What You Wipe With Matters

By Marilee Nelson |

For most of us, toilet paper is as common in our daily lives as breathing. We can’t imagine life without it! With unlimited options in thickness, plushness, patterns, colors and even fragrance--conventional toilet paper is full of toxic chemicals that can be detrimental to our health.

According to Google, “Americans use about 50 lbs annually or 57 squares of toilet tissue every day.” And sadly, many brands of toilet paper contain harmful chemicals like chlorine dioxide, dioxin, BPA, and phthalates, colors, fragrances and inks. This matters because these toxic chemicals are coming in contact with our biggest organ (our skin!), in our most sensitive and vulnerable areas, multiple times per day.1

The Problem with most TP

Here’s the deal: toilet paper is made of, well, paper, and the commercial paper making process is a chemically intensive, not to mention environmentally unfriendly, process. The chlorines (to make TP white), fragrances (to make TP scented), formaldehyde (to provide wet-strength), inks (to make TP express your personality), and colors (to make TP color coordinated) are all chemicals that can cause ill health affects—especially when used regularly. 2 Exposure to chemicals in toilet paper can result in more vulnerability to acute issues such as UTIs, vulvar irritation, contact dermatitis, PMS, endometriosis, irregular periods, and chronic conditions – infertility, PCOS, sperm count/viability, cancer, etc. No reason to fear, there are plenty of options out there that keep your body and your bum safe from toxic chemicals.34

What To Look For Instead

No, you don’t have to go back to using corn cobs, leaves, or the Farmers Almanac like the colonists did. When shopping for toilet paper, you should ensure it is free of:
  • Chlorine
  • Dyes
  • Fragrances
  • BPA
Our favorite brand is WholeRoll which fits all of our criteria without any sacrifice. We also like the brands Naturolly and Cloud Paper (and use code BRANCH10 for 10% off your next purchase!). Although not as common to find in the US than other places around the globe, bidets are a fabulous option for your health and the environment. We love the more affordable options offered by Tushy, a modern bidet that you can easily install yourself at home! Tushy was kind enough to provide you a 10% discount. Click here or use "BranchBasics" at checkout.

End of the Roll

We believe that prioritizing human health is vital to creating healthier homes. By evaluating the products we bring into our living spaces, we can take back our health and become empowered consumers. So make the switch today, we know your tush will appreciate it!
Marilee Nelson

Marilee Nelson

Marilee Nelson is an Environmental Toxins expert who has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the chemically-sensitive and chronically-ill. She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Certified Bau-Biologist and Bau-Biology Inspector and specializes in Food As Medicine. She has helped thousands of families and individuals identify, heal and recover from toxic exposures and is on a mission to revolutionize the way American families view their health.