Our favorite has to be Humankind’s zero waste mouthwash. This mouthwash is both 100% natural, sustainable, convenient, and available as a plastic free refill.
I like the comparison that can be drawn for Zero Waste Mouthwash, freshen your breath and the planet at the same time. In this article we are going to look at some of the best on the market and evaluate them, comparing such factors as packaging, form (tablet or liquid), flavor, and sustainability.
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Top 5 Zero Waste Mouthwash Products
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On the same subject:
Is Mouthwash Bad for the environment?
Looking at standard, off-the-shelf mouthwashes and from an environment-friendly point of view, the answer must be yes. Even without considering the impact of single-use plastics the actual contents of the mouthwash itself have been shown to have harmful impacts on the environment.
For that reason we made an effort to create a list of mouthwashes that are not only zero-waste but also made of Eco-friendly ingredients.
3. Georganics – Zero Waste Mouthwash Tablets
This natural zero waste breath freshener and mouthwash is available as a soluble tablet.
- Packaged in a glass bottle with aluminum cap.
- Made from entirely natural and non-toxic ingredients.
- Flavored with organic spearmint oil.
- Refills supplied in compostable packaging
- Dissolve one tablet in 10ml of water to use
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Georganics Mouthwash Tablets are made from non-toxic and natural ingredients and are another portable-friendly choice. Whilst portability is always a plus, personally, I think this product lacks in the cleverness of its packaging as compared to the Humankind product. That being said, this is a minor point and really only pertinent to those who seek a real travel-friendly product.
Whilst it can’t claim to be a completely package-free mouthwash (what truly can) Georganics have gone to great lengths to ensure its packaging is truly sustainable. Packaged in 100% Kraft cartons there is no plastic or bubble wrap anywhere to be seen, even the ink is vegetable-based. As a brand, Georganics is taking extreme majors to ensure their products are suitable for any zero waste bathroom.
Georganics Mouthwash tablets are also available as a subscription service, as are the other products in their range, including a range of zero waste deodorants.
Reviews
The reviews are positive, one main discussion point was the flavor. Whilst some users liked the subtleness of the flavor and rated it as a plus, for others this subtlety of flavor was a slight disappointment.
List Of Zero Waste Mouthwashes
We gathered a list of zero waste breath fresheners and mouthwashes, which when used in conjunction with plastic-free toothpaste will help make your bathroom an environmentally friendly one.
1. Humankind – Environment Friendly Mouthwash
Available as a refill tablet subscription service, these tablets are fantastic for frequent travelers
- Glass cup with the tablets held in the silicon cap, make this an extremely portable zero waste mouthwash.
- Refill tablets are supplied in fully compostable packaging.
- Alcohol free mouthwash
- Uses tartaric acid, derived from grapes as active ingredient.
- Container available in a choice of colors.
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These mouthwash tablets by Humankind make it easy to switch to a plastic free mouthwash. Using only natural ingredients for the tablet and a durable, refillable container for easy storage, the people at Humankind have produced a zero waste mouthwash that is both environmentally sustainable and convenient.
I like the flavor choice in this range, mint-lemon, peppermint, and ginger. The fact that you can order a variety pack and help choose your favorite is also a plus.
Simply remove the cap and fill the glass to the 20ml line with warm water and pop a tablet in.
Reviews
For some people, the fact that it is available as a subscription will be useful, but for those who like to have the choice of when to repurchase, they can also be ordered as a one-off purchase.
2. Quip Mouthwash Starter Kit
Most people hide their unsightly mouthwash bottles under the sink. You’ll want to do the opposite with your Quip reusable container that is as decorative as it is eco-friendly. Its sleek design is functional, long-lasting, and easy to use.
Quip’s highly-concentrated mouthwash formula kills bad germs and leaves your breath smelling fresh.
There is no alcohol, artificial colors, dyes, or other chemicals in this product. Its refill bottles are 100% recyclable, and subscribers have free lifetime shipping as a perk!
Reviews
There are no specific reviews for this product, but the company has high ratings from customers and dental professionals alike.
4. Georganics – Oil Pulling Plastic Free Mouthwash
This alcohol-free mouthwash by Georganics is made from 100% natural ingredients and is manufactured in the UK. Available in 100ml (airport friendly) and 275ml sizes in 100% recyclable aluminum bottles. Although not as portable as the tablet forms, the fact that they are smaller travel-friendly bottles negates this drawback somewhat.
This zero-waste mouthwash by Georganics is fluoride-free and is vegan and cruelty-free.
What are the reviews saying?
The reviews are very positive, most people enjoyed the flavor and how fresh their mouths felt after usage. One point that was brought up as a negative in a few of the reviews was the length of the recommended usage time, which they felt was quite long at 5 up to 20 minutes, but even these reviewers still enjoyed using this zero waste mouthwash.
5. Lucky Teeth – Organic Zero Waste Mouthwash
Manufactured in the USA Lucky Teeth Organic mouthwash is flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and mint. This product is high in essential oils, with each chosen for its own unique benefits to your oral health.
It comes packaged in a glass bottle with an aluminum lid and a cup made from bamboo, a very sustainable approach to packaging that carries on into the product itself.
Using organic ingredients that are obtained from sustainable sources and with properties that include being able to actually reduce tooth decay, this zero waste mouthwash ticks all the boxes for being classified as an eco-friendly mouthwash that can exceed the claims of standard mouthwash products.
Reviews
Although the reviews are mostly positive, and most people are enjoying the product. It must be said that amongst them there are a few reviews complaining, mostly about the flavor, with one reviewer likening it to weak minty water and one or two had problems with the bamboo cup.
On the whole, people enjoyed it with a lot of positive comments about it being effective against bad breath and helping with sore gums.
6. Dr. H. & Co. – Dentist Formulated Refresh Zero Waste Mouthwash
Manufactured in Oakland, California, Dr. H. & Co. Dentist Formulated Mouthwash is created in small batches using a blend of herbs, paired with modern science.
- Natural Herbal formula that helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums
- Handmade in small batches
- Gluten free and suitable for vegans
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Contains Aloe Vera
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This environment-friendly mouthwash by Dr. H. & Co. has an interesting blend of natural ingredients that include: – Aloe Vera gel, Licorice root, fresh Holy Basil aerial parts, Calendula flower, White Oak bark, and essential oils of Peppermint, Cinnamon, and tea-tree.
This is a mouthwash that contains alcohol though, so if you wish to avoid this, then this one isn’t for you. It is also worth pointing out that although it has reduced a lot of the plastic by packaging in a glass bottle, the cap of the bottle is made of plastic.
The product is formulated and clinically proven to neutralize bacteria and obliterate bad breath.
Reviews
While most reviews are singing its praises, there has been the odd negative comment about the flavor and one reviewer had an issue with mold growing within the bottle. It is worth noting that this seems to have been a one-off incident.
Overall, the reviews were positive.
7. Elementa Silver – Nano Silver Xylitol Mouthwash with Calcium
A host of claims, almost as long as the product name, accompany this mouthwash by Elementa Silver. I have personal experience of how effective silver can be as an anti-bacterial product, I have an understanding of the science, so while I can’t validate the product’s claims as such, I can confirm they are science-backed.
The flavors available are the usual mint-flavored, but I feel it’s worth mentioning that among the flavors there is a honey-flavored mouthwash.
Another claim the product makes is its ability to target ‘bad bacteria’ only, whilst leaving the good bacteria to do whatever good bacteria do. This is achieved by putting ‘selective pressure’ on the sulfur-producing, bad-breath bacteria.
The product is packaged in an aluminum bottle and cap, which are recyclable although I haven’t got any information as far as labeling goes.
I do think they could make the name a bit snappier, I wouldn’t like to walk into a pharmacy and ask for a bottle of ‘Elementa silver xylitol mouthwash with calcium please.’
Reviews
Although mostly good, with most reviewers reporting a positive experience with lots of the expected benefits being mentioned, fresh-breath, great taste etc. Among the negative reports were damaged and leaking bottles, sweet and sickly flavor,(even the mint in one instance) and some users reporting brown flakes in their mouthwash.
8. Dr Arenander’s – 100% Pure and Healthy Natural Mouthwash
Described as zesty and full flavored, Dr Arender’s 100% pure and healthy mouthwash is part of a family of products claiming anti-aging properties. Whilst I would reserve judgement on that side of the product, it does claim a host of other benefits that are usually more closely associated with mouthwash products.
Manufactured in the USA the company is proud to obtain all their ingredients from organic and non-GMO sources. One of the few I have seen where there is no water in the ingredients, instead the main ‘filler’ ingredient is aloe vera juice!
The product is packaged in glass bottles manufactured using lead-free glass, but is let down slightly using a plastic cap.
Reviews
Mostly positive reviews with some reviewers noting an immediate reduction in gum pain and inflammation, and others saying it has helped get rid of long-standing problems that other products had failed to help. The major gripes seem to be that it was just an overpriced mouthwash, that didn’t deliver on its promises.
9. Black Oil – Plastic Free Mouth Wash
Black Oil Mouthwash is the only one in this list that claims to remove cannabis stains from teeth! I will refrain from commenting on that further. However, amongst its more serious claims are that its blend of coconut oil and activated charcoal make it a more efficient product when using the ‘oil-pulling’ method. They claim this improves the product’s ability to whiten teeth and freshen breath.
Manufactured in New York’s Hudson valley, it is a zero waste mouthwash that is produced in small batches and is packaged in a natty black bottle, that is quite unique in the field and I rather like.
The product is also black in color, but according to the company this will not discolor teeth (which you would hope for) and any flecks left behind are of harmless natural activated charcoal flakes and can be flushed from the mouth. It does add that they can discolor fabrics!
Reviews
All incredibly positive it has to be said, the packaging seems to be as big a hit as the actual product, although one reviewer did mention it was tricky to remove the cap on the first opening. Apart from that, the reviews are positive, and people just seem to love it. Also mentioned as a plus was the black washcloth and cups that come with it.
10. Bite – Fresh Mint Eco-Friendly Mouthwash
The first mouthwash made with Nano-Hydroxyapatite
- Tablet form that can be bitten and then dissolved by taking a sip of water
- Available as a subscription
- Very portable, with its tiny travel tin carrying the equivalent of 5 bottles of travel mouthwash
- Helps restore enamel and whiten teeth
- Contains no artificial flavorings
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I like the concept of just popping a pill in your mouth before adding water, simply pop the tablet in your mouth, bite it and take a drink of water. Very handy when you feel like a quick mouth freshen, even in public places you can just nip to the nearest toilet. Another selling point is its use of the mineral called Nano-Hydroxyapatite, a non-toxic fluoride alternative said to help strengthen teeth.
Bite Fresh Mint Mouthwash comes in a refillable glass jar with the refills supplied in compostable packaging. The ingredients are sustainably sourced and vegan friendly.
There is a good variety of flavors on offer, including a tasty sounding berry twist, unusual among zero waste mouthwash products.
Reviews
It is hard to pick a fault out among a plethora of positive reviews, one or two people have said the flavor could have been a bit stronger, but these were rare mentions within otherwise glowing reviews. People seemed to like the compactness of the system with a lot mentioning the travel tin in particular as a pro.
Which Mouthwash to Choose?
There is a lot of personal preference when choosing a zero waste mouthwash, but we can at least try and point you in the right direction.
For instance, if you travel a lot then one of the tablet options would be a better choice. The Bite Fresh Mint Mouthwash and the Humankind Mouthwash have both offered their own solutions for the traveler and both work equally well, also in the running would be the Georganics Mouthwash tablets.
For those of you who want to try some oil-pulling and have a little more time on your hands then the Georganics Oil Pulling Mouthwash and the Black Oil Mouthwash would certainly be worth trying.
As far as making eco-friendly choices, they all have definite pluses, but the Georganics, Humankind, Black oil and Bite products seem to have gone the extra mile, with well thought out packaging.
For buyers who like things done in small batches and manufactured in the US, then it would be worth looking at Dr. H. and Co. Dentist Formulated Mouthwash or Dr. Arenander’s Healthy Teeth and Gum Mouthwash.
If teeth whitening is your thing then it is worth having a look at Lucky Teeth’s Organic Mouthwash. If science is your bent, then you should definitely consider Elementa Silver’s Dentist Formula Mouthwash.
They are all good zero waste mouthwash products and using any of them is another small step towards a more sustainable future. It might not seem like much but just imagine how much plastic waste you avoid simply by changing to a plastic free mouthwash, particularly if you also changed to replaceable head toothbrushes, a zero waste electric toothbrush or a plastic-free floss at the same time. Straight away you are cutting a huge amount of single use plastics from your lifestyle.
What is a natural mouthwash?
Natural mouthwash is just as it sounds, a mouthwash without any artificial additives such as flavorings, chemicals, preservatives etc. A natural mouthwash can be formulated from many ingredients, the more common are essential oils distilled from the bark, flowers and stems of various flora that usually have been known for their medicinal benefits for millennia. Three of the more common ones are cinnamon, peppermint and lavender.
Materials found in unnatural mouthwash: – Poloxamer 407, Methyl Salicylate, formaldehyde, sodium laurel sulfate, polysorbate, cetylpyridinium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride. All these ingredients have been proven to have harmful effects in an aquatic environment.
What is a good substitute for mouthwash?
Many people swear by simply rinsing with a cup of warm salty water. Of course its perfectly possible to maintain good oral health without a mouthwash, frequent brushing either using a normal toothbrush or an Eco friendly electric toothbrush when combined with regular use of eco friendly floss, can often be enough. But really there is no need to ever go without mouthwash, if none of the above looked suitable why not just make your own?
Can I make my own Mouthwash?
Yes, and quite simply too, and it’s a whole bunch of fun into the bargain, you can play with flavors and you get to mess about with essential oils too! There are numerous recipes available online, a quick google search will get you started. Personally, I had a go at some of these recipes. And they all worked well.
My favorite zero waste mouthwash
There is such a wide variety of eco-friendly mouthwash products on the market now, that there is one to suit everyone and every budget. There is really no need for anyone to be using traditional mouthwashes that contain harsh and environmentally harmful chemicals. Not to mention all that single-use plastic.
My personal favorite is Humankind’s sustainable mouthwash. This mouthwash is 100% natural ingredients, plastic free, comes in a well-designed package, and available as a zero waste refill. Plus, you can choose your favorite flavor.
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