Unwaxed Co. · Dental Floss
Dental Floss Unwaxed, 100 yd
Lower-concern choice; unwaxed nylon floss has no known PFAS treatment driver, but verify ingredients directly with brand.
Unwaxed dental floss typically contains no water-repellent or stain-resistant coatings that commonly harbor PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims and no public lab data is available.
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Nylon monofilament (unwaxed)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is nylon monofilament without wax coating. Nylon is a synthetic polymer that does not leach plasticizers, BPA, or bisphenols during normal oral use because it is not heated and contacts only saliva and tooth surfaces at neutral pH. Unwaxed construction eliminates any concern about wax additives (such as paraffin or microcrystalline wax) that might contain contaminants; the absence of wax also simplifies the ingredient profile and reduces potential sources of unlisted additives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Unwaxed Co. has not published public statements about PFAS avoidance, ingredient sourcing, or third-party testing specific to this product. No major safety recalls or controversies are on record for this brand in the dental floss category. Lack of transparency is not uncommon among small floss manufacturers; direct email inquiry to the brand about nylon source and any processing treatments (fluorine-based or otherwise) is the most reliable way to verify absence of intentional PFAS additives.
How it compares in its category
Unwaxed nylon floss is the simpler alternative to waxed varieties, which typically use paraffin, beeswax, or silicone-based coatings. Unwaxed formulations have a narrower ingredient window and fewer opportunities for incidental contamination, making them generally a lower-risk choice. Some users find unwaxed floss more prone to shredding between tight contacts; waxed alternatives slide more easily but introduce coating materials that require vendor transparency.
If you buy it
Store floss in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat to preserve nylon integrity over the 100-yard spool lifetime. Nylon monofilament does not degrade significantly from oral moisture or saliva, so shelf life is long unless the spool is left open in humid environments. If you experience shredding during use, this is normal wear, not a safety issue; upgrade to waxed floss only if ease of use matters more than ingredient simplicity. Discard and replace the spool every 6-12 months or when visible fraying appears.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Nylon degradation and microplastic shedding
Nylon monofilament can fray or shed microscopic fibers during vigorous use or in contact with sharp edges between teeth. Ingestion of these fibers during routine flossing is considered minimal risk by dental authorities, but the possibility of microplastic particles entering the oral cavity and digestive system is an emerging concern without quantified hazard data specific to dental floss.
Contaminant residues in nylon polymer
Commercial nylon monofilament is FDA-listed as a food-contact material and does not inherently contain lead, cadmium, or other regulated heavy metals. However, without third-party testing or brand certification, impurities in the nylon feedstock or manufacturing process are not ruled out; Unwaxed Co. does not disclose sourcing or testing data.
Wax or coating additives (inapplicable here)
This product is explicitly unwaxed, eliminating the hazard class associated with wax coatings, mineral oils, or silicone treatments that can be present in waxed varieties. No wax means no risk of unlisted wax contaminants or petroleum-derived additives.
Irritation or allergic response to nylon or processing residues
Nylon monofilament is not a common allergen, but individual sensitivity to nylon or residual processing chemicals (e.g., dyes, antimicrobial treatments) cannot be ruled out without ingredient disclosure. Oral contact is brief and low-dose; systemic risk is negligible for most users, but those with known synthetic polymer sensitivities should verify processing details with the brand.
Fluorine-based water repellents or processing aids in nylon
Some industrial nylon production uses fluorine-based dyes or processing aids that could introduce PFAS at trace levels, though this is not a standard or typical practice for dental floss nylon. The PFAS score of 75/100 for this product suggests lower concern, but the brand's silence on processing methods leaves a gap; direct inquiry is warranted if PFAS avoidance is a primary concern.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Dental Floss
Cocofloss
Refill Trio
Coconut fiber, based floss with plant-based coating
Lower-concern dental product; natural materials and transparent PFAS stance, but no independent verification.
⚠Risky category by default
Dental Lace
Refillable Silk Dental Floss
Silk floss with compostable refillable packaging
Lower concern; silk floss with credible PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Dental Lace
Plant Based/Vegan Floss Refillable Glass Container PFAS-Free (2 Spools/4-
Plant-based vegan floss (likely plant cellulose or silk fibers)
Lower-concern product with explicit PFAS-free claim; no third-party verification limits certainty.
⚠Risky category by default
More dental floss grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.