75/ 100
C
OverallC71/100
Unwaxed Dental Floss

Unwaxed Co. · Dental Floss

Unwaxed Dental Floss

C · Moderate

Lower PFAS concern for unwaxed floss, but verify ingredient transparency from Unwaxed Co.

Verdict: BuyUnwaxed nylon/polyester floss poses minimal chemical hazard; lower PFAS risk than waxed alternatives, but brand transparency is limited.

Unwaxed dental floss typically uses nylon or polyester without intentional PFAS-based coatings, placing it in a lower-concern category. The "unwaxed" formulation removes one common vector for Teflon-family coating additives.

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Material

Unwaxed nylon or polyester fibers, no intentional Teflon-family coating

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.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Unwaxed Co. floss is made from nylon or polyester fibers without a Teflon-family coating (Teflon-type coating) or wax coating. The absence of wax eliminates concerns about intentional Teflon-family coating-based water repellents, which are a known PFAS delivery mechanism in coated dental floss. Nylon and polyester are stable, non-reactive polymers when used in the oral cavity at room temperature, so leaching of monomers or additives into saliva is minimal under normal flossing conditions. The primary risk in any synthetic dental floss lies in legacy manufacturing residues or slip agents rather than the base polymer itself.

The brand's record and disclosure

Unwaxed Co. maintains a silent public stance on PFAS and does not publish ingredient specifications or third-party testing results on its website or packaging. The brand has no established history of safety recalls, certifications (e.g., from NSF, FDA clearance statements), or transparency statements that would distinguish it from generic unwaxed floss. Without published supplier audits or material safety data sheets, consumers cannot independently verify whether manufacturing residues or slip agents contain legacy PFAS or other synthetic additives.

How it compares in its category

Unwaxed floss, as a category, carries lower PFAS risk than waxed varieties because it avoids the Teflon-family coating coatings that often contain PFAS for water resistance and cling. Most waxed flosses on the market (including brands like Oral-B and Crest) use Teflon-type coating or similar Teflon-family coating, making them higher-risk alternatives. Unwaxed options from transparency-focused brands (e.g., those with third-party testing or PFAS-free certifications) would rank higher than this product; Unwaxed Co. sits in the middle due to lack of disclosure.

If you buy it

Standard dental floss requires no special care. Use it daily as directed by your dentist, and replace the roll if fibers fray or if you notice deterioration. Do not heat unwaxed nylon floss or store it in direct sunlight for extended periods, as nylon degrades under UV exposure and heat. If you have concerns about PFAS, contact Unwaxed Co. directly to request ingredient transparency or third-party testing reports.

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.”

None known

Nylon/polyester monomer leaching

At room temperature in the oral cavity, nylon and polyester fibers used in dental floss do not readily leach monomers or oligomers into saliva. No recalls or reports of adverse effects from unwaxed nylon floss exist in public records.

Possible

Manufacturing residues (slip agents, colorants, antistatic compounds)

Unwaxed nylon floss may contain trace legacy additives such as titanium dioxide (colorant), silica or stearates (slip agents), or antimony-based catalysts from polyester production. Unwaxed Co. does not publish material sourcing or purification methods, so residue levels cannot be assessed.

None known

Teflon-type coating or hidden Teflon-family coating

Because this floss is marketed as unwaxed, intentional Teflon-family coating is unlikely. However, without third-party testing or ingredient certification from Unwaxed Co., the absence of Teflon-type coating cannot be independently verified.

None known

Oral irritation or allergic reaction from synthetic fibers

Nylon and polyester are inert in the oral cavity and do not commonly trigger sensitivity. No established adverse events from unwaxed nylon floss exist in dental safety literature.

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

Cocofloss

Refill Trio

Coconut fiber, based floss with plant-based coating

A
B
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS3 flags

Lower-concern dental product; natural materials and transparent PFAS stance, but no independent verification.

Risky category by default

Refillable Silk Dental Floss

Dental Lace

Refillable Silk Dental Floss

Silk floss with compostable refillable packaging

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS2 flags

Lower concern; silk floss with credible PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.

MADE SAFE certified

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Plant Based/Vegan Floss Refillable Glass Container PFAS-Free (2 Spools/4-

Dental Lace

Plant Based/Vegan Floss Refillable Glass Container PFAS-Free (2 Spools/4-

Plant-based vegan floss (likely plant cellulose or silk fibers)

A
B
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS3 flags

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.