Thinking of switching to unbleached, chemical-free toilet paper? Honestly, good call! Unfortunately, the regular toilet paper you’re using every single day is bleached and filled with chemicals. Especially if you have sensitive skin, BPA-free toilet paper is the only choice as it’s completely free from Bleach and its by-products, PFAS and fragrance. We tried and reviewed dozens of chlorine-free toilet paper brands to find the ones that are worth a spot in your bathroom.
- For more safe options, check out the Sustainable Razors For Men & Women and the 10 Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for a Greener Home
Our Guide to Unbleached, Chemical-Free Toilet Paper Brands
Did you know that the average person uses about 100 rolls of toilet paper each year? That’s a lot of paper going down the drain! But here’s the kicker: most of that TP is filled with nasty chemicals and harmful substances that are bad for both our bodies and the environment.
Granted, when you think about living sustainably, toilet paper might not be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s just paper, right? Wrong! Choosing truly chemical-free toilet paper is more important than you might think.
Not only does it help protect your health by avoiding skin irritants and potential toxins, but it also plays a crucial role in reducing deforestation, pollution, and overall environmental impact.
Before we jump into the chemical-free toilet paper brands, let’s first have a look at the harmful chemicals that are hiding in our regular shmegular rolls.
The Problem With Conventional Toilet Paper
Bleach and Its By-Products
Let’s kick things off with bleach. Yep, the same stuff you use to clean your bathroom is also used to make your toilet paper sparkling white. Bleach is used in the paper-making process to whiten and soften the paper.
When bleach breaks down, it produces by-products like dioxins. Dioxins are some seriously nasty chemicals linked to various health issues, including hormonal disruptions, immune system damage, and even cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified dioxins as highly toxic, and exposure can cause reproductive and developmental problems. Studies have found that even low levels of dioxin exposure can lead to severe health consequences over time.
The production of bleached paper releases dioxins into the environment, contaminating water sources and harming wildlife. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dioxins are known to accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals. This means that the toxic effects of dioxins can persist and magnify as they move up the food chain, ultimately affecting human health as well.
PFAS – aka The Forever Chemicals
Next up, we’ve got PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily in the environment. They’re used in TP to make it more resistant to moisture and tearing.
Basically, they help your toilet paper hold up under, ahem, pressure. PFAS have been linked to a whole host of health problems, including liver damage, thyroid issues, and even increased risk of cancer.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to PFAS is associated with higher cholesterol levels, weakened immune systems, and lower birth weights. And here’s the worst part – they can accumulate in your body over time, which is definitely not what you want from your TP.
Because PFAS are so persistent, they end up lingering in the environment for years, contaminating soil and water.
According to the EPA, PFAS has been detected in the drinking water of millions of people across the United States. They’ve been found in the blood of fish, animals, and even humans, raising significant concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts.
Fragrances and Dyes
Ah, fragrances and dyes. They might make your toilet paper look and smell nice, but don’t be fooled. These additives are far from harmless. Fragrances are added to mask any unpleasant odors, and dyes are used to create those cute little patterns we sometimes see on TP.
Synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues. They often contain phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors.
According to a study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, many synthetic fragrances can contain up to 200 different chemicals, many of which are not listed on the label. As for dyes, they can also cause skin irritation and have been linked to more serious health concerns like cancer.
The Skin Deep database by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists numerous dyes that are commonly found in personal care products, including TP, as potentially hazardous.
The production and disposal of fragranced and dyed TP contribute to pollution. The chemicals used can contaminate water sources and harm aquatic life.
The Environmental Science & Technology journal reports that many synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. This means that their production also contributes to the depletion of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases.
Formaldehyde
Last but certainly not least, we have formaldehyde. This chemical is used to enhance the wet strength of toilet paper, making it less likely to fall apart when it gets wet. Sounds practical, but there’s a dark side.
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, long-term exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to cancers of the nose and throat.
It’s also an irritant to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, causing symptoms such as burning sensations and respiratory issues. Not exactly what you want from something you use in such a sensitive area!
Formaldehyde can also leach into the environment, contaminating air and water. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that formaldehyde is particularly harmful to aquatic life and can disrupt entire ecosystems.
It also contributes to smog formation and air quality issues, affecting not just wildlife but also human communities living nearby.
What’s The Best Non-Toxic Material for Toilet Paper
The best material is by far organic chemical-free bamboo! Bamboo toilet paper is free from the nasty chemicals found in conventional TP.
Because bamboo fibers are naturally soft and strong, there’s no need for chemical treatments to achieve the desired texture and durability. This means no bleach, no fragrances, and no formaldehyde.
Another amazing fact? Bamboo fibers are naturally hypoallergenic, making bamboo toilet paper a great option for people with sensitive skin or allergies. It’s gentle on your skin, reducing the risk of irritation and allergic reactions.
If you’ve ever experienced a mystery rash from conventional TP, switching to chlorine-free toilet paper made of bamboo could be your saving grace.
If that wasn’t enough, bamboo has natural antimicrobial properties, which means it can help reduce the presence of bacteria. This doesn’t mean your TP is sterile, but it’s a bonus for maintaining better hygiene in one of the most important rooms in your house.
To top it all off, Bamboo is grass, not a tree, and it grows incredibly fast—up to 35 inches per day! This rapid growth makes it an exceptionally renewable resource. Unlike trees, which can take decades to mature, bamboo can be harvested in just a few years without the need for replanting. Using bamboo for toilet paper can help reduce the pressure on forests and prevent deforestation.
Every day, 27,000 trees are cut down just to meet the global demand for toilet paper. By switching to bamboo, we can help preserve these vital ecosystems and protect biodiversity.
8 Best PFAS and Chlorine-Free Toilet Paper Brands in 2024
1. Cloud Paper
Price: $46.54 for 24 Rolls
Organic? Check. Biodegradable? Double-check. Cloud Paper’s ultra-soft 3-ply sheets are made responsibly from sustainably sourced bamboo. It’s FSC-certified, PFAS-free, and completely chlorine-free – a kinder, gentler option for you, your family, and even your septic tank! Whether you’re at home, on the road in an RV, or setting sail, Cloud Paper’s got your back (and your bum). Cloud Paper’s bulk packs give you more for less—300 sheets per roll, to be exact. To top it all off, the rolls are wrapped in completely plastic-free packaging.
2. Tushy Premium Bamboo Toilet Paper
Price: $26.10 for 8 Rolls
Bidet users, this one’s for you! Tushy is one of the most highly reviewed PFAS-free toilet paper brands of 2024 and for a good reason. This bamboo toilet paper is crafted from 100% unbleached, silky-strong bamboo fibers. So, it’s a sustainable choice that even pandas would approve of (don’t worry, we leave their bamboo snacks untouched). The brand is both ECF (Elemental chlorine-free) and FSC-certified, so you know it’s as responsible as it gets.
Plus, it’s compostable, so your conscience stays as clean as your bum. Plus, with 300 sheets of butt-soothing softness, this three-ply bathroom paper is so gentle you might wonder if you even went. Recyclable and plastic-free, it’s the sustainable choice that’s septic tank safe too. Just flush it and forget it—no worries here!
3. Cabboo Tree-Free Toilet Paper
Price: $34.19 for 24 Rolls
Looking for a sustainable toilet paper swap that’s easy on the planet and your bum? Caboo’s Tree-Free Toilet Paper is your green go-to. Made from viscose bamboo—a super-fast-growing, renewable resource—this toilet paper is the ultimate eco-friendly choice. Caboo’s organic toilet paper is flushable, quick-dissolving, and septic-safe, so it plays nicely with all sanitation systems. Each roll is hypoallergenic, BPA-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, lint-free, and non-GMO project verified. I also love that it’s tear-resistant, crumple-proof, and kind to sensitive skin. Whether you’re at home, in an RV, or hitting the road, this toilet paper is ready to roll wherever you go.
4. EcoHiny PFAS & BPA Free Toilet Paper
Price: $31.49 for 12 Rolls
When it comes to toilet paper, why settle for anything less than pure? The EcoHiny non-toxic toilet paper is entirely made entirely from FSC-certified bamboo—right down to the core— making it soft, strong, and gentle on sensitive skin. Free from BPA, PFAS, and other nasty chemicals, the 350 sheets of plush, durable tissue per roll are pure and hypoallergenic. Plus, the brand guarantees that all rolls are biodegradable, septic-safe, and break down easily, making it RV-friendly too. The cherry on top? EcoHiny offsets more than 100% of our carbon footprint.
5. Better Way Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper
Price: $28.49 for 12 Rolls
In a blind test of top-selling sustainable brands, 96% of people picked Betterway as their top choice for softness. It is, after all, unscented, dye-free, and made from 100% all-natural, non-GMO bamboo. And the brand is so confident you’ll love their organic chemical-free toilet paper, they give you 100 days to test it out, risk-free. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, return it hassle-free—but trust us, your bum won’t want to part ways.
Betterway’s 3-ply rolls are packed with 360 sheets each, giving you almost twice the length of other leading brands. It’s the best value in bamboo TP, saving you trips to the store and keeping your bathroom stocked longer. What’s more, over 7.000 Amazon reviewers agree that this unbleached chemical-free toilet paper offers superior strength and double absorption, thanks to its neat-tear technology and double-texture weaving pattern.
6. Reel Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper
Price: $43.69 for 24 Rolls
Reel is not only one of the best chlorine-free toilet paper brands, but they also claim that their product is “life-changing.” 2.000+ users agree! Reel Bamboo Toilet Paper is made from 3-ply 100% bamboo. No trees, no plastic, no chlorine, no inks, and no dyes. With 24 rolls per box, you’re stocked up and ready to make a positive impact with every flush. The toilet paper is ultra-soft and strong, giving you the quality you expect without harming a single tree. Plus, each roll is individually wrapped in biodegradable, recyclable materials, and even the tape is plastic-free.
7. Who Gives A Crap Unbleached Chemical-Free Toilet Paper
Price: $32 for 16 Rolls
Who Gives A Crap brings you luxuriously soft and ultra-strong toilet paper that’s as cushy as it gets, with double-length 3-ply rolls for extra comfort. Plus, it’s biodegradable and septic-tank-friendly, so your plumbing will be just as happy as your bum. In addition to being made without a single tree, these rolls offer the softness and strength you expect, but with the added bonus of a clear conscience. The best part? The brand donates 50% of their profits to charity partners working in water, hygiene, and sanitation.
8. Grove Co. Safe, Strong Toilet Paper
Price: $37.99 for 18 Rolls
Non-toxic toilet paper that’s tree-free, chlorine-free, and sustainable? Yes, please. Grove’s 3-ply tree-free toilet paper, is designed with three cushiony, absorbent layers that deliver a gentle yet strong clean. With the durability of 40 standard rolls packed into just 8, you’ll get more bang for your FSC-certified bamboo with rolls that last longer than your usual TP. And if that wasn’t enough, Our Grove’s PFAS-free toilet paper comes packaged in recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes, which can be upcycled after use.
In Conclusion
In a nutshell, unbleached chemical-free toilet paper is a stellar choice for anyone looking to make a positive impact on both their health and the environment. Its natural properties make it gentle on the skin, and its sustainability credentials are hard to beat. So next time you’re shopping for TP, give bamboo a try. But make sure you only choose strong, hypoallergenic, BPA-free rolls.
