Have you decided it's time to swap out the toxic products in your home but aren't sure where to start?
When you start looking into going toxin-free, you'll quickly run into a very long list of toxic items in your home – everything from your soap to your flooring. Some swaps are easy, and some are more complicated. Some are an investment, while others are more affordable. Plus, some have larger impacts than others.
So if you're just getting started, where is the best place to begin? Here are my recommendations of the first five items to swap out for the most impact without too much effort or expense.
1 – Air Scents
My first recommendation is easy! Throw away all candles, wax melts, plug-ins, air fresheners, etc. – anything that puts artificial fragrance into the air. An hour of burning a scented candle is comparable to smoking a cigarette, and you don't need that in your life!
The best part of this swap is you don't event need to replace them, so it's a really simple starting point. You can simply throw them out and not invest another dime.
However, if you miss the scent, there are ways to have a nice-smelling home without toxins.
2 – Laundry
Second is laundry products – detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, etc. You're in contact with the residue from them almost 24/7 (unless you're running around naked a lot of the time), so it's a big impact.
Watch out for detergents, and use laundry soap instead. Choosing one without fragrance or dyes is a good place to start since those are easily recognizable. You can also make your own, or check out my list of brands I trust at the end of this list.
Fabric softener and dryer sheets aren't even necessary, so don't worry about replacing them. Just get some wool dryer balls, don't overdry your laundry, and your clothes will be just fine.
3 – Household Cleaners
Third is household cleaners. Again, you're in contact with them a lot, and it's a fairly easy swap – I only use a couple of products and ingredients to clean everything. (Pro tip: You can clean your counters and floors and sink with the same cleaner.)
Like with laundry, look for options without fragrances or dyes. I have brands I trust on my list at the bottom of this page, or look into making your own with castille soap, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, etc.
4 – Produce
Fourth is produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables should make up a large portion of your diet, so it's where I recommend starting.
If you can't afford all organic produce, prioritize it for produce you eat the skin of, and look up the dirty dozen list for those with the most pesticide residue.
Personally, I look for produce at local farmers markets, and in the off season, I use Misfits Market.
5 – Fragrance
Fifth is a bigger, longer-term project, but you need to get all artificial fragrance out of your home. This includes any household products like dish soap and personal care products. As you use up your soaps, hair care, skin care, makeup, start swapping them for better options. It took me a year to replace everything, so don't feel like you have to do it all at once. Small steps have big impacts, but if you get overwhelmed and give up, you get nowhere.
Where to Look for Alternatives
The next hurdle is finding safe alternatives. You can either buy or DIY, and I do some of both. I make some things, like my foaming hand soap and lip balm, but prefer to buy others, such as my cleaners and skin care.
If you decide that purchasing is easier, here are some companies I trust to reduce the toxins in my own life.
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