our slogan is Rinse-Reuse-Repeat. Compost!
Reading the responses I’d like to point out Wysi is compostable, biodegradable and w/ zero additives and NO fragrance they’re earth AND family friendly! Akin to a washcloth with total convenience -on the go- so you feel at the sink clean. Anywhere. Any time.
I am eagerly awaiting a New Addition to our product line … **Wysi Baby** will be available in a Starter Kit [100 wipes w/ To Go Tube); the tube is also sold separately]. This new skus will be on store shelves in September. Best retail source is Babies R Us in Canada. Parents can choose not to expose children to added chemicals as the wipe is dry until needed. Sometime water is not enough so our wysibaby.com site has recipes to make a natural solution in your kitchen for diaper and or baby wipes.
Thanks again for the review!!
if you have any contest or giveaways, i would be pleased to offer up some product! Or give your followers a promocode. I’m always open to opportunity 🙂 Thanks again -C