ÖKO-TEST examined 21 paper handkerchiefs, including inexpensive own brands from supermarkets, discounters and drugstores as well as well-known branded handkerchiefs from Kleenex and Tempo. The surprising result: the well-known market leader ends up in last place.
After the cold season comes the allergy season for many – and the handkerchief is used quite often. In the 10/2021 issue, ÖKO-TEST examined a total of 21 paper handkerchiefs. In addition to an extensive practical test, in which tear strength, absorbency and softness were examined, among other things, a laboratory examined the handkerchiefs and their packaging.
Specifically, they looked for harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, glyoxal, optical brighteners and controversial organohalogen compounds.
A total of nine wipes scored “good” – but only one product received “very good”. Eleven others get the rating “satisfactory”. You can read the detailed test report Read it for a fee at ÖKO-TEST.
ÖKO-TEST: handkerchief test winner
Only one handkerchief scores “very good” in the test: The “Thank you handkerchiefs 100% recycled fibers with four layers” scores “very good” in terms of ingredients and is also convincing in the practical test. It is very tear and wash-resistant and consists of 100% waste paper. In terms of price, the product is more in the upper range; you pay around 17 cents for 10 handkerchiefs.
The nine handkerchiefs rated “good” are also made from waste paper. These include the following products:
- Alouette recycled handkerchiefs from Rossman
- Naturliebe recycling handkerchiefs from Edeka
- Favora handkerchiefs recycling by Edeka and net
- K-Classic handkerchiefs recycling by Kaufland
- Best Choice Eco Recycled Handkerchiefs From rewe
- Soft & Safe Handkerchiefs Recycled by dm
- Soft Star The Conscious Recycle handkerchiefs from miller
Critical substances in branded handkerchiefs
Especially the branded handkerchiefs cannot convince with the ingredients. In the Kleenex “Daily Safe” handkerchiefs contain halogenated organic compounds. In the practical test, however, they perform “well”. Overall, it is still enough for the grade “satisfactory”.
The “Pandoo Bamboo” handkerchiefs made from bamboo fibers also contain the critical compounds. In the practical test, the grade of 2.4 is just enough for the rating “good”. This means that the Pandoo towels also get the overall rating “satisfactory”. The same applies to the “Smooth Panda” handkerchiefs made of bamboo.
Particularly surprising: the well-known brand Tempo ends up at the bottom of the ranking. The wipes perform “very well” in the practical test, but in the ingredients subcategory it is only sufficient for the rating “sufficient”. There are also halogen-organic compounds in the Tempo handkerchiefs. They accumulate in the environment and can also trigger allergies.
Overall, the critical compounds are found in more than half of all handkerchiefs tested.
To the detailed test of ÖKO-TEST