As more people realize that many of the products we use every day aren’t eco-friendly and are full of harmful chemicals, they’re making the smart move toward safer, more sustainable options. But let’s be honest-the switch can feel totally overwhelming. Suddenly, everything from laundry detergent and candles to cleaning supplies and cosmetics is up for debate. It’s hard to know where to start or what to change first!
Our view? First, change the products you use the most. You may be thinking about sunscreen or dish soap, but what we’re talking about is toilet paper. We come into contact with it multiple times a day and use it on our most intimate areas-you don’t want to use toilet paper that’s harmful, irritating, or low-quality.
This is why we created our own Toilet Paper. It’s made from 100% sustainable bamboo that’s better for you, your family, and the planet. It’s one of the best ways to create a healthier, cleaner home without sacrificing the luxurious toilet paper you know and love. But, if you’re still not convinced this is the right move for you, in this post we’ll dig deep about what makes bamboo toilet paper better and safer than the alternatives.
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Non-Toxic?
Good bamboo toilet paper is completely non-toxic without sacrificing quality-which is why it’s one of the best sustainable alternatives to traditional TP. Regular toilet paper is full of chlorine bleach, fragrance, dyes, and/or lotions. (Here’s more on how toilet paper is toxic.)
High-quality bamboo toilet paper like what we have here at The Skinny Confidential, isn’t processed with chlorine bleach, fragrances, dyes, or any other synthetic ingredients. That makes it hypoallergenic. Plus, bamboo toilet paper has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Basically with bamboo toilet paper, you get all the good-none of the bad.
How Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Made?
Even bamboo toilet paper production is eco-friendly and sustainable. It starts with sustainably harvested bamboo-one of the fastest-growing, pesticide-free plants on the planet. Once the stalks are cut, they’re chopped into chips, soaked in water with natural enzymes, and gently pulped using heat and steam. This creates a soft, fibrous slurry without the use of any harsh chemicals at all.
To give it that clean, bright look, the pulped bamboo goes through a chlorine-free whitening process with hydrogen peroxide or oxygen-based solutions. The pulp is then dried, pressed into sheets of reel paper, and rolled into massive jumbo rolls. Finally, it’s cut, perforated, and embossed. Then it’s ready for your bathroom. Good for you. Good for the planet.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Bamboo Toilet Paper?
Pros
Sustainable
Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable material for toilet paper! It can grow up to 3 feet a day and regenerates without needing to be replanted. That means bamboo farming takes up less space and allows for repeated harvesting, helping reduce deforestation and the strain on old-growth forests used for traditional wood-pulp toilet paper. And, if that wasn’t impressive enough, bamboo also grows with no pesticides or fertilizers.
Softer
Bamboo fibers are naturally soft and smooth, which makes the material naturally super soft. (Conventional toilet paper is soft because of heavy chemicals.)
Thicker
Bamboo fibers are stronger than other wood-pup, making it thicker and more durable. This is a big reason bamboo toilet paper is a better sustainable option over other tree-free toilet paper and recycled brands, which usually compromise thickness and strength.
More Absorbent
The natural thickness and moisture-wicking properties of bamboo toilet paper make it more absorbent. That means you need fewer sheets per roll to achieve the same level of clean.
Free of Chlorine & Formaldehyde
Bamboo toilet paper brands like ours skip harsh chemicals like chlorine and formaldehyde to whiten and preserve the paper. Safer alternatives like oxygen-based brighteners give bamboo that clean look without the toxins.
Free of BPA, PFA, & Plastic
Recycled toilet paper sometimes seems like a solid, safer choice for toilet paper, however . . . it can contain BPA, PFA, and plastics from the recycled material. Bamboo toilet paper doesn’t have any of that.
Free of Inks or Dyes
No artificial colors or printed patterns-just clean natural paper. To give our Toilet Paper the luxurious look and feel you want from a premium TP, it’s embossed with the TSC logo.
Low Carbon Footprint
Cultivation of bamboo is super efficient and takes very little resources-bamboo doesn’t even need much water! Responsible bamboo toilet paper brands like ours will also often source their bamboo from FSC-certified farms, where the procedures of harvesting and processing are designed to minimize environmental impact.
Biodegradable & Septic Safe
If you have low-quality toilet paper, you’re probably supplementing with flushable wipes-but those things are not septic safe or biodegradable, even when they say they are. Instead of using a secondary product, just get a better quality product that is safe for your septic system and biodegradable. We’re talking about bamboo toilet paper, of course!
Cons
Higher Price
Bamboo is usually more expensive than the toilet paper you’re used to grabbing at the grocery store. But, remember, bamboo toilet paper is also thicker and more absorbent than standard TP, meaning a little goes a long way!
Less Availability
You probably won’t find bamboo toilet paper at your typical big-box store-it’s just not as widely available. But, with our subscribe and save option, you can get a month’s supply delivered straight to your door. It doesn’t get easier than that.
Prone to Greenwashing
You have to really look out for greenwashing when buying bamboo toilet paper. Sometimes brands will claim to be sustainable, but they don’t responsibly source, they use chemical-intensive processing, or they package their Toilet Paper in plastic and other non-recyclable material. This is why it’s super important that brands be super transparent about how their bamboo toilet paper is made.
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Safe?
Yes! In fact, bamboo toilet paper is actually safer than conventional toilet paper. It’s naturally hypoallergenic, super soft, chemical- and toxin- free, septic safe, and totally biodegradable.
Can Bamboo Toilet Paper Cause Irritation?
No way! When compared to traditional toilet paper, bamboo is way easier on the skin. Those naturally soft and smooth fibers make bamboo toilet paper gentle on sensitive skin. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and free of toxins, reducing the risk of any kind of irritation!
Does Bamboo Toilet Paper Have PFAs?
PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are harmful, synthetic chemicals often called “forever chemicals.” They’re called this, because they don’t break down in the environment or the body. They obviously have no business being in toilet paper!
All great quality, reputable bamboo toilet brands are PFAs-free, including the TSC Toilet Paper. Some lower quality bamboo toilet paper brands may not be PFA-free because of bad production habits or contamination.
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Bleached?
Many toilet paper brands (both conventional and sustainable) use bleach to give toilet paper its signature white, clean look. But, who wants to be exposing their intimate areas to bleach over and over again. All toilet paper should be elemental chlorine-free-which is why our Toilet Paper contains absolutely no bleach.
Where To Buy Bamboo Toilet Paper
You can buy the best quality bamboo toilet paper from The Skinny Confidential Shop. It’s 100% sustainable bamboo, free of all harmful chemicals, and environmentally-friendly. They’re absorbent 3-ply rolls that absorb way better than the competition and provide the most gentle, and luxurious toilet paper experience possible. Grab your first 12 mega rolls or enroll in our subscription to get your monthly supply of Toilet Paper shipped right to your door.
Bamboo toilet paper is a better choice for you, your health, and the planet!
Bamboo toilet paper isn’t just a trend-it’s a smarter, safer swap for one of the most-used products in your home. So, if you’re looking to make your family healthier without sacrificing comfort or performance, this is the switch that makes sense. Start where it counts-your daily routine-and feel good knowing you’re choosing a product that’s good for you and the environment.
You can find all our sustainable lifestyle and beauty products at The Skinny Confidential Shop. If you’re super motivated to make another switch right now, add our Non-Toxic Candle to your Toilet Paper order. Then, jump into Lauryn’s non-toxic product guide for more ways to make your home safer for your family.
