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Mouthwash is a key part of most people's daily oral care routine. However, most commercial brands use virgin plastic packaging. Some also use undesirable ingredients like alcohol, palm oil, or SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).
I avoid single-use plastic, and I certainly don't like chemical additives in my mouth! So I decided to research and test eco-friendly mouthwash brands.
I was looking for brands that use zero-waste packaging, minimal or no artificial ingredients, but that still deliver the effective oral care I need.
Not many brands tick all those boxes. But some do. Below are my picks of the very best sustainable and natural mouthwash options of 2026.
✔ Zero-Waste Glass Jar Mouthwash with Bamboo Cup
✔ Plastic-Free Packaging
✔ Cruelty-Free
Ingredients: Distilled Water, food-grade hydrogen peroxide, mentha piperita (organic peppermint) oil, salvia officinalis (organic sage) oil, origanum vulgare (organic oregano) oil, melaleuca alternifolia (organic tea tree) leaf oil
We Say: This might be a controversial entry on the list because of its use of peroxide to help whiten teeth.
The peroxide used is of food-grade quality, certified as natural, and not harmful to human health.
However, my issue is whether or not adding peroxide even helps whiten your teeth to the degree the manufacturer claims.
After an entire month of using this mouthwash, I noticed no significant difference in the color of my teeth...and I’m a keen red wine drinker!
This 2015 report appears to back up my experience.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to trawl through the report, it concludes that whitening mouthwash does change the color of your teeth, but needs many months of continued use to take full effect.
So, if you want whiter teeth and are happy using a food-grade peroxide over an extended period, then this mouthwash is a winner.
Peroxide concerns to one side, this is a high-quality mouthwash with solid eco-credentials.
I especially like the zero-waste glass bottle and the bamboo cup...perfect for sustainably measuring out the exact quantity needed.
✔ TSA & Travel Friendly
✔ Disolves Easily
✔ Plastic-Free Packaging
Ingredients: Xylitol, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Natural Mint Powder, Nano-Hydroxyapatite, Calcium Carbonate, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Menthol*, Silicon Dioxide, Caesalpinia Spinosa (Tara) Gum, Spirulina Platensis (Spirulina) Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil*, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil*, and Zinc Citrate. *Organic
We Say: HUPPY mouthwash tablets are what I take with me when traveling. They're water-free, take up very little room in my luggage, and I've never had issues with TSA at the airport.
Huppy says the nano-hydroxyapatite used in these tablets helps support enamel remineralization and reduce sensitivity. The xylitol gives the tablets a naturally sweet taste that my daughters preferred over traditional alcohol-based rinses. However, this does mean we need to be extra careful to keep these tablets out of Millie's (our Labradoodle) reach, as xylitol is highly toxic to dogs.
I like how simple to use Huppy Mouthwash Tablets are. I chew a tablet until it dissolves, take a sip of water, swirl it around my mouth, and then spit it out. Nice and straightforward, even when I'm still half asleep in the morning.
Ingredients: Coconut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, peppermint essential oil
We Say: I don’t oil pull often (maybe twice a month). To be honest, I find it a chore to swish oil around my mouth for up to 20 minutes. However, I do see the benefits when I do it.
GuruNanda Original Oil Pulling Oil is an effective and natural way to improve oral health.
The four natural ingredients were gentle on my mouth while still providing fresh breath. And, thanks to the peppermint oil, it tastes pretty good too!
You already know that oil pulling can help improve oral health, so why not try it?
With thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, you can trust that you’re getting quality ingredients and results. Give it a try and see the difference for yourself!
Finding the best eco-friendly mouthwash took time, research, and a lot of swishing and spitting. We started by researching dozens of natural and sustainable mouthwash brands. My wife and I personally ordered and tested every single product featured in this guide over several months.
Here's what we considered when evaluating each mouthwash.
We used each mouthwash as part of our regular oral care routine for at least two weeks (some for much longer). We paid attention to how our mouths felt throughout the day, whether our breath stayed fresh, and if there were any noticeable improvements to our gums or teeth.
We purchased every product on this list with our own money. We were not gifted any items, and no brand is permitted to pay for inclusion in our recommendations. Our reviews are honest, independent, and based solely on our testing experience and commitment to helping you find truly sustainable products.
Natural mouthwash contains no artificial additives, flavorings, chemicals, colorings, preservatives, etc.
There are many ingredients you should try to avoid when shopping for mouthwash, including:
Zero-waste mouthwash is simply natural mouthwash in reusable, zero-waste containers and shipped in plastic-free, recyclable, or compostable packaging.
We all need to do our bit to reduce plastic waste, so it’s awesome that there are now plenty of plastic-free mouthwash options available to buy.
However, work still needs to be done to eliminate more plastic bottles from the mass mouthwash market.
Many people don’t use mouthwash at all. Some feel that brushing alone works for them, others prefer to floss instead. If that works for you...fantastic!
My oral health, however, needs a gentle helping hand every now and again - so on the advice of my dentist, I do all three.
My father makes his own ‘salt wash’ mouthwash.
It’s an old family secret recipe handed down through generations.
Nah...only kidding… it’s just a half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Rinse for 10 seconds and spit out. Repeat if required.
I don’t like the taste. But dear old dad has done it for decades and swears by it.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly DIY mouthwash alternative that’s a little more sophisticated than salt in water, you’re in luck. The internet is awash with them!
I tested a few, and these are my two favorites, using natural ingredients.
I still use this from time to time. It fights bad breath and leaves a lovely natural minty flavor in my mouth.
What to take the mintiness to the next level? Try adding one drop of organic spearmint oil.
Mouthwash helps clean the parts of the teeth that the toothbrush sometimes can’t. Other reasons include:
Most people use mouthwash after brushing. So twice a day. However, always read the label of the mouthwash you’re using.
Also, my hygienist recently told me only to use mouthwash in the morning. She also recommended waiting 30 minutes after brushing to avoid washing away the fluoride, etc., of the toothpaste before it had a chance to work.
No. Mouthwash is meant to the swilled around the mouth and then spat out. If you accidentally swallow a small amount, you’ll be fine (maybe a tummy ache or diarrhoea).
However, according to Healthline, if you swallow a large amount of mouthwash, you should take further steps.
I was impressed with the Hello mouthwash I tested. It was full of non-toxic and natural ingredients.
However, it didn’t make the list due to the plastic bottle, which means it can't be fully classed as eco-friendly.
Most mainstream mouthwashes still come in plastic bottles, and plastic bottles are bad for the environment.
Your best bet for an environmentally friendly, natural mouthwash is zero-waste, plastic-free packaging.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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