Best Non Toxic Toilet Paper
Swapping out your toilet paper may not be your #1 priority for your non toxic home, but it is well worth it!
Confession: Making the switch to a non toxic toilet paper was not on my radar 10 years ago when I started blogging; but with what I know now, it would 100% be one of the first swaps I would make. When you consider where you are using this product, it only makes sense to choose a clean brand to get you clean down there.
Let’s delve into some of the surprising chemicals that can be hidden in your white, ultra-plush, toilet paper.
*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
*Suzi(Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Why Does Non Toxic Toilet Paper Matter
Non toxic toilet paper may seem like just another thing that may be not worth the worry, but in fact I do think it is worth considering. Plus, I have vetted some brands so you can easily make the swap in your home.
Environmental Impact
Toilet paper, especially when made from virgin wood pulp, has a substantial environmental footprint—driving deforestation, emitting greenhouse gases, consuming vast amounts of water and energy, and polluting ecosystems with chemicals.
Each year, approximately 712 million trees are cut down to meet global toilet paper demand, with much of this logging occurring in areas like the Canadian Boreal Forest and Indonesian rainforests.
After use, toilet paper typically breaks down in wastewater treatment systems, but it can add bulk and chemicals to sewage sludge, increasing treatment costs and energy use.
Toilet paper production uses approximately 1,165 million tons of water annually worldwide.
Manufacturing toilet paper is energy-intensive, requiring about 17.3 terawatt-hours of electricity annually in the U.S. alone.
Alternative Materials To Look For
Bamboo
- Bamboo grows rapidly without the need for pesticides or fertilizers, making it a sustainable resource. It requires less water than trees and is naturally antibacterial and antifungal.
Recycled Materials
- Toilet paper made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper reduces the need for virgin tree pulp, helping to prevent deforestation.
- Look for brands that avoid chlorine bleach and instead use safer whitening processes like Elemental Chlorine Free Bleaching, Process Chlorine Free or hydrogen peroxide.
Toxins To Avoid In Toilet Paper
Chlorine – Used to bleach toilet paper for a bright white appearance. Unfortunately, this process can produce toxic dioxins and furans that can lead to cancer, liver problems, reproductive issues, and irritate the skin.
Three types of chlorine-related bleaching processes:
- Elemental Chlorine Free – Uses chlorine dioxide instead of elemental chlorine gas for bleaching.
- Process Chlorine Free – Used for recycled paper products, this process avoids re-bleaching with chlorine-based compounds. Instead, it uses alternative agents like oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide.
- Totally Chlorine Free – No chlorine or chlorine-based compounds are used at any stage. Instead, alternative bleaching agents like oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide are used.
Totally Chlorine Free is the best choice but Process Chlorine Free is a strong second choice especially for recycled products. If none of those options are available Elemental Chlorine Free is better than traditional chlorine bleaching.
BPA
Commonly found in recycled toilet paper because it originates from thermal paper and other recycled materials that retain BPA even after processing. BPA (Bisphenol A) should be avoided in toilet paper because it is a well-documented endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone function in the body.
Fragrance
Fragranced toilet paper can disrupt the natural pH balance of intimate areas. These fragrances may cause redness, itchiness, burning, and allergic reactions. Chemicals in fragrances are not always fully disclosed and may include substances that are potentially harmful or carcinogenic.
Formaldehyde
Used to strengthen toilet paper when wet, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions.
Dyes
Added for aesthetic purposes, dyes, especially those made from synthetic petroleum-based chemicals like benzene, toluene, and xylene, can cause skin irritation, redness, and allergic reactions.
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
While they are not added to toilet paper, they can be introduced during the manufacturing process, especially in recycled products. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are persistent in the environment and the human body and are linked to cancer, immune suppression, thyroid disease, liver damage, and reproductive issues.
What To Consider When Looking For Non Toxic Toilet Paper
Whether you’re strolling the grocery store aisle or scrolling online for non toxic toilet paper brands, look for a toilet paper brand that meets the following standards:
- Choose unbleached, fragrance-free, BPA-free and dye-free toilet paper.
- Look for brands that explicitly state they are PFAS-free.
- Choose toilet paper that is either Totally Chlorine Free, Process Chlorine Free (especially for recycled products) or Elemental Chlorine Free.
Best Non Toxic Toilet Paper Brands
Caboo
Caboo provides tree-free products such as toilet paper, paper towels, and baby wipes. Their toilet paper is a sustainable choice made of soft bamboo. It is also absorbent without any linty bits and septic-safe.
Materials
Caboo toilet paper is made out of bamboo which doesn’t require pesticides or herbicides to grow and takes less than one gallon of water per roll. Their bamboo pulp is bleached using a non-toxic ECF bleaching method, which is standard in the bamboo pulp industry. Also PFAS are also not added to their manufacturing process.
Certifications
- MADE SAFE (Made with Safe Ingredients) certified product (for their baby wipes).
- FSC (Forest Steward Council) certified
- BRC (Brand Reputation through Compliance) approved. A global benchmarked standard.
- Non-GMO Verified
Packaging
Select products are in plastic free wrapping with plans to replace more products with paper.
Price Range
$34.99 for 24 rolls
Where to Purchase
Caboo can be found online through their website, Amazon, Vitacost, and iHerb along with many major retail stores such as Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Wegmans, New Seasons Market, IGA, Safeway, London Drugs and more.
Review
This is the brand I’ve been using for years. I really like the price point and that I can get it on subscribe and save on Amazon. I do like the softness of the toilet paper as well. A couple drawbacks are it doesn’t come individually wrapped like some of the clean toilet paper options. That’s not a deal breaker for me but might be for you. Also, the rolls are a little smaller overall than other brands. I also like that it is PFAS free and made with a blend of bamboo and sugarcane. I was surprised to learn that Caboo toilet paper is bleached, but it utilizes a more environmentally friendly method known as Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) bleaching. This process employs chlorine dioxide instead of elemental chlorine gas, significantly reducing the production of harmful by-products like dioxins.
ecoHiny
Hiny’s bamboo toilet paper is made of plush 3-ply bamboo that prioritizes comfort and sustainability. It is also septic-safe and doesn’t leave behind any lint bits.
Materials
Hiny toilet paper is made of 100% organic bamboo – free of elemental chlorine (ECF), BPA, PFA, ink, and dye. Their toilet paper also comes individually wrapped which is great if you grab and go!
Certifications
Packaging
Plastic-free packaging.
Price Range
$19.99-$94.99 6 rolls to 48 rolls
Where to Purchase
Hiny can be purchased online via their website, Amazon and Target online.
Review
This is another brand I’ve tried several times. The packaging is so cute and the rolls are individually wrapped. It’s made of bamboo entirely and has a softness to it that feels nice. I also like that it’s easily available on Amazon. It is also free of PFAS. Yes, ecoHiny toilet paper is bleached, but it uses a non-toxic peroxide-based process rather than chlorine bleach. So this method is considered safer and more environmentally friendly.
Betterway
Betterway offers two types of 100% organic 3-ply bamboo toilet paper – bleached and now unbleached. Their unbleached toilet paper was ranked the most sustainable toilet paper by the Natural Resources Defense Council Their toilet paper is also septic safe and biodegradable. They also have a Happy Wiping Guarantee which is a 100 day return policy.
Materials
Betterway is made of 100% Organically Grown Bamboo and free of dyes, inks, scents or BPA’s.
Certifications
- FSC Certified
- Cruelty Free
- USDA Certified Biobased Product
Packaging
Plastic-free
Price Range
$29.99 for 12 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase online via their website and Amazon.
Review
This is a brand I’ve used for a while and really is great. They also come individually wrapped. In fact, I was excited to find that they just launched their unbleached rolls! Their toilet paper before was white(they still carry this option) but it’s bleached. And now they also have a new option that is unbleached and brown. It feels softer too. I would be purchasing now and getting the new unbleached version!
The Cheeky Panda
The Cheeky Panda is a British company based out of London that provides four types of FSC-certified sustainable bamboo toilet paper – unbleached or natural color, quilted soft, silky soft double rolls, silky soft. Their toilet paper is super soft, entirely plastic-free and also works with most septic tanks.
Their silky soft 3-ply toilet paper was rated No. 1 eco-friendly toilet paper by Good Housekeeping. For every purchase, Cheeky Panda donates to support the WWF’s incredible conservation work.
Materials
The Cheeky Panda toilet paper is made of FSC-certified bamboo, free of fragrance, inks, BPA’s and 100% vegan.
Certifications
- B Certified Corporation
- Vegan Society Registered
- FSC Certified
- Cruelty Free
Packaging
Plastic-free
Price Range
$22.00-$48.00 for 12-24 rolls
Where to Purchase
Online via their website and Amazon.
Review
The Cheeky Panda comes in a large toilet paper bag similar to Caboo. It’s not individually wrapped. Also, it feels a little cheaper overall. Like how you might get a roll from a store- just not as nice. It’s not as soft and feels thinner overall. Cheeky Panda is not bleached using the traditional toilet paper method but instead with hydrogen peroxide as a whitening agent. This process makes it more environmentally friendly compared to traditional chlorine bleaching methods. Also, PFAS free.
Save Trees
**Top Pick For Non Toxic Toilet Paper**
Save Trees is a Seattle-based business that sells 3-ply toilet paper, paper towels, and facial tissues made with 100% bamboo. In addition, their toilet paper is free of PFAS, inks, dyes, and scents, and is septic friendly.
Materials
Save Tree is made with FSC-Certified bamboo.
Certifications
Packaging
Plastic-free
Price Range
$49.99 for 24 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase online via their website and Amazon and also through retailers like, Erewhon, Ace Hardware, Good Earth Market, Island Natural, Hank’s Organic, Down to Earth Organic and Natural, along with other health food stores.
Review
This was the softest toilet paper I used! It’s made from bamboo and is PFAS free. It does come individually wrapped. It is bleached still but they use a better method of bleaching. It’s called Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) bleaching. Instead of using elemental chlorine gas, it uses chlorine dioxide. This helps to reduce toxic byproducts. Definitely a winner for overall softness!
Repurpose
**Runner-up Pick For Best Non Toxic Toilet Paper**
Repurpose offers a range of paper products for the kitchen and bath including non-toxic toilet paper. Their 3-ply bamboo toilet paper is free of chlorine, BPA’s, inks, dyes, and fragrance. It is also septic-safe and no PFAS are added.
Materials
Repurpose is made of 100% bamboo.
Certifications
- 100% FSC Certified Bamboo
Packaging
Plastic-free packaging
Price Range
$32.99-$63.99 for 12-36 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase Repurpose products online via their website, Grove Collaborative, Thrive Market and at many retail grocery stores including, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Haggens, Albertsons, QFC, Thriftway, and more.
Review
This toilet paper gets second place when it comes to softness. It is also individually wrapped, and made of bamboo. They are PFAS free and not bleached with chlorine. But instead with a safer method as I had mentioned above either using Processed-Chlorine Free method, hydrogen peroxide or Elemental Chlorine- Free Bleaching. I also love the feel of this toilet paper!
Reel
Reel toilet paper is tree free, made of soft and strong 3-ply FSC-Certified bamboo. Each roll of toilet paper comes individually wrapped and is BPA free, fragrance free, chlorine free, and doesn’t use inks or dyes. With every box sold, Reel contributes to reforestation projects around the world.
Materials
Reel toilet paper is made with FSC-Certified bamboo.
Certifications
- B Certified Corporation
- FSC Certified
Packaging
Plastic-free
Price Range
$27.99-$82.99 for 12-48 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase online via their website and Amazon and also through major retailers like Target, Giant Eagle, Erewhon, Nugget Markets, Raley’s, Fred Meyer and more.
Review
This was the first time I tried Reel toilet paper. It has a medium softness. It wasn’t the softest toilet paper I tried but it wasn’t horrible. It does come individually wrapped. I like that it’s made from 100% bamboo and is also PFAS free. It is bleached still but they use a better method of bleaching. It’s called Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) bleaching. Instead of using elemental chlorine gas, it uses chlorine dioxide. This helps to reduce toxic byproducts.
Tushy
Tushy 3-ply toilet paper is designed for bidet users. Their toilet paper is made of silky-strong, sustainable bamboo, and the bamboo that they use is non-panda food. They are also free of elemental chlorine and BPA free.
Materials
Tushy is made of 100% Bamboo.
Certifications
Packaging
Plastic-free
Price Range
$29-$79 for 8-36 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase online via their website, Amazon, and Walmart.
Review
I thought this was going to be an exceptional toilet paper experience because of the packaging and cost and reviews but I was disappointed! So was my husband. It feels like paper towels- not soft. It is unbleached, so brown paper which I appreciate. I also was surprised to learn that when tested for PFAS, Tushy was found to contain organic fluorine- which means PFAS are present. Overall, not impressed with this toilet paper.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation offers two types of 2-ply bathroom tissue – one with 100% recycled fiber and one that is whitened without chemicals containing chlorine. Their toilet paper doesn’t contain any added dyes, inks, or fragrances and is also septic-safe.
Materials
Seventh Generation toilet paper is made of 100% recycled tissue.
Certifications
Packaging
50% recycled #4 plastic film, which is recyclable with other plastic films like grocery bags. 97% of their packaging is either reusable or recyclable.
Price Range
$4.99 – $111.96 for 4-24 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase online via their website, Amazon, Target, Whole Foods, iHerb, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Vitacost, Walmart, Grove Collaborative.
Review
This is a brand you can easily find at many big box stores. It’s a better alternative but not perfect. They whiten the toilet paper without using chlorine but instead use something called Processed Chlorine-Free. Using this process helps to avoid the formation of harmful chlorinated compounds. It’s not the softest either. I’ve also read that they have found some organic fluorine in the toilet paper, which means there would likely be PFAS in the product as well.
Target Ever Spring
Ever Spring is a Target only brand that offers a “healthier” toilet paper. This 2-ply bathroom tissue is whitened without chlorine bleach, free of added dyes and fragrances, and is also septic safe.
Materials
Ever Spring toilet paper is made of 100% recycled tissue.
Certifications
Packaging
The external packaging is made of plastic.
Price Range
$7.49-$13.39 for 12-24 rolls
Where to Purchase
You can purchase it at Target.
Review
I was excited to see Target stepping up and offering a better toilet paper option. Not sure if this contains PFAS. It likely probably does because it’s made of recycled paper and recycled paper gets contaminated during the recycling process. It’s not the softest but it does feel a bit softer than Seventh Generation. I’m not sure what they used for the whitening process since they do state they don’t use chlorine. Since we know that I can gather it’s likely a more natural process as I’ve mentioned above. Either using Processed-Chlorine Free method, hydrogen peroxide or Elemental Chlorine- Free Bleaching.
Greenwashed Toilet Paper Brands To Skip
- Charmin – I would skip this brand because there are multiple class action lawsuits claiming that they are using sustainability certifications in misleading ways. They also claim to plant two trees for every one used. However, the lawsuit claims that they are not replanting according to the original ecosystem of the Canadian boreal forest.
- Angel Soft – I would also skip this brand as it uses virgin pulp as well and there’s a good chance that formaldehyde is used to give the toilet paper its strong texture.
Additional Non Toxic Paper Products For Your Home
Paper Towels- So many of the toilet paper brands I listed also offer paper towels too. Here are a couple of my favorites:
Tissues- Can’t forget about tissues! Here some of my favorites below:
Paper Plates- Sometimes you just need a paper plate. These ones are better options as they’re unbleached, and also biodegradable.
Napkins– These are a great alternative to conventional bleached napkins.
Did I miss your favorite non toxic toilet paper brand? Share it below!
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