Wipes are many times similar to the familiar baby wipes, moistened and ready to clean up small messes. Some wipes have added ingredients like extract from the aloe vera plant that may produce a slight medicinal effect. Washcloths and wipes may be very important to certain people working with incontinence, keeping the person clean and thus keeping the skin cleaner and healthier. Wipes are convenient as well. Washcloths are cheaper in that you can wash them again, but wipes you don't have to clean - you can just throw them away after use. Both have their place.