I want to create a healthy, happy home for my family, and I know many of you do too. While we can’t control everything, we can choose what products we bring into our homes and how we use them.
Recently I wrote about hidden toxins in everyday products many of us keep under sinks and in cabinets. The main takeaway: don’t let the research overwhelm you. You don’t need to study every ingredient to start making better choices. Small, intentional steps are far more helpful than paralysis or guilt.
I keep things simple by focusing on a few positive changes I can make now. I won’t fix everything overnight, but I can choose gentler products for cleaning and personal care.
Less is more—minimize the number of products you use and be selective about ingredients to reduce potential risk.
Minimize products and be selective about ingredients to lower potential risk.
I share what I use and why so you have a starting point. My suggestions are opinion-based and meant to help narrow options, not to be an exhaustive or final authority. Information changes over time, so keep up with current research to make the best decisions for your family.
Here’s a brief, non-exhaustive list of ingredients to research and watch for:
- parabens
- phenol
- benzene
- ammonia
- bleach
- fragrance (phthalates)
- dyes
- phosphates
- triclosan
- sodium lauryl sulfate / sodium laureth sulfate
- flame retardants
Whether a chemical poses a known risk or a possible one, we don’t feel the need to rely on harsh products in our home. We can switch things gradually.
We don’t need to bathe ourselves in synthetic fragrances, inhale them constantly, or use them to clean our homes. There are alternatives that feel safer to our family. Yes, we still have some unstudied products on hand, but we’re slowly evaluating and replacing what we can.
Simplifying the use of unnecessary chemicals and redefining what “clean” means is a sensible, achievable goal.
See our DIY shower spray and other ideas we shared previously.
Today I’ll share a few straightforward changes we’ve implemented at home.
When choosing products, we prefer those as close to their natural state as possible—plant-based or derived from plants. If we don’t make products ourselves, we look for companies we trust to use responsible farming and manufacturing practices.
Responsible farming isn’t always indicated by a label alone. It’s about how plants are grown, the soil quality, and a company’s commitment to purity. That takes a little research, but it’s worth the confidence it brings.
Small steps toward a healthier home are better than none. Moderation and common sense are good guides.
Below are a few products and approaches we use or trust. They may not be right for everyone, but they illustrate how you can start making choices that align with your priorities.
SIMPLE NON-TOXIC WAYS TO CLEAN:
If you like DIY, begin with a few versatile base products and combine them in different ways. We like unscented castile soap as a base because it’s gentle and multi-purpose.
Unscented castile soap can be used as a fruit and vegetable rinse, bath soap, hand soap, shaving cream, or makeup brush cleaner. You can add essential oils for scent if desired.
Castile soap uses include:
fruit/vegetable rinse
bath soap
hand soap
shaving cream
makeup brush cleaner
DIY NON-TOXIC CLEANING WITH BAKING SODA:
- Use a lemon half with baking soda to scrub and freshen your sink.
- Sprinkle baking soda, add a splash of dish soap, scrub with warm water and a wet rag to clean surfaces.
- Clear a sink drain with 1/2 cup baking soda, then 1/2 cup vinegar. After fizzing, flush with 6 cups hot water.
- To make a toilet bowl cleaner: 1/4 cup baking soda + 1 cup vinegar.
- All-purpose cleaner: 1/2 cup vinegar + 1/4 cup baking soda + 1/2 gallon water.
Baking soda is an easy, effective cleaner. Add a drop of essential oil if you want a pleasant scent.
BETTER HEALTH WITH PURE ESSENTIAL OILS
Pure essential oils add plant-based scent to unscented soaps and cleaners and can make your home smell great without synthetic fragrances. Essential oils come from plants and have a long history of safe use when sourced responsibly.
Not all products labeled “essential oil” are equal—some may contain fillers or additives. Trusting the source matters. We choose brands we’ve researched for farming and quality standards.
Plant-based oils can scent cleaners, facial washes, and diffusers while avoiding many harmful synthetic fragrances. They can be used thoughtfully to support a healthier home environment.
One All-Purpose Plant-Based Cleaner
A concentrated plant-based household cleaner can simplify your routine. A small amount diluted in water works for most surfaces and can replace multiple harsh cleaners.
A versatile household cleaner can be used diluted for counters, sinks, floors, and more. It’s economical and effective when mixed to strength depending on the task.
A concentrated household cleaner is versatile and cost-effective when mixed with water. A little goes a long way, and a plant-based formula can clean well without harsh chemicals.
Clean with a single plant-based cleaner:
For general cleaning, use a small capful of concentrated cleaner diluted in a 16-ounce spray bottle of water. Adjust the ratio for tougher jobs or combine with baking soda for scrubbing.
- Countertops, stove and sinks: Mix 1 capful of cleaner with about 3 1/2 cups of water. Test on a small area before using on delicate surfaces.
- Toilet: Use half a capful of cleaner with 1/4 cup baking soda and scrub with a brush.
- Sink or toilet scrub recipe:
– 1 cup baking soda
– 1/4 cup concentrated cleaner
– 10 drops lemon essential oil
– 1 tsp vinegar
Mix and store in a sealed jar. - Shower: Use a refillable dish brush filled with water and a small amount of cleaner and dish soap. Scrub and rinse.
- Wood and tile floors: Combine 2 capfuls of cleaner with 1 gallon warm water. Mop with a damp (not soaking) mop and test a small area first.
- Fabrics and rugs: Diluted cleaner can be used on many fabrics; always patch test first.
A single plant-based cleaner can handle most household tasks when used appropriately.
Ditch harsh personal and travel products.
We used to carry chemical-laden hand sanitizers and heavily fragranced products. Many of those sanitizers can disrupt beneficial bacteria. Now we bring plant-based hand purifiers and small roller bottles with gentle blends of plant-based scents for on-the-go use.
Making your own roller blends with plant-based oils is simple and enjoyable, and they fit neatly in a bag or pocket for travel.
Remove toxic laundry products.
We avoid artificially scented dryer sheets and harsh detergents. Instead, use a plant-based detergent and reusable wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.
Clean skincare and makeup
Products we apply to skin deserve careful attention. We’ve replaced many conventional items with simpler, cleaner alternatives for skincare, toothpaste, lip care, and cosmetics. Going through drawers and cabinets and switching to gentler options has been rewarding.
A customizable monthly order box can make it easier to maintain the products you rely on. It’s a convenient way to build a routine of cleaner personal care and household items.
Scent your home without toxic chemicals.
Labels like “fragrance,” “parfum,” or even “natural” don’t always tell the full story. Essential oils sourced responsibly allow you to scent your home while avoiding many unknown additives. We use diffusers and occasional soy or beeswax candles with cotton wicks to minimize exposure to paraffin and synthetic fragrance.
Battery-operated candles provide ambience without combustion risks, and simple DIY room sprays made with essential oils are an easy alternative to chemical sprays.
Additional recommendations
What we eat and the food we bring into our homes matter greatly to overall health. Consider cleaning up both your pantry and your cleaning cabinet over time. I’ll share more product suggestions, DIY recipes, and practical tips in future posts.
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Ordering information
Many plant-based cleaning, personal care, cosmetics, and wellness products are available at wholesale pricing from reputable suppliers. Choosing trusted sources makes switching to cleaner products more affordable and sustainable.
Follow our wellness accounts for more ideas and DIY blends.