I first stumbled upon the wellness industry well over a decade ago. My parents, having been searching for answers to my health issues, introduced me to a chiropractor who happened to be very knowledgeable and very passionate about minimizing our toxic load. This was a key to wellness that most other practitioners were missing at the time. Still, those were the early days, and we resorted to a few non-toxic swaps from pioneering brands who were ahead of their time, or we relied on DIY recipes that we found on Pinterest.
Now, however, non-toxic is trending. This not only means more people are taking their health in their hands; it means that there are many more options available to us as consumers. It’s now easier than ever to make simple non-toxic swaps that can make a big impact on our health, and even on our environment.
But where do we start? Many of these products are little more than green-washed marketing ploys from traditional companies who only branched out to increase their bottom line. How do we know where to start, and which products are worth the investment?
Well, you can learn to read labels. This is immensely helpful and will lead you to self-sustainability when it comes to knowing what to look for in your non-toxic swaps. Until the science changes again, because that happens every 5-10 years. Still, some basic foundations never change. If you’re not at the point of reading labels and knowing what to look out for, feel free to use this blog post as starting point.
Why a Healthy Home Matters
Our home is where we spend the most time. Not only the most time, but the most restorative time. Where we gather with family around the table; where we rest and recuperate. It’s where we build our lives with loved ones, and it makes the biggest impact on our personal health. Building a healthy home is not easy. It’s often full of hidden toxins, such as those in toxic cleaning supplies, building materials, and off-gassing furniture. However, with a little knowledge and intentional effort, you can take small steps over time that lead to big changes.
In The Kitchen: Clean Eating Starts with a Clean Environment
If you make a few non-toxic swaps in your home, start in your kitchen. The materials found in here make their way into your food, which is a direct pathway to your digestive tract and bloodstream where toxins can do a lot of damage. Just a few targeted changes can reduce your toxin load significantly over time. I recently tested high in phthalates on a toxin test, despite using almost no plastic in my kitchen. The source? Ziploc bags. It was one of the only sources of plastic at the time, and it was building up in my body despite my efforts to detox. I quickly replaced them with these glass jars.
Common toxins found here:
Plastics (phthalates, BPA’s), non-stick surfaces (PFAs, PTFE, PFOE), heavy metals (lead, aluminum, cadmium).
Simple Swaps:
Plastic storage containers for glass. I have used these from Pyrex for years, but these are also good.
Teflon pans for stainless steel or cast iron. I’ve been using this brand for over a decade with no issues, but there are many on the market, and the quality of steel isn’t listed on the packaging. Just make sure it’s good quality, 18/10 stainless steel before buying, like these.
Silicone and plastic cooking utensils for stainless steel or untreated wood, like these.
Plastic sponges do shed onto your dishes while scrubbing. Swap them for natural bristle cleaning brushes.
Traditional cleaners for non-toxic ones, like the Branch Basics cleaning concentrate or Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Dish Detergent. Both of these are favorite cleaners of mine.
Aluminum pans for stainless steel pans like these.
Bonus tip: Keep it simple and use vinegar, alcohol, or baking soda for cleaning.
Keep a “Clean” Bathroom
We spend more time than we think in this often-over-looked space. It’s not only where we do our, ahem…detoxing…it’s also where we wash ourselves and get ready. The products we use here often come in direct contact with our skin, which is our body’s largest organ and a pathway to our bloodstream. And while that lotion you’ve been using since you were sixteen may not make or break anything by itself, studies say we’re exposed to more than one hundred unique chemicals a day through personal care products alone. Just swapping out a few of these products can slash that number dramatically.
Common toxins found here:
Synthetic fragrances (lotion, hair products, makeup, skin care), phthalates (makeup and skin care), carcinogens, heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine.
Simple Swaps:
Traditional body wash for homemade bar soap. These are usually easy to find at local farmer’s markets, which is where I get mine, but something like this would be similar.
Traditional, fragrance-filled shampoo and conditioner for this non-fragranced, refillable option from Plaine Products. It’s the best I’ve found so far.
Air fresheners for essential oil diffusers or non-toxic candles like these.
Toilet cleaners for DIY cleaners or these from Blueland.
Read about my favorite makeup brands here.
Bonus tip: Add shower and faucet filters to reduce heavy metals and other contaminants commonly found in tap water.
Bedroom: Your Non-Toxic Haven
Your bedroom should be a blissful haven of comfort and healing. It’s where you rest, which is when your body cleanses itself and regenerates. It’s where you consistently spend (or should spend) 8-10 hours a day, or more if you practice good sleep hygiene. You don’t want to be sleeping in a den of toxins every night while your body is working to restore itself. The good news is this is one of the easiest rooms to convert with a few non-toxic swaps.
Common toxins found here:
Flame retardants, polyester (plastic), VOC’s from furniture.
Simple Swaps:
Synthetic bedding for organic cotton or linen. The fabrics closes to your body are the most important. You can get these on Amazon.
Polyurethane mattress for an all-natural mattress from Naturepedic or Avocado.
Polyester filling for down or cotton filling.
Dirty air for clean air with the use of an air filter like this one.
Bonus tip: Look for textile certifications like Oeko-Tex, Green Guard, or GOTS.
Living Room: A Breath of Fresh Air
Our living rooms are where we kick back and enjoy life. It should invite us to gather and rest, to indulge in hobbies or leisurely past-times. We don’t want to have to worry about what we’re breathing in when we’re binging our favorite Netflix show or sipping tea by the window as the sun goes down.
Common toxins found here:
VOC’s from furniture and building materials, fabric sprays, dust.
Simple Swaps:
Conventional furniture for Green Guard or GOTS certified furniture. We’ve been enjoying this sectional from Costco; it’s Green Guard certified and I’ve had no issues with it, despite sensitivities to VOC’s.
Synthetic rugs for natural ones from jute or wool.
Fabric sprays for essential oil diffusers or DIY linen spray.
Plastic or particle board furniture for natural wood painted with low VOC paint.
Bonus tip: Open the windows for fresh air movement.
Laundry Room: Detox Your Clothes and Skin
The laundry room might be an afterthought, but it packs a bigger punch than you’d think. If you or a loved one have ever struggled with eczema, acne, or sensitive skin, the first place you want to look is the laundry room. What are you washing your clothes in? Detergents leave a residue, and this residue can irritate and inflame sensitive skin. Not only that, but they can be filled with toxic chemicals that transfer to your skin while wearing them.
Common toxins found here:
Synthetic detergents (sulfates, phosphates), hormone disruptors (ethoxylates), fragrance, ammonia, bleach.
Simple Swaps:
Laundry detergent for fragrance-free and cleaner options like this one or this one.
Dryer sheets for wool balls.
Stain remover for this Meliora stain stick.
Bleach for hydrogen peroxide.
Bonus tip: sun bleaching can work wonders without the need for strong chemicals. Just apply a light stain remover like the Meliora stick, wash, and dry in the sun.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
Creating a non-toxic home is important, but you don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Start with the easiest things to replace, like dish detergent and hand soap, or make a resolution to do one room a month. Or simply wait until you run out of your current products, and replace them with non-toxic swaps when you do. Small steps are the key to big changes that are also sustainable. Take it easy, take it slow, and enjoy the journey.
