One of the smallest, least obtrusive toiletries in your bathroom also happens to have one of the most negative impacts on the environment. Floss.

If you’re one of those truly responsible individuals that floss regularly — and even for those that get around to it right before your dentist appointment! — then it’s time to reinvent the type of floss you purchase.

Think about how you purchase your floss. The spool comes in a plastic container wrapped in even more unfriendly packaging. Think about how many you go through in a month or a year.

Next up, what about the floss? Floss is generally made out of “nylon … [a] non-biodegradable material” that is also designed not to tear. This means that it can take hundreds of years to degrade at the landfill and can be a huge problem for wildlife. On top of that, floss is a teeny tiny piece of trash, which means there’s a chance it never makes it into the garbage truck or it even escapes from the garbage truck on the way to the landfill.

Therefore, your floss has now become litter. Where does a large amount of plastic litter end up? The ocean. Where does plastic in the ocean wind up? Inside marine animals causing serious health issues, suffocation, and death.

Of course, we’ve gotta keep those good dental hygiene habits, so what’s the alternative Environmentally safe floss! As our society becomes more aware of these detrimental single-use products, so do we become more creative in designing high-quality products that aren’t detrimental. When it comes to floss, there’s a handful of eco-friendly and vegan options including bamboo, charcoal, and even corn starch!

1. The Humble Co. Dental Floss Threaders

The Humble Co. Dental Floss Threaders/Amazon.com

This The Humble Co. Dental Floss Threaders pack is the perfect refill to have onhand! Along with being vegan-friendly and environmentally conscious, this dental floss is also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It’s made out of nylon, which means you don’t have to sacrifice durability, and is coated with a mint, cinnamon, or lemon flavoring. Plus, The Humble Co. donates proceeds from every purchase towards funding oral health projects for children in need. On top of all that, this dental floss arrives in a 100 percent recyclable box! A 4-count box of 55-yard threaders costs $12.96.

Robyn Chan says “I was so sick of all the plastic waste I was getting when using floss. Especially the floss pics. This packaging was all paper. The smell of the charcoal was really pleasant. I’m currently finishing up my last roll-off regular floss and I’m looking forward to starting this. 5 stars for the low waste packaging. I’ll update once used.”

2. ME MOTHER EARTH VEGAN Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss Refill

ME MOTHER EARTH VEGAN Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss Refill/Amazon.com

Vegan, biodegradable, and cruelty-free, it doesn’t get cleaner or more earth-friendly than this floss! This ME MOTHER EARTH VEGAN Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss Refill is made from 100 percent biodegradable materials including bamboo charcoal fiber and natural candelilla wax and is packaged in a mix of both recyclable and biodegradable materials. To round out the perfect floss experience, this floss is coated with peppermint essential oil for that refreshing minty taste! Me Mother Earth is also proud to Donate ten percent of its profits to ocean and environmental Conservation programs. A 4-pack of 33-yard spools costs $16.99.

Edith A. says “Love this floss. I was looking for a natural floss – the silk one I tried worked OK but would break when I was about halfway through my mouth, causing me to use 2-3 times the floss I would typically use. This floss is great. Works well, and I have some tight contacts in my back molars. Doesn’t break or shred. Highly recommend.”

3. Isshah Store Natural Dental Floss Picks

Isshah Store Natural Dental Floss Picks/Amazon.com

If flossing is a major chore, consider going with a floss pick instead of a spool? All you have to do is take it out of the box and it’s ready to go to work on your gums! These Isshah Store Natural Dental Floss Picks are eco-friendly, made from corn-starch, vegan-friendly, and come in eco-friendly paper packaging as well! These specific picks are flavored with a refreshing, cool mint, which will leave your mouth feeling clean and they’re BPA-free. A 200-count box costs $14.99.

Teezboy says “Wow. I’ve been searching forever for a truly effective, practical floss pick. You can’t go wrong with this one. It’s very easy to use for both flossing and picking. The pick itself is sturdy, easily held, and long enough to reach back teeth. The floss is strong enough to get between even the closest teeth without breaking. The added plus is that not only are they inexpensive, they are also environmentally friendly.”

4. Skyhigh Dreams Activated Charcoal Bamboo Floss

Skyhigh Dreams Activated Charcoal Bamboo Floss/Amazon.com

This Skyhigh Dreams Activated Charcoal Bamboo Floss is a great option for anyone looking for a sleek dispenser to streamline your flossing experience! Along with being vegan-friendly, biodegradable, and earth-friendly, this floss is also free of all harsh chemicals including fluoride, PFAS, and Teflon. This all-natural floss is reusable, cruelty-free, compostable, and sustainable. Made from candelilla wax, this plant-based floss is topped off with a lovely minty flavor. A 3-spool packet costs $13.95.

RB says “Thought it would be a pricey buy BUT it comes with 3 spools and a cute dispenser. I used to work in the dental field so I don’t play when it comes to dental products. This was WELL worth the money! Barely used any of it for my whole mouth in comparison to any other floss. It’s stronger and cleaned everything so nicely especially with its texture. Highly recommended.”

5. Bambaw Store Vegan Dental Floss

Bambaw Store Vegan Dental Floss/Amazon.com

This Bambaw Store Vegan Dental Floss hits all the marks to make this list, plus more! It’s reusable, biodegradable, 100 percent plant-based, vegan-friendly, and eco-friendly. The spool comes in a super sleek, reusable, and long-lasting stainless steel travel case. The floss is made from corn starch, candelilla wax, and mint flavoring, which means it’s also compostable. Bambaw packages this vegan dental floss in a 100-percent plastic-free package! A 2-pack of 55-yard spools costs $7.49.

A Freeman says “Love the little container! Most are glass which I did not want so I was glad I found this product! The floss does sometimes break when I use it on my back molars which happens to me a lot! Great product will buy again! Definitely recommend!”

6. Bambo Earth Biodegradable Mint Dental Floss With Refillable & Reusable Glass Holder

Bambo Earth Biodegradable Mint Dental Floss With Refillable & Reusable Glass Holder/Amazon.com

This Bambo Earth Biodegradable Mint Dental Floss With Refillable & Reusable Glass Holder provides a high-quality, all-natural way to floss! This floss is 100 percent plant-based and made from organic candelilla wax and natural mint flavoring. While providing an ultra-clean, yet gentle flossing experience, Bambo Earth floss will also make you feel less guilty about tossing it in the garbage as it’s biodegradable, compostable, and earth-friendly. This floss arrives in plastic-free, zero-waste packaging and comes with a reusable glass holder for safekeeping. A single 30-meter strand costs $6.97.

Emily says “Very pleased with this product. I have a few teeth that are very close together so I’ve been using Glide, but I really wanted something that was at least a little better for the environment. This floss does tend to fray a little if I use it in my close together teeth after first using it on others, but not enough to really be bothersome.”

7. Happy Eco Natural Dental Floss Picks

Happy Eco Natural Dental Floss Picks/Amazon.com

These Happy Eco Natural Dental Floss Picks will do just that, make your teeth happy and healthy! These plant-based floss picks are made primarily from corn starch and are free of chemicals such as fluoride. Happy Eco is proud to offer a greener alternative with these sustainable floss picks, which also come packaged in 100-percent recyclable paper materials. While many environmentally-friendly floss alternatives don’t hold up quality-wise, these picks promise no shredding due to a xylitol coating. Plus, they’ve got a wonderful mint flavor! A 200-count package costs $15.92.

8. Odogwu Corn Starch Natural Dental Floss Picks

Odogwu Corn Starch Natural Dental Floss Picks/Amazon.com

Looking for another pick option? These Odogwu Corn Starch Natural Dental Floss Picks are a great alternative! Made from corn starch, this floss is durable, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly. Flavored with refreshing mint, these picks are double-threaded for the highest durability and come with a non-slip handle design. These picks arrive at your home in earth-friendly paper packaging as well! A 200-pick box costs $13.99.

Amazon Customer says “The best part about these toothpicks is that they are double-threaded and help you really get in between your teeth at different levels. They don’t shred as easily as other brands and if they would there’s another thread so you don’t have to throw it away. The tip of the floss pick is really sharp, so it really came in handy for the plaque and leftover food I had stuck between my teeth. I like the packaging you get 50 in each box so I put one in my car just to have some with me on the go. Also, the mint flavor isn’t bad at all. Overall it was a great buy!”

9. Hemli Home Bamboo Charcoal Floss

Hemli Home Bamboo Charcoal Floss/Amazon.com

Flossing with charcoal-based material may seem a little odd, but it’s an excellent healthy, natural cleanser! This Hemli Home Bamboo Charcoal Floss is made with activated bamboo charcoal fibers that are woven together for maximum durability to remove stubborn food waste and coated with candelilla wax. This eco-friendly option comes in a reusable glass container, negating the need for a single-use plastic container. A 3-pack of 99-yard spools costs $12.99.

shopaholic says “I have used the floss a few times since I received, and must say that I’m quite pleased! The floss is minty and doesn’t shred, which I typically have a problem with because of my tight teeth. All packaging (except for the Amazon shipping envelope) is recyclable! Paper packaging, glass container & wax paper envelopes containing the extra spools of floss which are even sewn closed with thread rather than tape. I may never use Cocofloss again!”

10. Coralov Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss

Coralov Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss/Amazon.com

Another great charcoal-based option! This Coralov Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss is made from 100 percent biodegradable charcoal, corn starch, candelilla wax, and peppermint essential oil. These plant-based picks are not only eco-friendly, but they’re also vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and easy to use. A 3-pack of 33-yard spools costs $9.99.

L2021 says “So far so good!!! I have been looking for a plant-based, plastic-free vegetable floss for a while. My teeth are extremely close together, normally I hate flossing. It’s painful, breaks shreds, or got stuck in my teeth in the past. This does not of that!! Thickness is perfect, the thread isn’t painful, and the “taste” is minimal. My teeth felt squeaky clean. I really do still hate flossing but, I enjoy having all of my natural teeth, opposed to dental bills.”

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• The 5 Easiest Ways to Achieve White Teeth … the Natural Way
• Skip The Teeth Whitening Products and Try These Natural Methods Instead

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