Regular disposable diapers swap to Fragrance-free, chlorine-free diapers

France’s health-safety agency found fragrance allergens and dioxin-type contaminants above its health thresholds in some single-use diapers. It recommended dropping fragrance and bleaching without chlorine.

Regular disposable diapers, the old item this swap replaces

Our pick

Bambo Nature diapers, size 1 (4-9 lbs), 216 count

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See the cleanest upgrade

Written by Ken · Checked Oct 2026 · Sources below

Why make the swap

Why switch to fragrance-free, chlorine-free diapers
These diapers have no perfume, and their pulp is bleached totally chlorine-free (TCF), the two changes France’s health-safety agency recommended.
What's the concern with regular disposable diapers
In a 2019 assessment of single-use diapers, France’s health-safety agency ANSES found two fragrance allergens, and in one exposure scenario dioxin-type contaminants, above its health thresholds, though no harm to babies has been shown. Fragrance is added on purpose, and ANSES says chlorine-based bleaching, even without elemental chlorine, can form dioxins.
General information, not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician before changing what your baby or child uses.
Good to know before you buy
It’s still a disposable: the lining against the skin is polypropylene, and the backsheet, cuffs and absorbent gel are plastic too. Size 1 fits 4-9 lbs.
Bambo Nature diapers, size 1 (4-9 lbs), 216 count: Polypropylene lining against the skin; plastic backsheet, cuffs and absorbent gel. Pulp bleached totally chlorine-free; no perfume.
Sources (3)
Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.

Questions people ask

Are fragrance-free diapers better?

Fragrance-free diapers are what France’s health-safety agency recommended: in 2019, ANSES found two fragrance allergens above its health thresholds in some single-use diapers, though no harm to babies has been shown. Our pick has no perfume, and its pulp is bleached totally chlorine-free.

Picks we'd buy

Our pick
Bambo Nature diapers, size 1 (4-9 lbs), 216 count
Polypropylene lining against the skin; plastic backsheet, cuffs and absorbent gel. Pulp bleached totally chlorine-free; no perfume.
Buy it on Amazon: Bambo Nature diapers, size 1 (4-9 lbs), 216 count (opens in a new tab)

Cleanest upgrade

Unbleached cotton cloth diapers

Only cotton against your baby’s skin. You’ll need covers, a pail and a wash every couple of days. Most covers are polyester with a plastic waterproof layer outside the cotton; wool covers are the plastic-free option. Check your daycare accepts cloth.

Cleanest upgrade
OsoCozy unbleached cotton prefolds, size 1, 6-pack
Meets our bar (how we pick)
Buy it on Amazon: OsoCozy unbleached cotton prefolds, size 1, 6-pack (opens in a new tab)

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