Non Toxic Diapers, Ultimate Comparison

We compared over 16 of the most popular marketed "clean" disposable diaper brands on chlorine, PFAS, certifications, fragrance, dyes and materials in search of the best non toxic diapers. We'll also talk about wipes! Here's what we discovered.

In a hurry? Scroll down to the table at the end.

What's the big deal with diapers?

Disposable diapers are a huge burden to the environment mostly due to their use of Sodium Polyacrylates and synthetic fibers. The EPA estimates that the average disposable diaper can take around 500 years to degrade. 

Even more concerning, in recent years several media and non profits have called attention to the presence of pesticides, dioxins, furans, PAHs and volatile organic compounds in popular diaper brands. One agency, ANSES (a French agency for food, environmental, and occupational health and safety), performed a chemical risk analysis in this 2019 study. Here were their findings:

• The report confirmed the presence of various potentially harmful chemicals in disposable diapers, including dioxins, furans, formaldehyde, and certain fragrances.
• They concluded contaminants likely entered the diapers through manufacturing processes, materials used, or the addition of fragrances.
• The study does not discuss *actual harm* from these chemicals (that would require a different study). However, we know prolonged exposure to these chemicals do cause harm to humans. In addition a diaper creates an occlusive (sealed) environment. Occlusive materials trap moisture and heat against the skin, which can increase skin permeability and make it easier for chemicals to penetrate through the skin layers. A baby's skin is more permeable than an adult's (source).

Brand names were not shared, but the report states that the tests were conducted with the best-selling commercial products on the French market, as well as with retailers' own brands and "eco-friendly" diapers.

ANSES called for stricter regulation surrounding allowable limits and manufacturing processes, as well as transparent labeling for consumers.

How to shop for non toxic diapers

Cloth diapering is the only true "toxin-free" option, however, we know over 90% of families choose disposable diapers. And while we cannot find diapers that don't contain polyacrylates and other pollutants, we CAN find non toxic diapers that choose better materials, particularly the ones that touch baby's skin.

If you do want to try cloth diapering, this is a great resource to learn more about how to choose what works for you: Green Mountain Diapers.

Now on to the disposable diapers…

Chemicals to avoid in diapers

❌ Chlorine - releases dioxins (group 1 carcinogen and reproductive toxin); look for Total Chlorine Free (TCF), or at least Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF).

❌ Fragrance - can contain phthalates, hormone disruptors.

❌ Formaldehyde - some diaper glues have been found to contain formaldehyde.

❌ PFAS - endocrine disruptors, carcinogenic potential, developmental delays.

❌ Dyes and Inks - can contain heavy metals.

❌ Pesticides - non-organic cotton options can contain pesticide or herbicide residue.

❌ SAP - polyacrylates that give diapers their absorbency. Almost all diapers have this, even the non toxic diapers. It is a huge burden to the environment and petroleum-derived.

What to look for in disposable diapers

• ✔️ TCF (better than ECF)
• ✔️ PFAS-free (requires testing)
• ✔️ Formaldehyde-free
• ✔️ Certifications like FSC, Organic GOTS and/or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• ✔️ Fragrance-Free
• ✔️ Dye-free or uses plant-based or food-safe dyes

Let's dive in a little deeper on some of these:

TCF vs ECF non toxic diapers

Chlorine in diapers is concerning because it can release harmful byproducts called dioxins, which are toxic, persist in the environment, and have been linked to health issues like cancer, reproductive harm, and immune system damage. Choosing chlorine-free diapers helps reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals. There are currently two classifications.

ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) bleaching uses chlorine dioxide to whiten diaper materials, reducing but not completely eliminating dioxin byproducts. It does, however, consume less energy. TCF (Totally Chlorine-Free) bleaching uses no chlorine compounds at all, relying instead on oxygen-based processes, which are considered safer and more eco-friendly as they avoid dioxin contamination entirely.

Certifications commonly seen in non toxic diapers

It's important to understand what different certifications mean to determine if it's important to you. Certifications cost brands money. So just because the brand doesn't have the certification doesn't mean that it doesn't have these attributes, it simply means it hasn't been third-party verified.

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification - ensures that products made from wood, paper, or other forest-based materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Learn more here. 
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Organic Certification - the leading worldwide standard for organic textiles, covering the entire textile supply chain, from harvesting raw fibers to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing. GOTS-certified means it contains at least 70% organic fibers. GOTS Organic must contain at least 95%. Learn more here. 
• OEKO-TEX Certification - ensures that textile products are tested for harmful substances and meet strict safety criteria, making them safer for consumers, especially those with sensitive skin. There are many different types of OEKO-TEX certifications. To learn more, visit here.
• CPC (Children's Product Certified) - not a super impressive certification. Simply means they comply with United States safety regulations surrounding children's products. Learn more here.
• SGS - another not that impressive certification which helps brands test to compliance. Learn more here.
• Nordic Swan Ecolabel - used by Nordic countries. Identifies products that meet strict environmental and health standards throughout their lifecycle. Learn more here.
• EWG-verified - EWG's standards for diapers is not specifically disclosed. However, you can learn more here. 
• ECOCERT - materials used must be mostly obtained from traceable, natural origin, and avoid the most common synthetic ingredients. ECOCERT-certified products must also use environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, from ingredient sourcing to packaging. Learn more here.

Non Toxic Diapers, Side by Side Comparison

Of the brands listed in the chart below, all of them are fragrance-free. We do not know if they contain formaldehyde or heavy metals without proper testing, but some of them make claims or say nothing at all.

The chart shows whether the diaper is TCF or ECF, whether it has been tested for PFAS and its results with a 10ppm threshold (source)*, any certifications, available information on dyes used, and general pricing. We used the cost of the newborn diaper size as a reference, but check all diapers sizes as brands vary how they increase the price per size. A $ means the per diaper cost landed under 40 cents for the newborn size. $$ is 41 - 60 cents. $$$ is over 60 cents per newborn diaper.

In a separate table below, we listed the materials of the diaper.

*A side note on the PFAS results: the person who conducted the tests does not share the results publicly, which bothers me. My thought process is if you're going to go through the trouble of sending these things to a lab, make your research credible by providing a copy of the lab report. They deem it proprietary, but what is proprietary about it? Put a watermark and black out personal info! Anyway, take it with a grain of salt, but it's the only third-party testing I've seen done so I include it here as a piece of information. 

Non-Toxic Diaper Materials

Another consideration are the materials used to construct the diaper. For obvious environmental and human health reasons, we prefer diapers which are mostly made of natural fibers. You will not find a disposable diaper made of only naturals fibers. But you can look for disposable diapers that make the best possible material choices.

Below is a summary of the brands that responded to our materials question and their response. Some were more specific than others.

How To Choose The Best Diaper For You

Another factor to consider when choosing a diaper is performance. This is highly subjective, so here's our pro tip: If you are currently expecting, place a TON of different diaper brands (that you feel comfortable with from this information) on your baby registry and try them all. That way, when you are ready to purchase them yourself, you will have a good idea of what works well for your family and baby.

Personally for me, I prefer a TCF diaper, and one that at least uses more natural fibers on the top sheet. 

Our Favorite Wipes

When it comes to wipes, there are two factors I pay attention to: what’s in the liquid and what the wipe is made of. On the formula side, a lot of mainstream wipes sneak in things like fragrance, harsh preservatives, or mystery “cleansers” that can irritate baby skin (especially in the diaper area).

On the material side, many wipes are basically plastic cloths (polyester/polypropylene blends), and even “bamboo wipes” are often viscose/rayon—which usually means the bamboo was heavily and chemically processed. That’s very different from bamboo linen (mechanically processed) or FSC-certified bamboo fiber.

If you’re trying to keep wipes as toxin-free as possible, the cleanest path is to separate the solution from the cloth. The best options I’ve found are:

• The Noleo System: I was so happy to discover this system. It is essentially a liquidy lotion that can act both as a liquid to moisten a wipe and a barrier cream. This means you're only using one product! Ingredients are safe, and you can pair it with their organic disposable cotton cloths for a completely plastic-free option!
• Taylor’s Naturals Juice Wipes Concentrate: This is a castile-soap based concentrate. Dilute the concentrate in a spray or squeezy bottle and moisten your reusable cotton cloths or disposable cotton cloths to create your wipe. The concentrate will last you ages! Bargain buy.

Check out our other baby and kids essentials at your favorite clean living marketplace, Ivy & Fields!