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Best Non-Toxic Paper Towels

We vetted paper towels against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.

Camille May

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

  • Unbleached cotton, bamboo, or other natural fibers, ideally sustainably sourced and organic
  • Free from fragrance, chlorine, PFAS, formaldehyde, dyes, and plastics
  • Certifications like OEKO-TEX® and GOTS whenever available
  • Brands that are transparent about sourcing, materials, and ethical practices

Best Non-Toxic Paper Towels

On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.

Bamboo Paper Towels

Betterway

Bamboo Paper Towels

Est. Price$29.99
10.0
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Meets the Welpr Standard

Buy Now

on Amazon

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Unbleached Paper Towels

Seventh Generation

Unbleached Paper Towels

Est. Price$20.49
7.0
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Meets the Welpr Standard

Buy Now

on Amazon

Bamboo Paper Towels

Save Trees

Bamboo Paper Towels

Est. Price$38.99
9.2
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Meets the Welpr Standard

Discount Code
WELPR
Buy Now

on Save Trees

Buy Now

on Amazon

Paper Towels

Caboo

Paper Towels

Est. Price$34.99
8.5
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Meets the Welpr Standard

Buy Now

on Amazon

Paper Towels

ECOlipak

Paper Towels

Est. Price$26.99
7.8
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Meets the Welpr Standard

Buy Now

on Amazon

How to Swap to Non-Toxic paper towels:

Here's how to swap to non-toxic paper towels:

What to know about paper towels

Paper towels are used throughout the day to wipe hands, clean surfaces, and handle food. Welpr looks at what they're made of and how they're processed, since many conventional paper towels include chemical treatments you might not expect.

  • Common additions include chlorine bleaching for whiteness, PFAS for grease resistance, and wet-strength coatings that can leave residues on hands and surfaces.
  • Because paper towels touch your skin and food frequently, the materials and processing matter more than you might think.

Review what you already use

Check the packaging or product page for your current paper towels. Look for clues about how they're made, what fibers are used, and whether any chemical treatments are mentioned or notably absent.

  • Look for terms like "unbleached," "chlorine-free," "PFAS-free," "no dyes," and "no added fragrance" — these are good signs.
  • If the packaging doesn't mention what the product is free from or how it's processed, that's worth noting when it's time to restock.

Use your current paper towels more thoughtfully

If you're not ready to switch yet, small changes in how you use paper towels can reduce unnecessary contact. This is especially worth considering when food is involved.

  • Avoid wrapping or covering hot food directly with conventional paper towels, since heat can increase the transfer of chemical residues.
  • Use a cloth towel or plate instead of a paper towel as a resting surface for fresh or cooked food.

Choose cleaner replacements

Look for paper towels made from unbleached or chlorine-free natural fibers like bamboo or recycled paper. The best options skip fragrance, dyes, PFAS, optical brighteners, and unnecessary performance coatings.

  • Certifications like OEKO-TEX® can help confirm safer materials and processing — look for them on the packaging or product listing.
  • Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved paper towels.
Camille May

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....

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Olushola M. Awoyemi

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...

View full profile