Paper Napkins & Paper Towels, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 7 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic paper napkins & paper towels, ranked safest first
Bad · Better · Best paper napkins & paper towels
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Scott
Scott Full-Fold Dispenser Napkins
Moderate caution. Common napkin category with typical grease-resist coatings. Brand silent.
Bounty
Bounty Quilted Napkins, 1-Ply, White, 100 Count
Lower concern. Single-ply napkins unlikely to need PFAS coatings.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Napkins 1-Ply
Lower-concern choice. Plain paper napkins rarely require PFAS treatment.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
Seventh Generation
100% Recycled Napkins 1-Ply
100% recycled paper (virgin fiber-free)
Ink and dye migration from recycled fiber
Limited concern
Lower-concern choice. Plain paper napkins rarely require PFAS treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Bounty
Quilted Napkins, 1-Ply, White, 100 Count
Virgin wood pulp, 1-ply, no waterproofing layer
Lower concern. Single-ply napkins unlikely to need PFAS coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Seventh Generation
100% Recycled Paper Napkins
100% recycled paper
Trace metals and contaminants from recycled feedstock
Limited concern
Microbial growth (mold, mildew) in storage
Limited concern
Lower-concern choice. Recycled paper napkins typically avoid PFAS treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Scott
MegaCartridge Napkins
virgin wood pulp, uncoated
Ink migration from printing (if printed)
Limited concern
Lower concern. Uncoated napkins have minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Scott
Full-Fold Dispenser Napkins 1-Ply
Virgin wood pulp, 1-ply paper
Bleach residues and chlorinated byproducts
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern. Unbleached or FSC options preferred if available.
⚠Risky category by default
Scott
Tall-Fold Dispenser Napkins 1-Ply 7 x
Virgin fiber tissue (cellulose)
Lower concern. Plain tissue napkins rarely require PFAS treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Scott
Mega Cartridge Napkins,PK875: 6 PK
virgin fiber paper napkin, uncoated
Chlorine residues (bleaching byproducts)
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth in storage
Limited concern
Lower-concern standard napkins.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Bounty
1-Ply Quilted Napkins
virgin wood pulp, quilted structure with water/grease resistance coating (type unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Coating migration to food and skin
Limited concern
Higher concern. Grease-resistant napkins often use PFAS without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bounty
Paper Napkins, 2-ply napkin - White, 200 Count
Wood pulp with grease-resistant coating (unspecified fluorochemistry)
PFAS
High concern
Coating degradation and particulate migration
Limited concern
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bounty
Quilted Napkins
Cellulose (wood pulp) with grease-resistant treatment
Grease-resistant coating composition (fluorinated or non-fluorinated unknown)
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Limited concern
Higher PFAS concern from grease-resistant coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bounty
Select-A-Size Triple Roll Paper Towels
cellulose pulp with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth if wet-stored
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS risk from grease-resistant treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bounty
Select-A-Size Paper Towels
Virgin wood pulp with grease-resistant treatment (composition unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Proprietary treatment composition unknown
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS concern from grease-resistance treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bounty
12.1 in. x 12 in White 1-Ply Napkins
Virgin wood pulp with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Thermal decomposition of coating at high heat
Limited concern
Skip if PFAS concerns matter.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bounty
Paper Napkins
wood pulp with water/oil-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Limited concern
Moderate concern. Grease-resistant napkins may use PFAS. Brand silent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Scott
Full-Fold Dispenser Napkins
virgin and recycled fiber with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Bleach residues (if chlorine-bleached fiber)
Limited concern
Moderate caution. Common napkin category with typical grease-resist coatings. Brand silent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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