Paper towels, the trusty sidekicks for many, have been helping us mop up messes for decades. However, the truth of the matter is that most paper towels on the market are hiding some dirty secrets. From chlorine to formaldehyde to dyes and more, many disposable paper towels are more like the toxic villains of our cleaning sessions than the spill cleaning heroes that they are often made out to be. It's time to expose their harmful ways and make the switch to chemical-free paper towels.Â
Below is a list of substances currently found (or used during production) in many traditional paper towels on the market. Remember, most of the ingredients below don't have to be disclosed to consumers. Chances are, if you use standard paper towels, they probably contain these ingredients:
Chlorine (bleaching): Many conventional paper towels are bleached with chlorine. However, the chlorine bleaching process releases harmful chemicals into the air during production, which causes pollution and other potential environmental degradation. [1] Choosing chlorine-free paper towels can help to alleviate these environmental concerns.
Furans & Dioxins: These are by-products created by the chlorine bleaching process (mentioned above) and common containments found in many products. Exposure to these chemicals over time may lead to health concerns such as liver problems, reproductive issues, cancer risks, and other potential health related effects. [2]
Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is another additive found in some paper towels. It is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing) and can cause irritation as well as lead to other possible health issues. [3]Â
Dyes: Ever notice the pretty print pattern found on various paper towels? Well, they often contain synthetic dyes that can leach harmful chemicals when wet, making them unfit for everyday (or any day!) use. [4] Opting for dye-free paper towels can relieve this concern.
Fragrances & Phthalates: Some paper towels may be packed with artificial fragrances that can trigger allergies or sensitivities. Not to mention, phthalates are commonly present in fragrances and are known to be endocrine-disruptive chemicals. [5]
Per- & Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS): These human-created substances are toxic fluorinated chemicals that are likely linked to health concerns including reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, cancer, and more. [6] [7]
Make sure your other household paper products are safe by checking out my posts about non-toxic toilet paper and eco-friendly tissues!
It can be challenging to find safe paper towel brands when the ingredients used to make them don't have to be disclosed. So, what do you do when searching for non-harmful paper towel choices that promote healthy cleaning solutions? Well, I have done the research for you by finding four household heroes that provide biodegradable and non-toxic paper towel alternatives.
Top Non-Toxic Paper Towel Options
The below selection of paper towels is eco-friendly and free of harmful additives while being made with safe paper towel materials. Below are my top four choices for safer clean-up.Â
Panda Eco Paper’s paper towels are made from ethically sourced bamboo that’s free of pesticides. The paper towels are unbleached, which allows them to remain their natural brown bamboo color. They are certified PFAS-free and are free of paraffins, Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS), formaldehyde, dioxane, polyethylene glycol (PEGs), fragrances, chlorine, and heavy metals. I appreciate that Panda Eco Paper is transparent about their manufacturing methods and that they do their best to offer chemical-free products.
Available on their website.
If you prefer more traditional looking paper towels, but without the harmful additives, Caboo’s paper towels provide a decent option. They are made from sustainably grown bamboo and implement the Elemental Chlorine Free bleaching method to get the coloring of conventional paper towels, but with less chemicals (not quite as good as zero bleaching though). I reached out to them and affirmed that their paper towels are free of BPA, nylon, parabens, and fragrances. They did mention that they do not add formaldehyde to their products, but since it is a naturally occurring substance, they cannot affirm that trace amounts will not be present (I appreciate their transparency about this). They also confirmed that their products are tested for PFAS with an accredited independent laboratory and they did not detect any PFAS.
Purafide paper towels are made from bamboo and are hypoallergenic. They are free of toxic chemicals like chlorine (no bleach is used on any of their bamboo products), formaldehyde, dyes, and BPA. I followed up with them and affirmed that their products do not contain any petroleum-based additives since this information is not specifically stated on their website. Also, they do test the paper towels for PFAS with none being detected.
Find them on their website.
Betterway paper towels are hypoallergenic and made with panda-friendly bamboo. They are unscented, dye-free, paraben-free, BPA-free, and are completely free of any type of bleaching with a 100% bamboo core. I reached out to them and received confirmation that their products do not contain any formaldehyde or petroleum-based additives, and in their independent testing last year (2023) no PFAS were detected.
The above selection offers safe paper towel options that can easily join your non-toxic household product go-tos in moments of mess. Also, they are all made from bamboo which is preferable to paper as bamboo is a highly sustainable and renewable resource, helping to preserve forests and reduce environmental impact.
Next time you reach for a paper towel, make sure it’s a non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative that allows for chemical-free cleaning so you can save the day without harming the planet or your health.
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