11 Zero Waste Mouthwash Alternatives For Sustainable Gargling
Why polish off your daily oral care routine with zero waste mouthwash?
Because more than 500 million plastic mouthwash bottles are swirled, swished, and spit into landfills every.single.year.
Not even gingivitis is worth that.
Helping you sustainably spit are the best plastic free mouthwashes on this list.
Take Georganics, who offers a waste free way to rid your mouth of bacteria with the traditional Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling (as well as dissolvable quick rinse zero waste mouthwash tablets).
Instead of alcohol mouthwash, treat your teeth to by Humankind’s Mint-Lemon sustainable mouthwash tablets.
Bite has a zero waste mouthwash with fluoride. Kind of. It uses nano-hydroxyapatite (a non-toxic fluoride alternative) to remineralize enamel.
For a fresh mouth now, head to the end of the article to see how we gargle in a greener way.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS FOR PLASTIC FREE MOUTHWASH
1. BY HUMANKIND
*Note: by Humankind uses RSPO and Fair Trade certified palm oil in other products and their silk floss is not vegan.
by Humankind’s Sustainable Mouthwash Subscription
by Humankind’s mouthwash tablets are zero waste, vegan, ethically made, and free of alcohol, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic dyes and flavors.
Powered by tartaric acid (derived from grapes), they balance your mouth’s pH while freshening breath with Mint-Lemon, Ginger, and Peppermint flavors.
They can be dropped into warm water in one of the brand’s durable glass measuring cups (optional).
The subscription-based mouthwash is sent in a compostable pouch, each refill eliminating 2.91oz of plastic waste.
About by Humankind
by Humankind is dedicated to personal care products that are better for our bodies and planet.
Each product is designed to reduce the single-use plastic footprint by 90% or more via refillable plastic containers and refills sent in compostable packaging.
The ingredients they work with are kind: easy to understand, scientifically proven, safe for daily routines, and, in most cases, natural and plant-based.
They work with ethical manufacturing partners in China and the US and UK.
The brand is carbon neutral by supporting forest preservation projects in Brazil and New Jersey. Customers may also offset their monthly plastic footprint by supporting Plastic Bank.
Available: by Humankind
2. GEORGANICS
Georganics’ Zero Waste Mouthwash
Georganics offers multiple mouthwash options.
Their zero waste mouthwash tablets are a pearly whites’ best travel companion, and come in English Peppermint, Spearmint, Active Charcoal, Orange, and Tea Tree varieties.
They’re free from synthetic colors, fluoride, SLS, glycerin, and water (you add that!).
This lowers their transportation emissions and makes them ideal for those times you’re away from home.
Available in the same flavors is a zero waste liquid mouthwash for oil pulling.
Based on traditional Ayurvedic practices, they contain organic coconut oil that can be swished around the mouth to pull out debris and bacteria.
If you’ve never oil pulled before, check out their guide. It’s not like regular mouthwash with a quick 30-second swish. You’ll actually be swishing for 5-20 minutes.
The glass or aluminum bottles are recyclable and the outer cardboard box is compostable.
About Georganics
Between zero waste dental floss and cruelty free toothpaste, we’d be so bold as to bet (er, bite?) that UK-based Georganics is one of the greenest oral care companies around.
Their products are certified vegan (aside from peace silk floss), cruelty free, and COSMOS organic.
Most ingredients are sourced and manufactured locally in England
Georganics is a member of 1% for the Planet, too.
Available: Georganics | Zero Waste Store | Ethical Superstore (UK)
Georganics featured in our article on sustainable electric toothbrushes
3. BLUE HAVEN HOLISTICS
*Note: Aside from honey used in select (non-mouthwash) products, Blue Haven Holistics is vegan.
Blue Haven Holistics’ Plastic Free Mouthwash
Blue Haven Holistics mouthwash is sustainable and also inspired by traditional Ayurvedic practices.
The oil pulling mouthwash provides an oral detox and can help whiten teeth over time, especially if you’re choosing the activated charcoal variety.
The ingredients include organic coconut and sesame oils, organic neem, organic clove, and organic fennel seed, among others.
And combined their properties clean teeth, strengthen gums, reduce plaque, and freshen the mouth.
The mouthwash comes in reusable / recyclable 4oz or 8oz glass bottles.
About Blue Haven Holistics
Etsy shop Blue Haven Holistics helps you rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul with holistic luxury bath and body products.
Everything is handmade in small batches in Florida, using wild-harvested, organic, and biodynamic food-grade ingredients.
Honey is used in some products, but they are otherwise vegan.
For every purchase, 5% of profits are donated to local animal shelters and rescues. Any slightly flawed products are donated to local homeless shelters.
Available: Etsy
4. OLIVE & OAK ORGANICS
*Note: Aside from honey used in select products, Olive and Oak Organics is vegan. We are confirming policies directly with this brand.
Olive & Oak Organics’ Herbalist-Made Zero Waste Mouthwash
For the best eco friendly mouthwash that is as close to the standard variety we’re all used to, check out Olive & Oak Organics.
The liquid River Mint Mouthwash freshens breath while supporting gum and mouth health with a blend of essential oils such as oregano.
Their Organic Chai Pulling Oil includes, well…chai spices, myrrh, and chamomile—making that 20-minute swish a much more pleasant experience.
The mouthwash comes in 8 or 16oz cobalt blue glass jars that can be reused or recycled.
About Olive & Oak Organics
Olive & Oak Organics is a small-batch organic apothecary in Utah.
The couple behind the Etsy shop is Jaquelin and Adrien, a herbalist and artist.
Their passions for herbal folklore, plants, natural medicine, health, and sustainability find expression in their product range—from tinctures to elixirs and herbal balms to oils.
Many ingredients are wild-harvested or organic and all are free of fillers, dyes, and chemicals.
Local raw honey is used in some products.
Available: Etsy
5. ORGANIC ZERO WASTE SHOP
Organic Zero Waste Shop’s Mouthwash Zero Waste
If you’re looking for an alcohol-free way to freshen your breath, the Himalayan Salt Mouthwash from Organic Zero Waste Shop is worth a try.
Organic witch hazel and spearmint essential oil are the principal ingredients, and it goes without saying that you won’t find SLS, glycerin, fluoride and other chemicals.
There’s also a Spearmint Oil Pulling Mouth Rinse made with just organic coconut oil and spearmint essential oil.
It can be swished around for 5-20 minutes and won’t clog drains after (though we’d still recommend spitting the oil in the compost bin or trash).
Both come in a glass bottle with an aluminum lid, which are recyclable.
About Organic Zero Waste Shop
During the week, they’re university professors. On the weekend, permaculture farmers.
Between their day jobs and wild-schooling their kids on an urban farm, Eren and her partner run the Florida-based Organic Zero Waste Shop.
They sell a range of sustainable personal care products, including eco friendly mouthwash, laundry detergent, and cotton handkerchiefs.
Their products are made with organic, cruelty free, and vegan ingredients.
Available: Etsy
6. WILDLY NOURISHED LIFE
*Note: Wildly Nourished does not use palm oil outright but their mouthwash does contain palm-derived vegetable glycerin.
Wildly Nourished Life’s Sustainable Mouthwash
Wildly Nourished Life’s Healing Herbal Mouthwash draws on the centuries-old traditional healing properties of tincture of spilanthes, used to treat tooth decay, mouth ulcers, and gum diseases.
Because it offers many of the same benefits, it’s (almost) like zero waste fluoride mouthwash—but without the fluoride.
Other ingredients include calendula, goldenseal, myrrh, and peppermint oil.
The liquid comes in an apothecary glass bottle that can be reused or recycled.
About Wildly Nourished Life
Sami, the owner and creator of Wildly Nourished Botanicals, is a student of herbalism and Ayurveda.
Her tinctures and elixirs are made with organic, local, homegrown, or wildcrafted herbs.
Not a strictly vegan shop, some animal-based products (like ghee and tallow from grassfed sources) are available for purchase.
They also donate herbal medicines to local charities like the Philadelphia Birth Fund.
Available: Etsy
7. INNERSCENTS
*Note: We are confirming policies directly with this brand.
Innerscents’ Eco Friendly Mouthwash UK
Innerscents’ aromatherapy-inspired plastic free mouthwash is made with pure essential oils offering antibacterial properties to freshen breath and support gum health.
Fine brandy is used to preserve the formulation.
Their mouthwash is vegan and concentrated, and should be diluted before use.
You can also find it included in their Hangover Kit, which comes with a mix of essential oils to revive and refresh after a night on the town.
30 mL and 100 mL sizes are available for the mouthwash. Both come in blue/purple/amber glass bottles that can be reused or recycled.
About Innerscents
For 20+ years, Scotland-based Innerscents has been working with natural, carefully-formulated ethical oil blends and products.
With a goal to support the mind, body, and spirit, they use mostly-organic ingredients that are ethically sourced, cruelty free, and respect the earth.
Available: Etsy
8. THE DIRT
The Dirt’s Eco Friendly Mouthwash
Ingredients like sesame and coconut oil, sea buckthorn oil, natural menthol, and hexane-free stevia make up The Dirt’s version of oil pulling vegan sustainable mouthwash.
Thanks to the addition of essential oils, they’re available in several different flavors: Rose Clove, Super Mint, Fennel Anise, and Sweet Cinnamon.
The Ayurvedic tonics are 100% natural, dentist-recommended, naturally brightening, antibacterial, and designed to support tooth and gum health.
They come in reusable and recyclable glass bottles.
About The Dirt
They also craft zero waste toothpaste, making The Dirt one of Los Angeles’ lowest-waste oral care brands.
The company got its start when founder Shannon Drake realized many “green” personal care products were just greenwashing.
Hence their insistence in using only non-GMO ingredients that are mostly gluten and free of fluoride, toxic flavors, SLS, and xylitol.
Available: Amazon
9. LUCKY TEETH
Lucky Teeth’s Refillable Plastic Free Mouthwash
Targeting gum disease, inflammation, sensitivity, stains, and bacteria, is Lucky Teeth’s whitening zero waste mouthwash.
Its vegan formula consists of food-grade hydrogen peroxide and organic essential oils. It’s free of alcohol, sugar, palm oil, and glycerin.
The glass bottles are 16oz and come with a bamboo cup to measure the liquid and a hanging tag that can be used as a bookmark.
When that’s empty, a concentrated 3oz refill is available. Just add filtered/distilled water to turn it into a full bottle of mouthwash.
If you don’t want to reuse or recycle the glass bottles, their trade-in program allows you to send back ten of them for recycling and get a free product in return.
About Lucky Teeth
Family-owned Lucky Teeth only uses recognizable ingredients (read: no fillers, preservatives, binding agents, or unpronounceables) in their oral care products, which also include bamboo floss and remineralizing toothpaste.
Everything ships plastic-free and instead of using animals, Lucky Teeth tests on friends and family.
Available: Amazon
10. BITE
Bite’s Zero Waste Mouthwash Bits
Chomp down on one of Bite’s plastic free mouthwash bits for an icy, minty refresh.
They’re packed with nHAP (nano-hydroxyapatite), a non-toxic fluoride alternative that remineralizes enamel and strengthens teeth.
Supported by sodium bicarbonate and erythritol, the bits prevent bacteria and help balance pH levels.
Glass jars and pocket-friendly travel tins are available.
About Bite
Bite was one of the first to do chewable toothpaste tablets, and they’ve since expanded their range to other oral essentials, deodorant, and body balm.
Everything is plastic-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and made with clean ingredients.
Certified Palm Oil free by The Orangutan Alliance, they’re one of the few palm oil free toothpaste brands.
Most of their products (Mouthwash Bits included) are made in California.
They opt for infinitely-recyclable glass jars, recyclable boxes, and kraft envelopes padded with post-consumer recycled newspapers. Refills are sent in 100% home compostable pouches.
All products are mailed using existing postal routes, which may take longer but have a smaller carbon footprint than driving to the store to pick up a plastic tube of toothpaste.
They’re certified Carbon Neutral and in the process of becoming a Certified B Corp.
Available: Bite
11. NIX
Nix’s Refillable Sustainable Mouthwash
Mother Nature approved and dentist-recommended, Nix’s eco friendly mouthwash comes in the form of crystals that can be added to water, dissolved, and used like traditional mouthwash.
Natural, vegan, palm oil-free ingredients are used like peppermint oil, vitamin E, grapefruit seed extract, erythritol, and menthol.
The formulation freshens breath, controls bacteria, inhibits plaque, and prevents oral cancer.
The first order comes in a 9oz plastic bottle that’s meant to be reused. Alternatively, use your own container and be totally zero waste.
The refill crystals come in a reusable / recyclable glass jar with a compostable bamboo measuring spoon.
Because of the concentrated formulas, they help reduce carbon emissions by being able to ship lighter-weight packages.
About Nix
Nix wanted to nix chemicals in favor of quality, natural ingredients—and no single-use plastics—in their sustainable mouthwash.
It’s made in California and shipped in recyclable cardboard.
They also donate 10% of profits to organizations committed to tackling environmental issues and helping underprivileged children receive adequate dental care.
Available: A Drop in the Ocean
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST ZERO WASTE MOUTHWASH
We gargled with our ethical beauty criteria to spit out the most sustainable mouthwashes.
- Zero waste: We don’t want plaque, just like we don’t want plastic. Reusable, refillable, or compostable packaging is best for a brilliant smile and a healthy planet.
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free: Mouthwash should be tested on (willing) friends, not furry critters.
- Non-toxic: Harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and alcohol are a no-go in non-toxic gargling. For the most part, they’re the same ingredients to avoid in skin care.
- Palm oil free: Some of the big names in mouthwash (cough, cough, Listerine) use palm oil. While we ideally prefer to see no palm oil, we sometimes make exceptions for brands that use organic, sustainably harvested, or RSPO-certified palm oil.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ECO FRIENDLY MOUTHWASH
Let’s be honest.
Do you think about the impact of your mouthwash when spitting it down the sink?
We certainly didn’t (until very recently).
Yet mouthwash bottles are another single-use environmental faux pas, that break down into microplastics long after that minty flavor leaves your mouth.
As these zero waste mouthwash brands (along with zero waste toothbrush and toothpaste brands) prove, we don’t need plastic to have pearly whites.
Have a loved one with chronic coffee breath or halitosis? Gently let them know by sharing this article.
