Do you know what's in your toilet paper?

Posted on July 01 2026

Have you ever stopped to think about what's actually in your toilet paper? Most of us probably haven't. It's something we use every day without a second thought, assuming it's simply paper and therefore completely safe.

Sarah from Low Toxin Rabbit is one of my favourite researchers when it comes to uncovering what's really in the everyday products we use. She sifts through the marketing claims, and presents the information in a way that's practical and easy to understand. This time she's taken a closer look at toilet paper, and what she found is certainly food for thought.

Recent research has detected PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals", in a number of mainstream toilet paper brands. While we're exposed to PFAS from many different sources, this article explores why toilet paper has become part of the conversation, how these chemicals can end up in paper products, and what lower-tox alternatives are available if you'd prefer to reduce your exposure.

It's a fascinating read and another great example of why Sarah's research is so highly regarded in the low-tox community.

From Sarah Low Toxin Rabbit

Most of us don't think twice about toilet paper. It's just assumed to be safe. It's such an everyday product that we tend to grab whatever is on special and move on. But over the last few years, research has raised some real concerns about what's actually in mainstream tissue paper. And considering how often we use it, and where on the body, it's definitely worth a closer look.

What the Research Has Found

A 2023 study from the University of Florida tested 21 major toilet paper brands sold across North America, Central and South America, Africa, and Europe. The researchers detected PFAS in every single sample, including recycled paper and those marketed as sustainable alternatives. PFAS compounds in toilet paper have since been detected in wastewater and sewage sludge, where they accumulate and persist in the environment.

PFAS are a class of several thousand synthetic chemicals that don't break down naturally. They're used widely in manufacturing for their water and grease resistance. In toilet paper, they're thought to enter either through the manufacturing process itself, through recycled paper feedstock that contains PFAS from other sources, or through intentional use as a processing aid.

The concern isn't just environmental. Chronic PFAS exposure has been linked to immune disruption, hormonal interference, liver effects, and increased risk of certain cancers. In late 2023, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified PFOA, one specific PFAS compound, as a Group 1 carcinogen. This means it is carcinogenic to humans. While ingestion through food and water is considered the main route of PFAS exposure, emerging research is starting to suggest that dermal absorption may also play a role, particularly with shorter-chain PFAS. When you consider how often toilet paper is used and where on the body, it's a worthwhile reason to look at lower-tox options.

Chlorine Bleaching and the Residue It Leaves Behind

Most conventional toilet paper, including well-known brands like Kleenex toilet paper and supermarket own-label bathroom tissue paper, gets its bright white appearance from chlorine bleaching. This process can produce chlorinated compounds called dioxins and furans as byproducts. These are persistent organic pollutants with known toxicity at very low concentrations.

Studies have detected dioxin residues in bleached paper products, including toilet paper, though the levels found are typically low. The issue is cumulative exposure over time. If you're using conventional bleached toilet paper several times a day, every day, the question isn't whether a single use is harmful but whether daily, long-term exposure to low-level residues is a worthwhile risk when safer options exist.

Some manufacturers use an alternative called Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching, which reduces but doesn't eliminate organochlorine byproducts. The genuinely cleaner standard is Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Processed Chlorine Free (PCF), which uses alternatives like hydrogen peroxide or ozone. Bamboo toilet paper brands tend to use these methods more consistently than conventional wood pulp products, though it's worth checking individual certifications rather than assuming.

Fragrance, Formaldehyde, and Other Additives

Scented toilet paper and antibacterial bathroom tissue paper introduce additional concerns. Synthetic fragrance compounds in tissue paper can trigger skin irritation, and some have been linked to allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Formaldehyde resins are sometimes used to improve wet strength in toilet paper, and residual formaldehyde is a known irritant and a Group 1 carcinogen.

None of these ingredients are required to be disclosed on toilet paper packaging in New Zealand or Australia. There's no ingredient labelling obligation for toilet paper in either country, which means consumers have very little visibility into what's actually in the product.

Safer Options That Have Been Verified

The good news is there are brands that have taken steps to verify their products are free from PFAS, chlorine bleaching residues, and unnecessary additives. Here are some options worth considering, with verified credentials where they exist.

Australian Options

EcoCheeks is an Australian bamboo toilet paper brand that has committed to PFAS-free production and uses totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching. Their tissue paper is unscented, free from BPA and other plastic coatings, and the packaging is plastic-free.

Wype.eco is another Australian brand focused on bamboo bathroom tissue paper. They use TCF bleaching and use 100% organic bamboo fibers. They are also PFAS and formaldehyde-free.

New Zealand Option

EcoRoll uses FSC® 100% certified bamboo and are Lab certified PFAS-free. They also use no plastic packaging. They also use TCF bleaching.

When evaluating any bamboo toilet paper or alternative tissue paper brand, look for: TCF or PCF bleaching certification, independent PFAS testing results, fragrance-free formulation, and plastic-free packaging. If a brand doesn't publish this information or can't provide it on request, that's worth factoring into your decision.