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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

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

Unbleached cotton, bamboo, or other natural fibers, ideally organic and sustainably sourced
Free from fragrance, chlorine, PFAS, formaldehyde, dyes, and plastics
No optical brighteners, chemical softeners, or unnecessary performance treatments
Certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS when available
Transparent sourcing, materials, and manufacturing 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.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Top Pick

Betterway

Bamboo Paper Towels

Free From: BPA Free, Chlorine Free, Dye Free, Fragrance Free, Non-GMO, PFAS Free, Plastic Free
Certified: FSC Certified, USDA Certified Biobased
Highlights: Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-free, Plastic-free packaging, Compostable packaging, Recycled materials, Food-contact safe, Money-back guarantee, Select-a-size, 2-ply, Tree-free

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Plastic-free packaging: individual rolls are wrapped in paper and ship in a cardboard box.
Absorbs well enough for everyday tasks like wiping counters, cleaning stovetops, and mopping up sauces.
Tears off the roll cleanly along the perforations, according to several people who highlighted easy tearing.
Half-sheet sizing helps control how much you use per task.

Cons

Noticeably thin; multiple people found they tear or fall apart when wet, especially under any tension.
Rolls are smaller than standard paper towel rolls, so they run out faster.
Texture feels scratchy and papery compared to conventional options.
The white variant in particular drew complaints about being far less absorbent than expected.

Made from bamboo pulp rather than virgin wood pulp, so no trees are harvested. Bamboo grows back after cutting without needing to be replanted, which is the core environmental argument for the switch.
The natural brown color isn't a dye; it's the color of unprocessed bamboo pulp. Betterway skips the whitening step entirely for this version, which reduces the water, energy, and chemicals involved in production.
2-ply with an embossed texture for grip and strength. Bamboo fibers are naturally strong but less fluffy than wood-based paper towels, so they work well for wiping and cleaning but feel denser rather than pillowy.
Select-a-size perforations let you tear off smaller sheets for lighter jobs. Betterway positions these as a complement to reusable dishcloths and sponges rather than a full replacement for every kitchen task.
For anyone switching to non-toxic paper towels, the tradeoff to know about: bamboo towels tend to be more compact than conventional rolls, so the rolls may look smaller than what you're used to even though the sheet count is comparable.

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Meets the Welpr Standard

Budget Pick

ECOlipak

Paper Towels

Highlights: Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-free, Plastic-free packaging, Food-contact safe, 2-ply, Tree-free

7.8

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Soft texture that multiple people compared to cloth, noticeably softer than cheap store-brand paper towels.
Works well for light tasks like wiping mirrors, drying hands, and using as napkins.
Rolls last a while since everyday use doesn't burn through sheets quickly.
Strong enough when wet for tasks like glass cleaning without tearing mid-use.

Cons

Absorbency is a recurring weak point; big spills require significantly more sheets than conventional options.
Sheets tear apart quickly when heavily soaked with liquid, limiting use for heavier cleanup jobs.
Rolls are noticeably smaller than standard paper towel rolls, roughly half the width.

Made from bamboo pulp rather than traditional wood pulp, so no trees are harvested. Bamboo is a grass that regenerates in months, not decades.
The lint-free texture makes these useful beyond basic spills. They can clean glass, mirrors, and countertops without leaving fibers or streaks behind.
FDA-compliant for direct food contact, so you can use them for tasks like drying produce, draining fried foods, or wrapping snacks without concern about chemical transfer.
Each roll is individually wrapped to keep out moisture, dust, and bacteria during storage. Helpful if you buy in bulk or store rolls outside the kitchen.
ECOlipak's broader product line is focused on replacing single-use plastics with plant-based alternatives (sugarcane plates, bamboo utensils, compostable bags), so these non-toxic paper towels fit within a company built around that specific material shift.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Seventh Generation

Unbleached Paper Towels

Free From: Cruelty Free
Certified: Certified B Corp, Leaping Bunny
Highlights: Fragrance-free, Recyclable packaging, Recycled materials, 2-ply, Tree-free

8.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Handles liquid spills and general kitchen cleaning well enough for everyday use.
No artificial scent, which makes people more comfortable using them around food prep and microwaving.
Buying in bulk means you won't run out for a long time.

Cons

Not soft; the texture feels noticeably rougher than conventional paper towels.
Thinner and less absorbent than non-recycled options, and multiple people found they tear easily when wet.
Struggles with sticky or semi-solid messes like jelly.

Made from 100% recycled fiber, with 80% of that coming from post-consumer sources like recovered office paper and newsprint. The fiber goes through a de-inking process before being turned into finished towels.
Unbleached, so the sheets have a natural brown color rather than the bright white you'd see from conventional paper towels. No chlorine processing is used.
Two-ply construction for a balance of absorbency and durability, though these are noticeably thinner than conventional non-toxic paper towels made from virgin pulp.
Seventh Generation was the first home care company to bring unbleached, 100% recycled paper products to market back in 1990. They've been a certified B Corporation since 2008.
Because recycled fiber costs more to source and process than virgin wood pulp, these typically run at a higher price point than conventional options.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Save Trees

Bamboo Paper Towels

Free From: BPA Free, Chlorine Free, Dye Free, Fragrance Free, PFAS Free, Plastic Free
Certified: FSC Certified
Highlights: Fragrance-free, Plastic-free packaging, Recyclable packaging, Compostable packaging, Recycled materials, Half sheet, 2-ply, Tree-free

8.0

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price
Save Trees
See price

Pros

More absorbent than expected; multiple people found they hold up well for cleaning spills and wiping counters.
Durable enough for repeated use without falling apart during cleaning tasks.
A 12-pack lasts roughly two months for a family of five, so the count goes further than the thinner sheets might suggest.
Texture is firm rather than soft, which most people found practical for cleaning purposes.

Cons

Noticeably thinner than conventional paper towels, which a few people found inadequate.
The perforation doesn't tear cleanly; sheets often rip unevenly, leaving part behind or pulling from the next sheet.
Rolls are smaller than standard "jumbo" sizes, so they run out faster on the holder.

Made from bamboo rather than tree pulp. Bamboo reaches harvest maturity in about three years and regrows after cutting, so no replanting is needed.
Each roll is perforated into half-size sheets, so you can tear off a smaller piece for lighter jobs instead of wasting a full sheet.
2-ply construction. The texture is noticeably stiffer than conventional non-toxic paper towels, which is typical of bamboo-based options.
Whitened using a hydrogen peroxide-based process rather than traditional chlorine bleaching, which is how they keep the sheets light-colored without harsh chemical residues.
Save Trees (formerly Cloud Paper) is a Seattle-based company founded in 2019 specifically to replace tree-based disposable paper. They partner with CarbonFund to offset delivery emissions and ship in plastic-free, post-consumer recycled packaging.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Caboo

Paper Towels

Free From: BPA Free, Chlorine Free, Dye Free, Fragrance Free, Non-GMO, PFAS Free
Certified: FSC Certified
Highlights: Cruelty-free, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-free, 2-ply, Tree-free

7.5

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Strong and durable enough to handle spills without falling apart, even when using just half a sheet.
Absorbent enough for everyday cleaning tasks and smaller messes.
Tears cleanly off the roll, unlike many recycled-paper alternatives.

Cons

Rolls are noticeably small; multiple people were surprised by how little product is on each roll compared to standard brands.
Texture is thinner and stiffer than conventional paper towels, which makes them feel rough to some people.
Heavier liquid messes require doubling up sheets to match the performance of thicker towels.

Made from bamboo rather than trees, so these are non-toxic paper towels that skip the conventional wood-pulp supply chain entirely. Bamboo regrows in 1-2 years compared to 30 years for the trees used in most paper towels.
2-ply sheets with an embossed texture, built more for heavy kitchen spills and cleanup than for light dabbing.
Caboo sources its bamboo from farms in China where the grass requires no chemical pesticides or herbicides to grow, and uses a fraction of the water that tree-based paper production demands.
Started by two brothers, a wife, and a friend who wanted to make tree-free paper products before bamboo alternatives were widely available. They've been at it for over ten years and also supply bamboo toilet paper and wipes.
Available at Whole Foods if you want to try a single box before committing to a subscription online.

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

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

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,...

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