Becoming a mom really changes you. Not until I had my first baby did I ever think about the products I use on my body, about what’s actually in the foods I eat, or about using natural remedies over conventional medications. I ended up doing a lot of research on toxins and how they affect our hormone health specifically. I wanted to give my family the best chance at a healthy and low toxic lifestyle. I made a new year’s resolution to swap out all of our toxic products for non-toxic ones by the end of the year. It’s been a process, to be sure. I began by making small changes in our home. Sometimes I finish out a product I already have before I buy the clean alternative. Other times I just throw the bad stuff out. Either way, it takes some time and knowledge about what things I do and don’t want in our home.
So for anyone else who is looking to make some cleaner swaps in their home, I’d love to share some of my favorite non-toxic swaps I have made so far!
HOUSEHOLD
Laundry Detergent
One of the big swaps I saw in almost every post or article about lowering toxin intake was laundry detergent. It makes sense that we should want the stuff cleaning the clothes we wear on our bodies to be made from natural ingredients! Non-toxic laundry detergent can also be better for sensitive skin, as it does not contain any harsh chemicals. I found my favorite detergent ever, called MamaSuds, at a small refillery, Meli Market, in my parents’ town. I like the lemon scent, but the lavender is just as great! The fun thing about it is when I run out, I just take my empty jar to Meli and get myself another few ounces for super cheap. I’m talking less than $5 cheap! It’s two-for-one: non-toxic and sustainable! It is also way more powerful than you would think. Stains from my baby’s clothes always come right out!
All-Purpose & Bathroom Cleaners
Another sustainable and non-toxic swap I made early on was in my household cleaners. I got some Green Llama dissolvable tabs and put them into my own amber glass spray bottles. I have an all purpose bottle which smells like lemongrass and a bathroom bottle that smells like lavender. They work so well, and I am never worried that my baby will be exposed to dangerous chemicals if I leave the bottles in his reach or he gets into the cabinets.
Hand Soap
This is an easy one to swap for sure! That Bath and Body Works toxic foam should be no more! I had been using B&BW for quite some time to be honest because my Grandma loves to buy them for us, and I can’t just throw them away. But I finally ran out of them and have just been using a bar of soap from the farmer’s market. I know that soap is handmade and uses natural essential oils for fragrance. If you can, find a hand soap without parabens or phthalates when you make the switch!
Essential Oil Diffuser
I was super sad to learn that candles can be super toxic for your home. They can release pollutants into the air, even if unlit. To keep my house smelling good and fresh, I love to use my essential oil diffuser. I have doTERRA essential oils, but there are many brands to choose from. The oils can be used for so many other things too, so in my opinion they are definitely worth the money! My favorite blend right now is orange, lavender, and eucalyptus.
KITCHEN
Wooden Cooking utensils
I honestly have always loved the look of wooden utensils in a kitchen when it came to aesthetics. I was super happy to learn how much better they can be for our overall health in addition to being cute! I used to cook with plastic spatulas and serving spoons. But the more I used them I noticed how the edges began to melt and start peeling. Sometimes I would end up with little plastic particles in my soups or stir fries! I did not want plastics in my food so I made the switch to wood.
Glass Tupperware
On the topic of plastic, the more research you do, the worse it seems. It is everywhere. We buy our food in it, cook our food in it, and store our food in it! Glass tupperware can be expensive, but I totally think it’s worth the extra money. They last a long time and are so much better for you. No more toxins creeping into your leftovers! I’m a big thrifter, so anytime I am at the thrift store I scan the aisles for any size glass tupperware to add to my collection!
Dish Block & Dish Brush
Okay, hear me out. Throw out your Dawn soap and go for the dish block! It will change the way you do dishes. I actually enjoy doing the dishes more now! My dish block is from No Tox Life and is amazing. It truly lasts so much longer than liquid soap and cleans so well. I use a natural dish brush along with it. You just rub the brush on the surface of the block and clean away! It’s fun, easy, and sustainable!
Glass Drinkware
I am one of those people who loves a good water bottle. I mean you should have seen my cabinets a few years ago. So. Many. Cups. But after learning about the negatives of metal and plastic drinking vessels, I have come to love a simple glass cup. I threw out most of my random plastic cups. Now I am slowly replacing my cupboard with fun glasses that I find secondhand. I even got a glass “Stanley” which is awesome! It makes me feel part of the trend, but without the cons of a metal water bottle.
PERSONAL CARE
Cleansing Facial Bar
If you’re like me, or a girl in general, you probably have a skin care routine. I definitely did. I had a face wash, exfoliator, brightening mask, hyaluronic acid toner, retinol serum, and moisturizer. My routine was very long and complex. But after finding out about all the harsh chemicals in our facial products and how they are HUGE hormone disruptors, I used up the rest of my soaps and then switched to a simple facial bar. My bar is from The Ash House and is made from all natural ingredients. It is so smooth and takes my makeup off so easily! I am still using up the last of my old moisturizer, but when I run out, I plan on getting a tallow cream to use instead.
Charcoal Exfoliating Sponge
This little sponge was a stocking stuffer from my mom this past Christmas. It is so easy to use, not harsh on my skin, and makes my face feel so amazing! It is also from The Ash House. I use it after I wash my face with my facial bar, and I feel so refreshed!
Shampoo Bar
We don’t often think of our shampoos as being relevant when it comes to our toxin intake, but it actually is! Using good quality, natural shampoo is so beneficial. It can improve your scalp health, hair growth, and it’s great for people with sensitive skin. And personally, I think shampoo bars make my hair smell better than traditional liquid shampoos. This one is another two-for-one: sustainable and non-toxic! I got my current bar from the farmer’s market, so I know it is handmade with natural ingredients.
Deodorant
Like I said, becoming a mom changed me. It definitely changed my body odors. That postpartum BO was so awful. I could not find a deodorant that would keep the smell away for more than a couple hours. I tried three in total, until I splurged on some non-toxic roll on deodorant from No Tox Life. Let me just say, it changed my life. Not only did I not stink anymore, but it has lasted SO long! I use it every single day, and I have had it for seven months! And I still have about half of it left! That was a swap that was definitely worth the money. Another pro, the roller bottle it’s in is refillable, so when I do eventually run out, it’s easy and cheaper to refill.
Epsom Salts
I love a good Epsom salt bath. I recently switched to non-toxic salts from Rustic Strength after learning about the benefits of magnesium during the menstrual cycle. Having enough magnesium during that time can lessen PMS symptoms and painful cramps. Another reason for this swap was that I didn’t want to be exposing one of the most sensitive areas of my body to harsh chemicals. So soaking in quality epsom salts has become a frequent nighttime routine for me. I love the lavender lime scent. My whole bathroom smells like a spa!
