We know that flossing is good for us, but is it good for the environment? If you're someone who makes a habit of using natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly products, you may have thought about what happens to the floss you throw away and the plastic containers that are left when the floss runs out. The unfortunate truth is that these waste products aren't great for our planet. But the good news is that you can easily find an eco-friendly alternative!
If you're not sure where to start, we've compiled a list of our top 10 eco-friendly flosses. Our number one pick? The Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss from Mother Earth. This floss is made from bamboo, which is a renewable resource and is 100% biodegradable. It also comes in a refillable glass container that's packaged in a cardboard box, so there's no plastic to toss out. Keep reading for our other favorite flosses!
Quick List - Top Eco-Friendly Flosses
Mother Earth
An Eco-Friendly Floss that's Vegan and Cruelty-Free
Jaeyoung is an oral health educator and dental disease preventer passionate about paving the way for patients to embark on their journey to proper oral hygiene. She graduated from UNC School of Dentistry in 2018 and served on the UNC SOD SPURGEON Student Government. She's always trying to keep up with new dental research articles and products to help her patients choose compatible products that work with their lifestyles. She's also a coffee lover and mom to two Bengal cats and multiple plants!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Table of Contents
Traditional floss is made mostly of nylon or plastic and often housed in a single-use plastic container. Not only do these materials take a lot of resources to make, but they also can’t be easily broken down when we’re done using them.
When we throw our floss and containers away, they can sit in landfills for hundreds of years or end up in our waterways and pose hazards for marine life. Switching to eco-friendly floss may seem like a small thing, but think about how much floss you use in a year - it adds up!
When choosing an eco-friendly floss, it's important to be aware of the materials used to make the floss, container, and packaging. We've laid out the pros and cons of different common materials, as well as some additional factors to consider.
Floss typically comes in two styles: picks or loose floss. Both come in eco-friendly options.
Floss picks are single-use tools that have a small piece of floss at one end and a toothpick-like point at the other end. They’re easy to use and don’t require as much mobility as regular floss. However, because you’re using the same section of floss for your entire mouth, it can result in transferring bacteria between different areas.
They also create more waste than regular floss since you toss each one after use. Most eco-friendly floss picks are made of a mixture of cornstarch and plastic for durability. While these picks aren’t compostable, they’re better for the environment than full plastic versions.
A lot of my patients use the floss picks because they are easy to grab and use. They require quick, one-hand motions, which is less time-consuming. They can be also more hygienic since the floss thread doesn't need to touch the fingers.
Bacteria can be transferred between different areas, but it's more important that bacteria is being disrupted under the gums towards the teeth. Mouthrinse can be used to flush away the bacteria after flossing.
Most floss pick handles are made out of plastic, and the actual floss is waxed and made out of nylon. Handles made of bamboo or cornstarch and silk or charcoal wax tips may be better for the environment.
For some people, loose floss can be difficult to handle because it requires some dexterity. However, compared to floss picks, it's typically more effective because it has the ability to bend and wrap around the curves of your teeth. It's also more hygienic since you can take a long piece of floss and use a clean section for each tooth.
When it comes to eco-friendliness, loose floss is a better choice than floss picks. While picks are generally not compostable, there are many options for 100% biodegradable floss that come in recyclable or reusable containers.
I personally like the loose floss because patients are able to control the floss better, resulting in a more thorough and gentle deep flossing. People with arthritis and other dexterity issues may have trouble using loose floss, though, because it requires both hands.
Since there are many options for 100% biodegradable floss and loose floss removes more bacteria efficiently, I would personally go with loose floss.
Standard floss is typically made from plastic or nylon. If you're looking for an eco-friendly option, try silk or bamboo!
Silk is a natural material derived from silkworms. It’s more eco-friendly than the typical nylon or plastic floss since it comes from a renewable resource and is biodegradable. While silk is a fairly strong material, silk floss may be more likely to break than standard floss.
One downside to silk is that it's typically not cruelty-free since the silkworms are killed in the harvesting process. However, there are a few eco-friendly floss brands that use Ahimsa silk (also called peace silk), which is cruelty-free.
If you experience any shredding when you floss, there may be a rough or sharp area around your filling or natural tooth structure. Shredding can also be due to tartar buildup.
Ask your dental professional about ways they could smooth the area out to prevent shredding, and make sure to go in for regular cleanings to remove tartar buildup to prevent gum disease.
Bamboo floss is another popular eco-friendly option. Because bamboo grows back quickly and its products are biodegradable, it’s a great sustainable resource. Bamboo farming also uses less water and less energy than making plastic floss products. And bamboo floss is vegan!
Since bamboo toothbrushes have been more popular lately, people may look favorably to bamboo floss. Bamboo floss only takes around 60-90 days to decompose in a compost pile. It may be also flavored with an essential oil such as tea tree or peppermint.
When shopping for eco-friendly floss options, you’ll likely see many that include activated charcoal. Brands often claim that charcoal works to remove toxins and whiten teeth; however, the effectiveness of charcoal in floss has not been widely studied.
While we don’t recommend buying charcoal floss just for the purported benefits of charcoal, some people find that the darker color of the floss makes it easier to see the plaque that has been collected.
Charcoal is known to absorb bad odor and attract bacteria which can lead to better oral hygiene. More research needs to be done on activated charcoal for dental professionals to confidently promote it.
Since it's easier to see the plaque removed with the charcoal floss, patients and consumers can be more motivated to use it often knowing about much food and bacteria can come out.
While silk and bamboo are the two most eco-friendly floss materials, they’re not for everyone. Some people prefer the texture and durability of nylon floss. While nylon is not biodegradable, you can often find nylon floss products that use reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging. This can be a great way to reduce your use of plastic.
Nylon floss is the strongest type of floss in the market, but some people may not be able to use eco-friendly floss if they experience shredding.
Instead, some nylon floss may come in eco-friendly packaging that impacts the planet in a positive way. I encourage you to look for products that come in eco-friendly packages.
Not only is standard floss non-biodegradable, it often comes in a plastic container too. When looking for an eco-friendly option, make sure to take the packaging into account.
Some eco-friendly flosses come in a reusable container, often made of glass or stainless steel. This is a great low-waste option, as you only need to purchase the container once, and then you can continue to purchase floss refills as you need them.
With this option, take a quick look at how the refills are packaged to make sure they don’t create unnecessary plastic waste. Some brands package them in recyclable cardboard or compostable soy bags.
You can also buy eco-friendly flosses with single-use compostable or recyclable packaging. Often these will consist of a cardboard container that you recycle when the floss runs out.
Whether you use waxed or unwaxed floss ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both are effective in keeping your gums healthy.
Waxed floss has a thin coating of wax around it that sometimes contains flavor. Because of this, it’s often slightly thicker than unwaxed floss. However, the wax acts as a lubricant, making it easier to get between the teeth despite its thickness.
While standard floss typically uses chemicals to create the wax coating, eco-friendly flosses are often waxed with candelilla wax, which is naturally derived from the candelilla plant.
Unwaxed floss has no coating, so it's sometimes easier to slide between tight teeth. It’s also a good option for those looking for an unflavored floss. However, unwaxed floss can be more prone to breakage or fraying since it doesn’t have a protective outer layer.
I personally prefer waxed floss because it allows you to gently shimmy the floss in between your teeth efficiently without fraying or shredding the floss. The mint flavoring also gives a clean feel after use.
Candelilla wax is vegan-friendly and regarded as safe by the FDA. For pregnant and nursing women, though, I would ask a medical professional before using floss with Candelilla wax.
Whether your floss is flavored or unflavored doesn’t make a difference in its effectiveness, but some people prefer a minty fresh feeling after flossing. Standard floss uses a chemical coating for flavor. With standard floss, there are many flavor options including mint, bubblegum, and fruit flavors.
Eco-friendly flosses typically use essential oils for flavor, with peppermint being the most common. Because eco-friendly flosses are still fairly new, it may be difficult to find other flavors. If you’re not a fan of peppermint or if you like to floss before eating and don’t want a minty taste, look for unflavored floss.
Essential oils such as peppermint oil can help remove bacteria and fend off gum irritation, while tea tree oil can fight against harmful bacteria and fungus.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mother Earth Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss with Refillable Glass Container|2 pack | ![]() | An Eco-Friendly Floss that's Vegan and Cruelty-Free | |
2 | GOGRS Biodegradable Natural Silk Floss|3 pack | ![]() | A Dreamy Silk Floss for a Better World | |
3 | The Humble Co. Natural Dental Floss Picks|4 pack | ![]() | Double-Threaded Picks for the Ultimate Clean | |
4 | Radius Natural Unscented Silk Dental Floss|3 pack | ![]() | An Unscented Biodegradable Silk Floss | |
5 | Lucky Teeth Organic Bamboo Fibre with Activated Charcoal Floss | ![]() | A Bamboo Floss With Organic Essential Oils | |
6 | Doctors Dental Floss for Tight Teeth | ![]() | A Vegan Floss in a Compact Tin | |
7 | Skyhigh Dreams Eco Friendly Dental Floss|3 pack | ![]() | A Bamboo Charcoal Floss in a Sleek Steel Dispenser | |
8 | Isshah Natural Dental Floss Picks|4 pack | ![]() | Minty Picks for Easy Flossing | |
9 | Eco-Dent Gentlefloss Premium Dental Floss | ![]() | A Vegan Floss in a Recyclable Box | |
10 | TreeBird Biodegradable Dental Floss with a Refillable Glass Holder | ![]() | A Cruelty-Free Silk Floss |
This charcoal floss from Mother Earth will leave your teeth and your conscience feeling clean. Made from bamboo charcoal fiber, the floss is 100% biodegradable and breaks down in approximately 60 to 90 days. It's coated with natural candelilla wax with a minty fresh feel from peppermint oil.
Not only is the floss eco-friendly, but the packaging is as well. The floss comes with a reusable glass container that has an aluminum lid, so you can keep refilling when your floss runs out! The package contains two 33 yard bundles of floss. And the whole thing comes in a recyclable cardboard container.
Some reviewers weren't fans of the floss itself, saying that it was too thick or that it broke too easily. Others found the design of the lid difficult to use, saying that they had trouble looping the floss around to cut off a piece to use.
However, the majority of reviewers thought this floss was fantastic. They said it was sturdy and they liked its rough texture, which was good for picking up any leftovers between their teeth. They also thought the glass container was cute and they loved that the packaging is earth-friendly.
While we might be most familiar with silk in products like shirts and scarves, it also makes an excellent eco-friendly floss. This natural floss from GOGRS is made from silk and coated with candelilla wax for a fully biodegradable product that can glide smoothly between teeth.
GOGRS is intentional with its packaging as well. The floss comes with a sleek refillable glass container and two extra refills. The whole thing is packaged in a box made of kraft paper and a bag made of cornstarch, which are both 100% biodegradable!
Some reviewers said this floss broke when they tried to use it. Others found the floss to be painful on their gums. Some didn't like the texture, saying that the wax was bumpy and uneven. However, many other reviewers praised this floss' texture, saying that the natural silk and wax were better at cleaning their teeth than traditional smooth floss.
Reviewers also found the glass container to be stylish and liked that it took up less space in their bathroom than a plastic floss container. And they appreciated the brand's attention to sustainable packaging.
Make flossing a piece of cake with these floss picks from The Humble Co. These single-use picks feature a double thread to ensure that all food debris is removed and a shape that allows you to reach all those hard-to-get nooks and crannies. The thread is not waxed but has a xylitol and mint coating for a fresh feel.
While floss picks are usually made from plastic, these are constructed primarily from cornstarch, making them more eco-friendly. They're also packaged in paper rather than plastic. However, the floss thread is made from polyethylene, a type of plastic that is not biodegradable.
Some reviewers didn't like these floss picks, saying that they were difficult to get in and out of their teeth. Others said that the floss got stuck, shredded, or broke during flossing. A few reviewers noted that these picks do contain some plastic in the handles, making them less eco-friendly than other options.
However, many reviewers praised these floss picks for being super effective at cleaning their teeth. They said the double layer of thread helped remove food rather than push it further in. And they found the threads to be strong and sturdy.
This biodegradable pure silk floss from RADIUS is made without preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or GMOs, so you can feel good about what you're putting in your mouth. It's unscented and waxed with candelilla wax, derived from candelilla shrubs in the Southwestern U.S. desert.
And the floss isn't only good for the environment, it's made humanely too! The silk thread is spun at the CORSEDA Fair Trade Co-op in Colombia, which supports more than 80 families. The packaging isn't reusable like other brands, but it's free of plastic and the container is made of sustainable paperboard.
A couple of reviewers said that the package came apart, so it was difficult to use this floss. Some others found that the floss broke too easily and frequently during use. Those with tight teeth found that this floss tended to shred.
However, most reviewers found this floss to be very effective. They said it's slightly thicker than standard floss, which helps to remove more plaque and debris. Those with sensitive mouths appreciated the natural ingredients and many liked that this floss is unflavored.
This charcoal bamboo fiber floss from Lucky Teeth is both polished and practical. It's made from bamboo fiber and activated charcoal and is waxed with natural candelilla plant wax. Organic tea tree oil helps kill fungus and bacteria that cause gum disease, and organic peppermint oil is cooling and anti-inflammatory.
The floss itself is 100% biodegradable, breaking down in about 60 to 90 days. And it comes in a refillable glass container decorated with adorable little teeth designs. If you want to have extras on hand (or to give to friends), you can purchase this floss in a two- or three-pack as well.
Some reviewers found this floss to be too thick or irregular. For those with tight teeth, this made it difficult or painful to floss. Others said that the thickness made it difficult to thread the floss through the lid of the container.
However, many reviewers thought this floss was a wonderful, eco-friendly alternative to standard floss. They liked the dark color of the floss, which made it easier to see what it had removed from their teeth. And they also praised its strength and subtle but pleasant flavor.
Instead of the ubiquitous glass containers, DOCTORS floss comes in an eco-friendly refillable container made of tin. It's compact, easy to travel with, and shatter-proof! The vegan floss is made of nylon and is only slightly waxed, so it will fit smoothly between tight spaces.
The tin comes in six different designs, so you can choose a package that fits your style. And it holds 110 yards of floss instead of the standard 33 yards, so it will last you a long while!
Some reviewers found that the case rusted quite easily. Others mentioned that it came apart when trying to dispense the floss. However, many reviewers liked this floss. They said it was strong and durable and those with tight teeth found that it worked well. They also enjoyed the minty flavor.
This bamboo floss is vegan, sustainable, and earth-friendly. It's made from the pulp of the fast-growing bamboo tree and is treated with activated charcoal, which gives it a dark color. Plant-derived candelilla wax helps the floss glide through teeth and grab onto debris. And the minty fresh flavor will leave your mouth feeling brand new.
This package comes with three bundles of floss and a durable steel dispenser. They're packaged in a compostable wax paper sleeve and a recyclable cardboard box for a product that's truly eco-friendly.
Some reviewers found that the floss was too thick, saying that it broke during flossing or was painful on their gums. However, most reviewers gave this floss five stars. They liked the texture of the natural fibers and said that it was flexible and strong. They also appreciated the steel dispenser and the included refills.
If you prefer to use floss picks but feel bad about the plastic, these natural picks from Isshah are a great alternative. While they aren't biodegradable, they're made from a mixture of cornstarch and plastic, which is more eco-friendly than standard floss picks. And these come in a recyclable paper box.
These picks feature a thin nylon thread that can slide between tight teeth to clean and stimulate gums, as well as a pointy end to help remove small particles. Each pick has a minty flavor that will leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean
Some reviewers complained that the threads on these picks shredded easily. Others weren't able to detect any mint flavor. Some reviewers found the advertising to be misleading, as these picks aren't compostable - they just use less plastic than the standard floss pick.
However, many reviewers thought these picks worked perfectly. They said the picks themselves were sturdy and easy to grip, and the floss was thin and slid smoothly between their teeth. Many of them said they had zero problems with breakage and liked these better than the full plastic picks.
This floss from Eco-Dent is waxed with rice bran, contains no animal ingredients, and is not tested on animals, making it 100% vegan. It's made with a blend of 11 essential oils including peppermint, lemon, fennel, rosemary, and lavender, to help eliminate plaque and freshen breath.
While the floss itself is made from non-biodegradable nylon, the packaging is better for the environment than a typical plastic floss container. The box is 100% recyclable and doesn't contain any plastic or metal bits.
Some reviewers didn't like the packaging, saying that it was difficult to use or that the box came apart. Others found the texture of the floss to be too rough. Some reviewers with tight teeth said that the floss shredded too easily.
However, many reviewers liked the thinness of this floss, saying that it was easy to clean between crowded teeth without it getting stuck. They appreciated the amount of floss included, saying that it lasted a very long time. And they really liked the recyclable packaging for less waste!
This silk floss from TreeBird not only looks beautiful, but it's great for the environment too! The floss itself is made from peace silk, which is cruelty-free and biodegradable. It's waxed with vegan candelilla wax with a fresh mint flavor.
The floss comes in a reusable glass container and you can easily purchase floss refills when you run out. The brand strives to make its packaging eco-friendly as well, using a compostable kraft paper box, soy inks, and compostable clear stickers to keep dust out.
Some reviewers didn't like this floss, saying that it got stuck between their teeth or broke quickly. Others found that it tended to fray if the same section of floss was used too many times. Some weren't fans of the glass container, saying that it could break too easily.
However, many reviewers were pleased to have found a floss that uses cruelty-free silk. They said the floss was a good thickness, easy to use, and left their teeth feeling clean. And the fact that the floss and packaging are compostable was just the cherry on top!
Looking for more natural and eco-friendly products? Check out our favorite toothpastes, toothbrushes, and nail polishes that are good for you and good for the environment!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Mother Earth|Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss with Refillable Glass Container|2 pack
No. 2: GOGRS|Biodegradable Natural Silk Floss|3 pack
No. 3: The Humble Co.|Natural Dental Floss Picks|4 pack
No. 4: Radius|Natural Unscented Silk Dental Floss|3 pack
No. 5: Lucky Teeth|Organic Bamboo Fibre with Activated Charcoal Floss
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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