Tons of trends take over the internet, and they seem to disappear or change as quickly as they start. One trend you may have noticed that seems like it is here to stay, and for good reason, is living a less toxic lifestyle. Why is this important? Over time we have slowly filled our homes with toxic chemicals, smells, and items that decrease our quality and quantity of life. Most of the time we don’t even know that a particular product could be wreaking havoc on our health. So many of us struggle with chronic health issues, like eczema or allergies for example. Google the #1 cause of eczema – it’s environmental irritants. Such as perfumes, detergents, skin care, fragrances, etc.
I have wanted to make swaps to non-toxic products for the last few years, but I often find myself getting so overwhelmed that I ultimately keep buying the products that I know and (think) I love. I had to sit back and ask myself “why?” and determine how I can commit to making changes and help others do the same.
It is overwhelming. Everywhere I look in my home, I know there are toxins in the products and things that I have sitting around. How could I possibly do this all-in-one day, even one week, one month!? So, let’s make time our friend, and pick a specific number of changes to make in a specific amount of time – 24 things in 2024. That sounds more feasible and less overwhelming, right?
Finances are another huge set back for making changes. As you look at non-toxic options, the price tag goes up. Another reason that most of us can’t make all these non-toxic changes in a short period of time. Even though I would love to snap my fingers and have every toxic thing in my environment be replaced with a non-toxic thing, I simply can’t.
I can control my immediate environment; my home. The place I spend most of my time and sleep each night with my family and pets. The place that I invite other friends and family into, and you can too. I want to be able to make my home a comfortable, non-toxic environment without being so overwhelmed.
My plan is to make these swaps slowly; when I NEED a replacement or refill of the item. This way it isn’t so overwhelming to the budget, and I will spend based on a need instead of a want. Now this is just my personal plan. Some of you might want to make abrupt changes and get rid of the toxic item immediately to swap for the non-toxic – DO IT! I am cheering you on. I understand that my plan keeps the toxic items around longer, and I hate that. BUT they have already been around long enough, and if I can get them out of my home permanently in the next year, that is a huge step towards a non-toxic lifestyle and I will be proud of each change. I need to make slower changes based on our budget and spending.
I am using a few different resources for the toxic vs. non-toxic assessment. Such as the Yuka app, which lists out ingredients and rates them, explaining in detail the level of risk and if the ingredient is hazardous. If you haven’t heard of this app, it is free, and I highly recommend! However, I pay for the premium membership so I can search products whenever I want, but it doesn’t do all products so I am using other resources as well. Such as credible online resources like EWG, which also breaks down ingredients and gives products a “grade” like A+ through F. Both Yuka and EWG will suggest swaps for products as well. One thing to look out for is “greenwashing.” If you haven’t heard of this term, it essentially means that a company may advertise itself as environmentally friendly and non-toxic, but their products and ingredients don’t reflect that.
Let’s do it!
Swap # 1
Candles/Fragrance
Toxic: Bath and Body Works
-
- BBW candles contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) which is a known hazardous ingredient due to health risks such as endocrine disruption and allergens. It also includes paraffin, which is a potential carcinogen. Along with other moderate risk factor ingredients. When you burn these candles, you are releasing these ingredients into the air and inhaling them directly into your lungs.
-
- This is not just relevant to BBW candles. Many and most storebought candles are made up of similar ingredients, causing the same effect. I just so happen mostly have B&BW candles in my candle collection over other brands or types.
The Non-Toxic Swap: Pura Diffusers
-
- Pura is a clean home fragrance system (also available for cars). It is a wall diffuser that plugs in and connects to an app on your phone. It holds up to two different scents at once, and allows you to control the strength of fragrance through your phone – super techy and cool, right? Basically, an electronic candle.
-
- Most importantly there are no additives, chemicals, or toxins in pura. Safe for kids, adults, and pets (this is important because some essential oils used in diffusers can be harmful to household pets.
Swap #2
Laundry Detergent
Toxic: Currently using Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin and Dreft
-
- Often times, the fragrances in these products are toxic, and can be easily hidden under the ingredient “fragrance” even if they claim to have no phthalates. Dreft rates an F on ewg.com – YIKES! Both products contain hazardous chemicals that can contribute to cancer or digestive issues.
Non-Toxic Swap: Truly Free Laundry Detergent
Swap #3
Foundation
Toxic: Loreal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation ($13.99)
-
- Contains Octinoxate which is banned in Hawaii due to its dangers to the marine environment. It is also an endocrine disruptor and thyroid hormone disruptor. Also contains BHT.
Non-Toxic: Ilia Foundation
-
- Clean skin care brand
Swap #4
Hand Soap
Toxic: Bath & Body Works
-
- B&BW hand soaps that I scanned in my home rated a 0 on the Yuka app, they don’t get much worse than that! Due to over three hazardous ingredients including Methylchloroisothiazolinone which is highly allergenic and contributes to irritations of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Terrible that this is in a product specifically developed for skin.
Non-Toxic: Mrs. Meyers Hand Soap
-
- Woohoo, our first cheaper swap! Saving money and contributing to our health.
Swap #5
Cooking Pans
This one is a pricier swap, and we won’t “run out” of pans, so this is a swap that will have to be better planned and potentially budgeted for! Or ask for new pans for a gift birthday/Christmas.
Toxic: Cuisinart Non-Stick Pans
-
- Most popular and highly controversial – most (not all) non-stick pans release toxic chemicals into food when they reach a certain cooking temperature. Not to mention, over time the non-stick coating begins to get scratched or peel and coating gets in your food as well.
Non-Toxic: Cast-Iron, Stainless Steel, Caraway
-
- Cast Iron Pans are generally the most clean/non-toxic, but you do have to learn how to cook and care for them. Another option is stainless steel pans, which are like cast iron in that they are completely safe, but have a learning curve. Expensive, but non-stick option on the market is Caraway Pans.
-
- I recently just got some hand-me-down stainless-steel pans that are in perfect condition, so I get to check this one off my list.
Swap #6
Cleaning Products (Multipurpose, Glass Cleaner, etc.)
I could expand on each individual cleaning product that is in my home – I love to clean and deep clean so I have quite a collection. From toilet cleaner to granite counter cleaner, there are many swaps to make.
Toxic: Clorox Multi-surface Cleaner
Non-Toxic Swap: Method All Purpose Cleaner
*Vinegar and Lemon have natural cleaning and disinfectant properties as well, and you likely already have them in your cupboard. There are many “homemade” cleaning products that will clean great, if you buy yourself glass bottles and make your own. Be careful and pay attention to things you are mixing, some chemicals should never be mixed, i.e bleach and vinegar.
Swap #7
Dryer Sheets
Toxic: Bounce Pet Hair & Lint
Non-Toxic Swap: Wool Dryer Balls (Chemical Free)
Swap #8
Dish Soap
Toxic: Dawn Dish Soap
Non-Toxic Swap: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Liquid Dish Soap
Swap #9
Dishwasher Pods
Toxic: Cascade Complete
Non-Toxic Swap: Truly Free Dishwasher Soap
Swap #10
Tupperware/To-Go Containers
Toxic: Rubbermaid Plastic Food Storage Containers (any plastic container)
Non-Toxic Swap: OXO Good Grips Glass Storage Containers (any glass containers)
Swap #11
Deodorant
Toxic: Degree Dry Protection Shower Clean
Non-Toxic Swap: Toms Wild Lavender Deodorant
Swap #12
Concealer
Toxic: Elf 16 Hour Camo Concealer
Non-Toxic Swap: Kosas Concealer
Swap #13
Lip Balm
Toxic: ChapStick
Non-Toxic Swap: Dr. Bronners Peppermint Organic Lip Balm
Swap #14
Plastic Water Bottles
Toxic: Any Plastic Water Bottles i.e. Dasani, Poland Springs
Non-Toxic Swap: Simple Modern Tumbler, Owala Tumbler, Stanley Cups, Hydro Flask
I am aware of the current discussion regarding Stanleys and some other tumblers for the possibility of lead containment; lead ingestion is a huge no. From what I have found, the seal on the bottom of the Stanley cup is exposed to lead during the sealing process but you will not be exposed to lead unless the cup is damaged. Based on lead tests, the inside and outside of the cup (undamaged) does not expose lead. However, there are other brands of aluminum tumblers that have no concern of lead.
Swap #15
Sunscreen
Toxic: Banana Boat Sunscreen
-
- Octocrylene is a hazardous chemical to both humans and marine species.
Non-Toxic Swap: Salt & Stone Sunscreen Stick or Cream
Swap #16
Toothpaste
Toxic: Crest Pro-Health
Non-Toxic Swap: Dr. Bronners All-One Toothpaste Peppermint
Swap #17
Shampoo & Conditioner
Toxic: Garnier Whole Blends
Non-Toxic Swap: Native Shampoo & Conditioner
Swap #18 (sort of)
This is actually NOT a swap, but two tips to help improve the health of you home (air quality and bacteria).
Tip 1 – Add air purifying plants to your home, 1 plant per 100 square feet. Some examples of air purifying plants are pothos, spider plants, rubber plant, etc.
Tip 2 – Do NOT wear shoes in the home that were worn outside of the home, dedicate a pair of shoes (slippers) for inside wearing, and leave all other shoes in the garage or entry way shoe rack. The stats about the amount of germs and bacteria that our shoes harbor is disturbing, especially if you have little ones that crawl and play predominantly on the ground.
Swap #19
Perfume
Toxic: In The Stars B&BW Body Spray
Non-Toxic: Henry Rose Perfume(s)
Swap #20
Hand Sanitizer
Toxic: Any hand sanitizer containing Methanol or Methyl Alcohol
-
- The FDA actually recalled a significant amount of hand sanitizers for the containment of these ingredients.
Non-Toxic Swap: Purell or Touchland (travel size)
Swap #21
Plastic Cookware/Utensils
Toxic: Plastic Spatulas, Whisks, etc.
Non-Toxic Swaps: Wooden Utensils or Silicon
Swap #22
Plastic Wrap
Toxic: Glad Press n’ Seal
-
- Now, I know that this may not always directly touch your food, but plastic wrap contributes to a lot of environmental waste, so when you can replace something like this with a natural reusable product, it is always a yes.
Non-Toxic Swap: Natural Bees Wax Wraps (Reusable)
-
- Usually hand made, can be found on Etsy or Amazon – but I love supporting small local business, so my vote it Etsy!
Swap #23
Plastic Bags i.e. Grocery Store Bags
Toxic: Grocery Store Bags
Non-Toxic Swap: Reusable Bags (cotton, sustainable, organic)
Swap #24
Sponges
Toxic: Scotch Bright Dish Sponge (typical basic dish sponge)
-
- You’re washing your dishes with synthetic materials like polyurethane and petroleum. Not to mention the bacteria that sponges harbor.
Non-Toxic Swap: Airnex Biodegradable Plant Based Dish Sponge
-
- Change your sponge every 1-2 weeks, and rinse with hot water to kill bacteria after use, prior to letting it air dry.
There ya have it! 24 swaps to make in 2024 to propel yourself towards less toxic living. I have included a free checklist so that you can keep track of your swaps. Reminder that I referred to my toxic products that I use or have in my home, but you may have a different product that is toxic, so refer to the category to decide if your product is toxic and in need of a swap. I would love to hear feedback and success stories and you use this guide to make changes. Happy swapping!
The following are links to non-toxic items that I have mentioned in the blog. As an Amazon Affiliate I do make a small commission if you purchase any products through these links. Disclaimer – I only link products that I personally trust and would truly reccommend.
So excited to follow along on this journey! Thanks for the inspo ◡̈ Can we get periodic reviews of the nontox brands you try with your thoughts on them?