I decided to finally write a post that I have been wanting to write about the toxic things in our homes. Two women who I met at different occasions and started talking to influenced this post and me! I have learned a lot from them. One is a scientist and one is a breast cancer survivor. I asked them what the most toxic things are in our homes were and what the number one thing was they would change! I shared it all in this blog post.
I want to first say that I am in no-way perfect in any of these. But I am trying and making myself informed. I am not judging anyone who has any of these items, because I totally had ALL of them! Let’s learn together. And maybe choose one thing that you are going to change for something less-toxic. Also these are my personal findings and this is what I have done. Many will have their own opinions. Do your own research. This is just what I do. And not saying these things will prevent cancer or cure cancer. These are just my findings that I personally think “can’t hurt to change”.
Also knowing these items make a great topic of conversation! “Hey Aunt Susie, what do you think is the most toxic thing in your home?” It’s a new game play with everyone:)
1. Plastic food containers, plastic water bottles, plastic wrap
This was a top thing that my friend said she changed, plastic containers! Many plastic containers are made from chemicals such as phthalates, which can interfere with the body’s endocrine system to produce adverse developmental, reproductive and neurological effects in humans and since the plastic breaks down over time it can cause the release of these dangerous chemicals into your food. Good reason for me to switch to glass. Which I did over the summer after a friend told me that information on plastic containers. I have been using THESE Beeswax Food Wraps on my glass containers and bowls. I changed in the summer to all glass (THESE glass containers. I use THESE for snacks for kids. And THESE bags replaced all our plastic bags). And I like to use THESE reusable cups and sippy cups rather than plastic (use code nestingwithgrace for 10% off).
2. Nonstick pans
Another friend who had breast cancer (in remission thankfully) told me the first thing she changed was all the pans she cooks with! Non-stick pans are the most popular cookware and also the most controversial. According to the Environmental Working Group, nonstick coatings can “reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 3-5 minutes, releasing 15 toxic gases and chemicals, including two carcinogens.” There are non-stick pans that ARE non-toxic you just have to do your research. I found that a Cast Iron pan to be the most “green or non-toxic” we have THIS Cast Iron Pan, just read into how to properly take care of them! I am looking at getting THIS set of green pans, still doing my research.
3. Air fresheners
Like cleaning products, air fresheners help keep our homes nice, but a study by the University of California at Berkeley found that when used excessively or in unventilated area they release toxic levels of pollutants. If you use them make sure the room is well ventilated. We actually make our own! You can get the recipe HERE- DIY Room Spray.
4. Perfumes and Candles
A quick google search and I found this- Environmental Protection Agency found that potentially hazardous chemicals can commonly be found in fragrances. Causing some major side affects. Look for natural alternatives. And most candles are made of paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned. In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes. YIKES!! So look for candles made from vegetable (soy) wax. And a lead-free wick. And no fragrance. I am big into oils now and don’t use candles, except for battery operated. I am a big diffuser lover!! You can read more about that HERE.
5. Fabric softeners
Softeners work by coating your clothes with a thin layer of potentially toxic chemicals, such as quantenary ammonium salts. These can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems and headaches. This information is so new to me! I have been using THESE Wool Dryer Balls for about a month and have been completely happy with the results. They come with essential oils to make your clothes smell nice! A reader told me that you can use white vinegar in the Laundry room as a natural fabric softener. … A half-cup of white vinegar when added to the final rinse, on the other hand, will soften fabrics and leave no residue at all.
6. Cleaning products
This one seems obvious. I only use vinegar and water at our home or make sure that is is non-toxic before I buy it. I also use Thieves concentrate. I LOVE that new addition to my home. Anti- bacterial too! You can see more of the cleaning products I use HERE.
7. Flame Retardants
I met a woman at a play place and we started talking. She told me what she did and what she was interested in. She had recently written an article about toxic things in our home. I asked her what the the number one thing was and she said flame retardants in your mattress or mattress pad (remember when they made flame-retardant pajamas, my grandma insisted Ella wear them!) Flame retardants use polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEsfor short. Two forms of PBDEs were phased out of use in manufacturing in the United States in 2004 because of related health threats, but the products containing them linger on. Studies have linked PBDEs to learning and memory problems and other health issues. Good idea to check your mattress label! And check before you purchase a mattress cover. I found a non-toxic mattress protector when Finn switched to his big-boy bed.
8. Shower Curtain
Phthalates are sometimes used to soften the plastic that goes in shower curtains. Phthalates has been associated with causing harmful effects in children. Opt for a shower curtain that is phthalate-free. I use THIS cloth fabric liner that is non-toxic and I wash it every two weeks.
9. Bug sprays
Bug killers should be avoided inside (and ideally outside) of your house, as researchers have linked the insecticides to neurological damage in children. Scary!! For outdoors I try to just use citronella in a diffuser, non-toxic and free of D.E.E.T or petroleum. I also make my own bug-off spray!
BUG OFF SPRAY
2 ml spray bottle
1 oz of witch hazel
3-5 drops each of citronella, lemongrass, peppermint and lavender (find the oils I use HERE)
Fill the rest up with distilled water
10. Antiperspirants
One of the ingredients found in a lot of deodorants is aluminum. Food and Drug Administration does require a warning label on all antiperspirants. Questions have been raised about aluminum in deodorants if they contribute to breast cancer (studies are in-conclusive). But that is enough of a reason for me to look for all natural deodorant. THIS deodorant it works well for my Crossfit workouts and it smells good! Kevin uses it too!!
11. Sunscreens with Oxybenzone
I would avoid these ingredients after searching online- oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxateI. Similar toxins in fragrances. I have used THIS sunscreen for my kids for awhile.
12. Wi-Fi Routers
Wireless routers give off electromagnetic radiation in the low frequency. You probably can’t get away from the effects of Wi-Fi (I know I can’t!) You could disconnect your wi-fi router it at night. Which is a little out of the way for me. I was talking to a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer (thankfully went into remission). She said that she like to use a Himalayan Salt Lamp when she has her Wi-Fi on to “clean the air”. It might be a stretch, but I found this – “Combined with a light source inside the lamps, the chunks of salt produce negative ions, which yield positive effects on indoor air. Placing a Himalayan salt lamp in every room of the home can reap several health and environmental benefits. Among other things, they can: Balance Electromagnetic Radiation.” Who knows if they work, but I like the way the way they look. So I ordered one for the girls room. If anything it is a nice soft lamp for them at night. My friend did a lot of research and said that THIS Himalayan Salt Lamp. Again DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. This is just what I do. You can also find a router blanket, type cover.
Wow, so much to take in and consider. Would you please post the link to those water bottles you use? I’d like to rid my boys of their plastic ones for school. I kinda feel awful that I’m using some of these things. Thank you.
yes! I just updated the blog post and with the coupon code! Good idea!
Last night I watched the documentary STINK! on Netflix! This totally goes hand in hand with it! It’s a very interesting watch, I highly recommend it!! Love everything you do ❤️
Oh I am going to watch it!!!
Thank you so much for this info!
Three cosmetic companies that strive for nontoxic, organic production – Vapour Organic, Thrive, Consonant. I’ve been very pleased with all three.
I have the Think Dirty app on my phone to check the safety of products before buying them. You can scan the UPC label and it will rate the toxicity of the product on a scale from 0-10.
Side note: I’ve check many Mrs Meyers products on Think Dirty and they are rated pretty high unfortunately. Most average an 8/10.
Would love to hear more about your vinegar & water mixture to clean, Brooke! What ratio do you use? Is it just plain white vinegar? And what do you clean around your home with it- floors? Counters? Shower?
Great post! Thanks for all the info and research! 🙂
Yes! I was going to mention the Think Dirty App also, but you already did! 👍🏻 There are so many things that I thought would be safe that aren’t! That App is so helpful!
Thank You for mentioning that. I used to be an avid Seventh Generation user only to find out many of their products are quite toxic as well
I loved Mrs Meyer’s products until I discovered the same thing: they still have a lot of ingredients that are harmful. Bummer 🙁
I make my own spray bottles of white vinegar and water (one for the kitchen and one for each bathroom so they are accessible). I add a few drops of dish soap (I like the Kirkland Environmentally Friendly dish soap from Costco) to the bottles and for the ones in the bath, I also add about a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol which works great for cleaning soapy film and grime off glass shower doors and bath tile. Works great, smells good and is environmentally (and human health) friendly!
agree! Unfortunately soooo many ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and so called ‘good’ products are actually not, green-washing is so frustrating in our industry. Mrs. Meyers, Method, Baby Organics being the top ones…bummer! It pays to dig deep in the research. However, I am a firm believer of also going at your own pace and switching slowly or in a way that works for your family. It can feel overwhelming but once your understand the key ingredients to look for and how green-washing works…it becomes easier! Thanks for the info!
Thank you SO much for this post! While I’m a person who researches products a lot, so much of the public is unaware and people like you with a large following talking about it is so helpful to let people know!
Something else that isn’t discussed often is what’s in our skincare and makeup. The FDA hasn’t updated its regulations on cosmetics in 80 years and only 30 ingredients are banned (as opposed to the EU’s more than 1500)! So scary. I’m so passionate about letting women know what’s in their products they put directly into their bodies every day! Beautycounter is a great cosmetic company working at providing safer beauty. I would love to collaborate to help educate on this if you are ever interested! Beautycounter.com/mirandagiger
Xoxo, keep sharing!
Thanks, for this post! I want to share this with my husband. I thought the first thing I would work on was getting rid of the plastic food storage containers. I went on Amazon to look for glass storage containers, they have lots…but they all had plastic lids! (Hand On forehead!) I will continue the search, and really think I will look into each item on this list!
Well I do have some with plastic lid- but it is not really ever touching the food….
I have these- https://rstyle.me/n/dcns3gb5qwf
Hi Brooke,
Thank you for this. Can you please share what you use in your steam cleaner, and if you use the same thing on the rugs that you use on the upholstery. Thanks so much for this wonderful community!
I used a cleaner called Puracy- Natural Carpet and upholstery shampoo (found on amazon) It did bubble up a lot- so use less than it says. The cleaner does say to only use their cleaner- but I risked it and it has been fine!
Thanks for this blog post! I started switching to safer during the summer. My first change was my son’s barthwash and shampoo. I discovered Beautycounter!! Life changing because it is fragrance free and safe for him. I’ve now switched my detergent and eliminated candles. I still need to replace my plastic with glass.
If you’d like to know more about safe products for you and your family, I am now a consultant with a Beautycounter.
Love following your blog!
Gail Burdette
This Is right up my alley! Love that you’re bringing awareness to it. It’s easy to get sucked into a hole trying to make sure your home is safe from chemicals. I just do what I can!
Yes! Do what you can!!
This great blog post made me start wondering about K cups for Keurigs. They have aluminum tops covering a plastic cup. Do you think they are unhealthy as well? I’m thinking they probably are! Oh no!! I’m the only coffee drinker in the house and it is so convenient. I may be switching to a French press!
I LOVE my French press!! I am not sure on that…. I would research!!
Also – not a household product – but nail polish is so toxic. Vapour Organics has nontoxic shades, and EWG produces a list of nontoxic personal care products. If it goes on your skin, it’s going in your body!
I have heard that and I had no clue!
I so love that you have done this post and that you are making an effort to get rid of those toxic, harmful products. We started doing that in our house as well last spring when I had a friend educate me of the harmful products. I had no clue!!! I did find a company called Young Living that offers a great variety of products to use in our homes that are toxic free. I looooove the Thieves Cleaning line. It smells so wonderful. And they even had a baby line and a make up line. So amazing!!!
Yes! I am going to start using the young living stuff too!!
I started using Thieves 5 months ago and find that it cleans everything in my house far BETTER than any other cleaners!! It’s amazing on grout!!
agreed!
I agree with 100% with everything on this list. We raise our daughter Montessori/Waldorf/Reggio style because we love the philosophies and also because we practice minimalism, open ended toys that are heirloom pieces made of natural materials and are non-toxic. We eliminate plastics everywhere we possibly can. Also as a fellow Interior Designer—carpets, paints, upholstery and stuffing can be very off-gassing! Thank you for sharing this information! ❤️
Wow! I failed big time. Thank you for this info.
oh no, not all!!! I didn’t realize a lot either!
Hi Brooke! When you use the wool dryer balls with the oils does the oil get on your clothes? Thank you.
I just use a SMALL amount so I haven’t had issues….
Thank you so much for sharing this info! “Ditching & Switching” has recently become a huge thing in my household & for my family, & I’m shocked about how many people still have no clue about it! I would definitely recommend checking out the think dirty app! Many company’s are using catchy phrases and natural looking images on their products, when in reality, they are anything but! My family has also started using all Young Living essential oil products & having amazing results! The Thieves Household Cleaner, will change your life! Haha
yay!! Thanks for this!!
I was diagnosed with a rare aggressive endometrial cancer last year which gave way to me taking massive change in what I put in my body and around my body in a daily way. I love that you hit straight on so many of the things that so many of us have had as norms for our homes. So many of the chemicals you mentioned linger a long time in our air and clothes . One of the first things I was challenged with changing was my laundrying routine. I use the wool balls you suggested and LOVE THEM. Also I found a company that has an amazing system and affordable, – My Green Fills. Really love what they offer and it filled a gap in converting to a non-toxic system.
Such a great post with so many important things to think about. Thank you! I’ve been slowly switching over to these healthier options too. The only thing to be careful of is the Himilayan salt lamp. We received one as a gift. I put in on a shelf in our garage about 3 feet away from our electric panel. Somehow the ions caused our entire electric panel to completely corrode. Our electrician said we were so very fortunate our house didn’t burn down. We were the 2nd house he’s replaced an electric panel due to the salt lamps. It was a very expensive and dangerous “gift”. Please be careful to keep them away from any electrical source.
Great info! I’ve tried so many natural deodorant and Native is my favorite. I like coconut and vanilla the best! Funky chemicals get snuck into so many things. Today I found titanium dioxide in a random edible item… frosting that came with a gingerbread house kit. 😳 Needless to say my kids did not eat that.
Great post! I love the beeswax wraps. Unfortunately, Meyers products are not 💯 great for your home and have toxins. The best is good old baking soda with vinegar and add pure essential oils. I also have done the glass from plastic switch!
Awesome post and so much great info, thanks so much! I’m a new reader to your blog and Instagram follower. I have to ask, where did you get the cake stand that you use by the kitchen sink that holds your soap and candle, etc.? We are moving into a new house and have been looking for one and love your’s! =)
Thank you! I bought it awhile ago. Some have found at home goods or tj maxx. Or here is a similar one- https://rstyle.me/n/da8kz6b5qwf
great post, thank you for all of the links and info! Just like another reader, i just watched “Stink” on Netflix. Timely post! Thanks Brooke!
Thanks for the info! I’ll definitely look more closely at the candles I bring home. As I was researching the benefits of salt lamps, I came across this article in Snopes and thought it was worth mentioning here. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/salt-lamps-cure-everything/
They may not work to clear the air, but they’re cute!
We have tried to be more aware of the toxins in our lives too. I save any glass jars that we get from food and reuse them to store and freeze, easy and free. It is especially nice that some of our favorite food come in the same size jar and we use them quickly- gives us a great selection of storage sizes in multiples that are free. Also a huge fan of vinegar for cleaning. It works well for almost everything, I even use it in place of laundry detergent but add a little sea salt with it for even better results.
We have also found that once we stepped away from scented items we realized how strong they were when we are in contact with them in other peoples homes.
I guess I just feel like we have nothing to lose and so much to gain.
Thanks for sharing all of this!
Hi Brooke- just wondering if you or any one else has used the non toxic cleaning products Branch Basics? Thinking about trying their system. I like YL theives, but you have to be careful when using theives around cats and I have 3! Dogs are ok with theives though, just FYI!
I was just wondering on the whole plastic thing, do you still use plastic baggies for your kids lunch to hold their sandwich/chips etc.? I am going to start replacing our plastic containers with glass ones but I am just wondering of the other plastic things we use everyday around our food… Also regarding the non stick pans, what have you replaced your cookie sheet pan with? I know most cookie sheets are non stick. Are you just putting the parchment paper over before placing food on it? I really want to start slowly changing over to healthier living, it can become very overwhelming as other readers have mentioned brands like Mrs. Meyers really isn’t that “safe” as we are think.
I do not use plastic bags for my kids lunch. I use these- https://rstyle.me/n/dcvjbtb5qwf
Also yes, I do use parchment paper.
But again- not ALL non-stick are toxic.There are many non-stick brands that are non-toxic. You just have to do your research.
I don’t use much Mrs. Meyers- I have that room spray. Grove has many items that I listed that are awesome for non-toxic living.
I have been using Young Living and Theives- I will have to share more about that later.
Thank you for this list! We’ve switched out many items in our home, but I’m always looking for ways to be even better. One switch we made was getting rid of paper napkins. My kids and I sewed up a pile of cloth napkins and we’ve never looked back. They’re so small that they don’t really add much to our towel load, so no “extra” laundry, and so much less waste. Also, most paper napkins are loaded with bleach and other processing chemicals; not the kind of stuff you want to be wiping on your hands or mouth.
This was a good read! I love the beeswax wrapping idea! Eco-friendly and non-toxic!
Thanks for sharing! I hadn’t thought about the router before. The salt rock idea is worth trying! Thanks!