Here’s the scary truth…

We are exposed to toxic, harmful chemicals literally all around us.  They are in the products used to clean, cook, launder, clothe, bathe, sleep, and sit on. Everything you put on and in your body then gets into your bloodstream and plays a role in how your body functions. The problem is, we might not understand the magnitude of toxins because we don’t see the harm from day-to-day.  One of my fave bloggers and fellow hashi-warrior Living Minnaly put it best:

I liken it to smoking cigarettes— if you smoke, it’s hard to realize just how much it’s affecting your body in the short-term, because there isn’t much to the naked eye you can see of its harmful effects. But it’s in the long-run that these toxic ingredients get you.

It can be overwhelming when you start to look around and see all you’ve been exposed to, but it can also be empowering because there are ways to cut these toxins out of our lives.  If transitioning to a toxic free home seems daunting, I got you! I’m not an expert, but I’ll break down some of my favorite non-toxic, sustainable, safe swaps that have served me well that can even save you money.

Dryer Balls

We love our dryer balls (like these cruelty free wool ones!) – they help shorten dry time, reduce static, and soften laundry.  Not to mention, it is a great zero-waste solution. Optional – add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil, and you’re good to go!

Environmental Working Group Rating: A

Cost Savings: These dryer balls will last you over 1,000 loads for less than $15, compared to an average box of dryer sheets at, let’s say $5, for 80 loads. Which means to get the same 1,000 loads, you’d need 12.5 boxes, totaling $62.50.

Detergent

The detergent we use gets absorbed into our clothes and bedding, which is then absorbed into our skin and eventually the bloodstream. The type of detergent we use also has major environmental impact – everything you wash down the drain gets in our waterways, you know? We love the limited ingredients, effectiveness and mission of Molly’s Suds.

EWG Rating: A

Cost Savings: A little goes a long way with Molly’s at about $0.16/load vs competitors that range from $0.18 – 0.50/load, depending on if it’s liquid or powder.

All Purpose Cleaner

Dr Bronner’s soap was the first product I purchased since pursuing a healthier lifestyle many years ago. Why? Because a bottle lasts forever, it can be used for so many purposes, and it’s plain safe.

EWG Rating: A

Cost Savings: True to Dr Bronner’s fashion, this cleaner is highly concentrated. For general jobs, simply dilute 1.5 teaspoons per gallon of water.  That comes to 128 “jobs”/bottle, and at less than $20 a bottle, it’s about $0.16/job. This is compared to Lysol that requires ¼ cup per gallon, totalling 60 “jobs” per 120 ounces and $0.20/job.

Glass Water Bottle

Using a glass water bottle instead of plastic has many benefits. One glass bottle = 3,000 plastic bottles per year, over $500/year per person (drinking 64 oz/day), and avoids ingesting microplastics. (To be transparent, the World Health Organization hasn’t found this to be a negative impact but is a growing concern.)

Food Storage and Cooking

Remove all the teflon, non-stick and replace with stainless steel and cast-iron. Store and heat food in glass containers. (Full disclosure, we still have some plastic food containers but try to avoid heating up in them!)

Let’s Get Real

This stuff’s important, friends, and it’s not new information – we’ve been surrounded by harmful chemicals for decades. These ingredients are in common, everyday products that are linked to cancer, thyroid problems, reproductive issues, asthma, and more. The only difference now from years past is that more people are waking up and wanting more for their health and the health of our planet!

My advice that you’ll hear me repeat many times: be patient, replace items as you run out, and do your research.  Changing to a non-toxic home and lifestyle shouldn’t break the bank or cause you unneeded stress. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share other sustainable, safe swaps for other areas of the home!

Some of the links included are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Trust I always thoroughly research and use any product I share and appreciate your returned support!