- Write the specification first — fabric, GSM, sheet size, count, formula direction, pack type. Samples are judged against it.
- Pick a benchmark — the product your customers already know. Buy several packs from the same batch.
- Use the same conditions — open packs at room temperature, on the same day, and test the same number of sheets from each.
- Blind the test — remove branding so testers judge feel and scent, not the logo.
Short answer
Evaluate wet wipe samples in three layers. First, run simple desk checks you can do yourself against your benchmark: count, sheet size, wetness, smell, softness, lint, strength and how well the pack reseals. Second, ask for documents that only a laboratory can produce: microbiology, challenge test, stability and any claim tests. Third, score each sample in the same way, record the result, and approve one as the golden sample that production will be checked against.
How should you prepare before samples arrive?
What should a wet wipe sample scorecard include?
| Criterion | Simple desk check | Score 1–5 |
|---|---|---|
| Count and sheet size | Count every sheet; measure 5 sheets with a ruler | Matches label and spec? |
| Wetness | Wipe a dry surface; note if it drips or feels dry by the end | Even and consistent? |
| Liquid loading | Weigh 5 wet sheets, dry them fully, weigh again, compare | Close to the benchmark? |
| Softness and thickness | Blind hand-feel panel of 3–5 people | Preferred to benchmark? |
| Strength | Pull and scrub a textured surface; check for tearing | Stays intact? |
| Lint | Wipe a dark glass or cloth; look for fibres | Little or none? |
| Scent | Smell fresh and after 24 hours open | Right strength, no off-notes? |
| Pack and reseal | Open and close 30+ times; check lid or sticker hold | Still seals? |
| Drying in use | Leave a pack closed after opening for several days; weigh before and after | Moisture kept? |
| Dispensing | Pull 20 wipes one-handed | One at a time, no pop-ups lost? |
These are practical comparisons, not standard test methods. They tell you which sample customers will prefer and catch obvious problems early.
Should you check the pH yourself?
A quick reading of the squeezed-out liquid with a calibrated pH meter (or, less precisely, pH strips) helps you compare samples and spot a formula that is far from the target. But the supplier’s batch pH result, measured on the liquid and finished wipe, is what you write into the specification and check at each order. pH targets for different products are discussed in pet wipes vs baby wipes and feminine wipes.
Which results must come from a laboratory?
| Item | Why it matters | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiology | Counts and absence of specified organisms | Limits such as ISO 17516 (ISO) |
| Preservation (challenge) test | Protection over shelf life and in use | ISO 11930 (ISO) |
| Stability | Supports shelf life and PAO | Supplier’s stability protocol |
| Claim tests | Dermatological, eye-area, flushability, disinfection | Depends on claim and market |
Ask whether reports cover the exact formula and fabric you are sampling, and who holds them. The full test list is in wet wipes quality testing.
How do you decide and approve a golden sample?
- Total the scores; any “must-have” failure (such as tearing or drying out) rules a sample out.
- Send specific feedback: “10% wetter”, “less fragrance”, “softer fabric, same GSM”. Vague comments lead to vague revisions.
- Repeat with revised samples until one sample meets every must-have.
- Sign and date the approved sample, keep half, and let the supplier keep the other half. This is the reference for production and inspection.
- Record the agreed specification values (count, size, loading, pH, GSM) next to it.
Pre-shipment inspection then compares production against this golden sample, using AQL sampling (see sourcing wet wipes from China).
What are the red flags in samples?
- The sample feels very different from the stated GSM or fibre.
- Count or size differs from what was quoted.
- Strong odour that may be masking something, or an off smell after a few days.
- Pack that will not reseal, or wipes that dry out within days.
- No test documents for the formula, or reports for a different product.
LX Wipe sends samples free of charge, usually within 7–10 days once the specification is agreed; shipping terms are confirmed with the quote.
Put our samples on your scorecard
Send your benchmark and specification. We prepare free samples so you can test them side by side before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare wet wipe samples?
Use one scorecard for every sample and your benchmark: count, size, wetness, liquid loading, softness, strength, lint, scent, reseal and drying. Test blind and under the same conditions.
How can I measure liquid loading at home?
Weigh several wet sheets, let them dry completely, and weigh them again. The weight difference is the liquid; compare it to the dry weight and to your benchmark.
Which wet wipe tests need a laboratory?
Microbiology, preservation (challenge) testing, stability and claim tests such as dermatological or flushability testing. Desk checks cannot replace them.
What is a golden sample?
The signed, approved sample that production must match. Buyer and supplier each keep part of it, and inspection compares production against it.
Are LX Wipe samples free?
Yes. Samples are free and usually ready within 7–10 days once the specification is agreed; shipping terms are confirmed with your quote.
Sources
- ISO 17516:2014 Cosmetics — Microbiology — Microbiological limits
- ISO 11930:2019 Cosmetics — Microbiology — Evaluation of the antimicrobial protection of a cosmetic product
- ISO 2859-1: Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes
Regulatory information is a summary for buyers and is not legal advice. Check the official sources and your own compliance adviser before launch. Last reviewed 18 October 2026.