9 Easy Non-Toxic Swaps
Ready to make some changes and bring some non-toxic products into your daily routine? Not sure where to start? Here are nine easy non-toxic stops to get you started!
1 – BATH TOWELS & WASHCLOTHS
After every shower, when you wash your face, when you wash your hands – we use the towels in our bathrooms a lot! Most every day towels you’ll find online or at a home good store may have been treaded with toxic chemicals such as
There are SO many options out there when it comes to “clean” towels, but generally you’re on the right track if you’re purchasing a product that is either OEKO-TEX or GOTS Organic Certified. Both certifications go beyond just prohibiting chemicals, they also verify that the whole process of production is done sustainably and safely.
OEKO-TEX certified product go through a thorough certification process. Every thread, button and accessory have been tested against a list of over 1,000 harmful substances. GOTS prohibits all chemicals that don’t meet rigorous conditions, including flame retardants, PFAS and toxic dyes. Allergenic, carcinogenic or toxic chemical residues are also not allowed.
Where to begin with all the options and certifications? Personally, we started using these towels, which can be found on Amazon, but I’ve also seen similar towels at TJ Maxx.
2 – TOILET PAPER
We use toilet paper daily, sometimes multiple times a day. The whiter, fluffier and more scented your toilet paper is, the more chemicals it’s likely to contain. The easiest way to eliminate these toxins is to eliminate using toilet paper and switch to a bidet! You can find a budget bidet, or go luxurious with a heated and drying model.
We haven’t taken the bidet plunge yet, but we’ve started using undyed bamboo toilet paper. Bamboo is a wonderful alternative; it’s unbleached and plastic-free with no BPA, dyes, inks or nasty chemicals.
3 – PLATES
One word: Corelle! You can’t go wrong with Corelle dinnerware. There are many options that don’t contain the chemicals that some brands do, but Corelle seems to be the best bet. The dishes come in a wide range of colors and designs, so you’ll have plenty of choices. Some other alternatives include ceramic, glass, or stainless steel.
4 – SHEETS & PILLOW CASES
More bamboo! (Are you sensing a trend here?) Pillowcases, especially those made from synthetic materials, can contain chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, and VOCs, which can cause health problems like respiratory irritation, skin irritation, and even cancer. Another great alternative is organic cotton, although using any oeko-tex certified sheet set will help avoid these chemicals.
5 – LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Your clothing comes in contact with your skin daily, and that means the chemicals in the detergent you wash them in could be coming in contact with your skin every day. A good starting point is to avoid some common toxic ingredients:
We currently use Dr. Sud’s laundry detergent, as it was the most affordable clean detergent I could find, but Molly’s Suds is also a popular alternative. Dr. Sud’s only has three ingredients: baking soda, soda ash, and epsom salt. I mix in some essential oils and we’re good to go!
There are some great DIY recipes out there, but I can’t recommend any specifically. Maybe I’ll attempt to DIY it someday, but for now the ease of buying something clean is a convenience I haven’t been able to give up.
6 – DEODORANT
Ryan has been on the aluminum free deodorant train for years, but up until a year or so ago I couldn’t let go of my name brand heavily fragranced products. I finally decided to make the change and skipped over buying non-tox deodorant, going directly to making my own. It is SO much easier than you’d think! You can find plenty of recipes online and I’ll be posting my own soon!
7 – POTS/PANS/UTENSILS
Stainless steel everything! Throw in some cast iron and you’re set. This is the current pan set we’re using and it holds up wonderfully. I can’t stress enough how bad non-stick cookware can be for us. Teflon/non-stick cookware contains PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, which are linked to liver damage, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, asthma, immune system dysfunction, reduced fertility, low birth weight, and effects on children’s cognitive and neurobehavioral development
Stainless can cover most of our cooking needs, but some quality cast iron can round out the team. Just don’t ask me how to maintain them, that one’s for Ryan.
8 – AIRFRESHENERS AND CANDLES
I used to love the smell of a plug in air freshener. I would use one in every room! Somehow I never correlated the seemingly random headaches these brought on with the actual cause until Ryan pointed this out. We’ve eliminated all artificial fragrances in our home, and when I smell one now I can’t believe we used to live around such strong odors!
You can find plenty of candles that are naturally scented with essential oils, or grab a diffuser and a bottle of your favorite essential oil to enjoy.
9 – HAND AND DISH SOAP
The soap we used before making a swap had over twelve ingredients, and I could only pronounce 5 of them! We are die hard fans of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, but happened to find some Dr. Naturals soap on our last trip to the grocery store and have come to love it as a dish soap. The ingredients? Water, Coconut Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Olive Oil, Citric Acid, Almond Fragrance, Organic Shea Butter, Tocopherol, Rosemary Leaf Extract- way less scary than the Alkyldimethylmine oxide and Methylisothiazolinone in the major liquid soap brands.
Swapping out all these products may seem overwhelming, but hopefully this article has helped give you a jumping off point and some helpful recommendations. Start anywhere and make changes as quickly or as slowly as you’d like; every change in the right direction is progress and an investment in yourself!
