"Clean Living" Made Simple: 16 REALISTIC Hacks For Reducing Toxins🌱

what you actually need to focus on (...and what you don't 😉)

Nov 28, 2024

If you’re here reading this, I’d wager that there’s at least some level of intersection between your algorithm and mine…

Which makes it safe to say that you have probably heard endless messages about toxins, endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, or unnecessary chemicals in our everyday products.

Whether it’s household cleaners or the foods we eat or the skincare we use, there’s a lot of noise out there about “clean products” and it is… overwhelming.

Like, SHOULD I be concerned about what’s in my products? Or not??? And if I should be, where on earth do I even start?!

^^ All totally valid questions.

Because it seems like either people don’t care about it at all and act like there are zero health consequences the ingredients in our products (which is simply.. untrue), or that people are overly zealous and make it seem like EVERY single thing in your life must be nontoxic in order to be healthy (again, untrue).

As always, I want to cut through the noise and I want to offer a *secret third option*— utilizing common sense 🤣✌️
AKA, a method to reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals without getting obsessive or losing your mind. Let’s jump in!

So, today, I am breaking it down and offering a step-by-step guide to swapping to nontoxic products— listed in order of importance and ease!

If I was starting from scratch, this is exactly how I’d do it…

First off, does this even matter?!

And while I am not a fear monger-er who thinks EVERY chemical is dangerous (because, well…they aren’t), there is validity to being concerned about some of the ingredients in our products when it comes to our health.

Here’s why—

The EPA has only evaluated 200 of the 83,000 chemicals Americans use, leaving many untested and potentially unsafe. (Wilson & Schwarzman, 2009)
While many countries ban chemicals like formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, and triclosan, these remain legal (and abundant!) in U.S. personal care products. (Faber, 2019)
Hazardous chemicals in our products can be inhaled, ingested, absorbed topically, and could also pass through the placenta or breast milk (Chan, Chalupka, & Barrett, 2015).

And, cue the people saying— that’s why we have livers! While yes our body does have natural detoxification systems, we have never thrown this much at them before from an environmental toxin exposure.

So, it's about finding a balance—recognizing that not all chemicals are bad, but also choosing to limit unnecessary exposures where you can.

In fact, switching to nontoxic products can make a difference-- and quickly!

I came across a study that showed that after only three days of using products without some common chemicals (phthalates, parabens, and triclosan), there was a significant reduction (between 27.4% and 44%, depending on the substance) in those chemicals being found in the body (Harley et al., 2016).

The fact that these chemicals drastically decreased within the body within only days (!) simply from reducing the exposure to them? So cool, and SO empowering.

Going back to the 'well, that's what our liver is for!' conversation—this study shows that, yes, our body can detoxify quickly. However, we are often applying them day-after-day so they are continually introduced to the body like a constant stream, if that makes sense?

So, by breaking that cycle, and intentionally reducing our contact and use of toxic products will allow the body to flush them out pretty effectively.

And here’s how I would do it—

HOW to switch to “nontoxic products”

It’s important to note there is not one “right” way to switch over to clean products.

Some people opt for a random day you just toss out every product in your house and then instantly replace it with a clean alternative.

Personally, I took a slow-and-steady (yet committed!) approach.

Once I learned about all the chemicals and endocrine disruptors in my products my eyes were opened, but I didn’t panic.

When something would run out (laundry detergent, face wash, etc.) I’d simply replace it with a clean, better-for-me version. That’s it. That’s the system.
I didn’t throw out things I already owned simply because that felt wasteful, expensive, and unnecessary to me?

So, for me, slow ‘n’ steady felt most natural. Maybe for you prefer to grab the bull by the horns. But regardless of what pace you approach this with, there is one rule—

You do NOT need to do everything on this list all at once.

Heck, you don’t even need to do all of them! Simply choose the 3-5 that MOST call to you and focus there. [insert cliche “Rome wasn’t built in a day!” here]

But little-by-little I’ve replaced things with a better-for-me alternative, and over the past six years I’ve created a fantastic lineup (if I say so myself…💅🏻) of household cleaners, home items, shampoos, skincare, kids products, everything for a cleaner alternative. And today we’re gonna talk about it. ⬇️

Under each “step” of reducing your toxins, I provided a tangible example of brands that I personally use & trust.

Quick note—

Nothing included on this list is sponsored! I genuinely use & love all the products included— girl scout honor. That said, I will also be including affiliate links and coupons to shop if you so choose. As always, no pressure to shop my links, but grateful if you do!

Part of the reason I wanted to write this post this week was to provide concrete options to upgrade your health while many of them are on sale ;) Enjoy!

Alright, let’s jump in ◡̈

The first thing I’d do is upgrade my laundry detergent and setup, and here's why — it builds momentum.

First off— from a health perspective— laundry and the chemicals in it (Formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, and Benzyl acetate, oh my!) may impact more than you might think. It’s not just on your clothes; it’s in the air from your dryer vents and in constant contact with your skin. This is a quick, easy change that can make a big impact on your health, especially over time.

But mainly, I chose this first— because this is an easy swap. This gets the ball rollin’ on your switch to less toxic products!

Additionally, it will also show you that switching to clean products can be relatively pain-free! A nontoxic products doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing effectiveness. ✌️

From laundry & beyond, when you find a quality, clean-ingredient brand, it can work just as well as your old, toxic product— it’s simply better for your health in the process— and I feel like this laundry swap demonstrates that!

KATE’S REC: Truly Free Detergent (this link gives you 100 free loads!) & Wool Dryer Balls (bonus tip: add a few drops of essential oil to the dryer balls for a nontoxic “scent boost!”)

This one is sooooo important! It’s in the air you breathe, it exposes your kids and your pets, it’s… everywhere.

From candles to frebreeze to air fresheners, the ingredients in traditional ones are wild 😅 From petroleum distillates, p-dichlorobenzene and aerosol propellants— these chemicals have been linked with cancer and brain damage, and be irritating to eyes, skin, and throat.

The good news is there are a ton of nontoxic options — your house doesn’t have to smell bad just because you want to be healthier!

KATE’S RECS: Grow Fragrance, these room sprays (coupon: KATE10), quality essential oils that are GC/MS batch tested for purity, or nontoxic candles (coupon: KATE10), etc.

Unfortunately, home products are another largely unregulated industry— from diethanolamine (DEA) to perchloroethylene, and ammonium hydroxide, many of these hormone disruptors, chemicals, airway irritants, and carcinogens are in the cleaning products you’re using in your home every day.

But even though it’s really important, this one felt so overwhelming to me because it was like “I have a windex, I have a dusting oil, I have all these different things” and it felt like a huge hurdle to swap ALL of them 🫠

So, I just… didn’t.

But, then, 5ish years ago, I found Branch Basics. This is ONE kit that replaces essentially all the cleaners in your house in one swoop, which made it so darn easy. They work great, they are super cost-effective, and I’ve never looked back!

KATE’S REC: Branch Basics (Coupon: KATE15)

Alright, this one can have a massive impact— switching to organic, quality, simple ingredient food.

While this could be a full post in itself, I’ll try to keep it brief.

But it’s just hard not to rant, especially when you consider the layers of nuance and systemic issues surrounding food access.
For example, asking a single mom working a minimum-wage job and living in a food desert to buy 100% organic, free-range, non-GMO food isn’t just not realistic. It’s… insulting. There are countless systemic factors—like the affordability and availability of healthy options —that we absolutely need to address as a society!!!!

*takes deep breath & steps off soapbox*

But, for those of us who can prioritize some healthier swaps in our diet, I definitely recommend seeking out simple-ingredient, nutrient-dense whole foods, and organic when possible.

What do I mean by simple ingredients? It doesn’t mean you have to suddenly become Betty Crocker and cook everything by hand.

Here’s an example of granola bars—

To start switching to more “whole food” diet, I would simply start by focusing on foods with short, recognizable ingredient lists. For instance, when comparing granola bars, you may find that one has simple whole food components while the other lists 390824 ingredients, many of which are unpronounceable. 😅 Now, I’m not saying EVERY chemical is bad—because, they’re not!— but on an intuitive level, I think we can agree that one of the options above feels better for our health...

Intuition aside, the science agrees! This very thorough systematic review found that diets high in ultra-processed foods were linked to 32 out of the 45 health conditions studied—that’s 71%. These risks included heart disease, anxiety, depression, Type 2 diabetes, and even cancer… yikes. The good news? Swapping to simpler, whole-food options where you can is a powerful step toward better health.

Now let’s talk pesticides. Did you know 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually… in the U.S. alone? 😬 Their health effects can vary: some are relatively harmless while others can disrupt the nervous system, act as carcinogens, or mess with your hormones by interfering with the endocrine system. The good news? Organic farming helps to avoid these harmful chemicals— which, in turn, reduces your exposure.

But, the bummer? These foods are often a bit more expensive 🙃

While it’s not fun, I try to view it as an investment in my health and really believe that it is worth it long-term, even if it does cost a little more in the now.

That said, I know groceries are already expensive so just do the best you can— choose what feels reasonable for your budget and lifestyle, and don’t stress about the rest. Every small step counts!

Kate’s Picks: This random website helps you identify a local farm near you to buy quality, organic produce, and Thrive Market really is an incredible resource for getting high-quality healthy foods muuuch more affordably— and it ships right to your door! Their foods are already discounted, but this refer-a-friend link gives you an extra 40% off (yes, forty!). I genuinely love it.

Okay, after a huge topic like food, we are refreshing our spirits with another EASY swap to build momentum & keep the nontoxic swaps rolllllin’!

I actually wrote about this topic last year, but cutting board can be one of the greatest sources of microplastics in your home.

In fact, a recent study that showed that use of a plastic cutting board was a “substantial source of microplastics in human food” and could expose a person to 14 million to 80 million microplastics per year, depending on use of the cutting board. Awesome!

(….for context, that is equivalent to unknowingly consuming a few CREDIT CARDS worth of plastic per year solely from cutting food on a plastic cutting board.🫠)

So, simply put, this is an EASY swap and I would recommend switching to wood or glass with that! I don’t have any strong recommendation here, but just any quality wood or glass option that’s in your budget ◡̈

Just being a selfless mother over here and I’m always putting my kids before myself (!!!!!).

But for real, this does deserve a higher place on the list than your own products simply because kids have smaller frames and body mass, so the amount of toxins is more concentrated within their bodies, if that makes sense.

I do think using nontoxic products for kids—diaper rash creams, baby oils, soaps, organic fabrics when possible, glass bottles, etc.—can make a big difference. But don’t stress about being perfect! Just do the best you can ◡̈

KATE’S RECS: This nontoxic baby skincare set (KATE10) Babo Botanicals Shampoo, Glass Bottles

While I think all personal care products deserve attention eventually, I prioritize swapping out your lotion as it sits on your skin all day and because you often apply it to such a large surface area!

This means that all the parabens, methylisothiazolinone, and artificial fragrances is just… sitting there, gradually being absorbed into your body.

I personally switched to body oils instead of lotions most of the time (often these are easier to find less toxic and they give my skin such an amazing glow!). I shared two of my favorites below.

That said, I also wanted to share a 'body butter' that functions more like your typical lotion— just with clean ingredients & extra richness and hydration. I love this stuff. You’ll see what I mean when you try it!

KATE’S RECS: Jojoba oil ($), body butter ($$), blue tansy oil ($$$)

Similar to body lotions, deodorant sits on your skin all day, PLUS it’s located near a ton of lymph nodes and your breast tissue.

To be honest, store bought deodorants are kinda crazy with the ingredients they have— aluminum, tricolsan, parabens, oh my!

That said, deodorant is probably going to be the most painful swap you make at first (it took me like three weeks of smelling like $h!t while my body detoxed, haha 🤪).

But once I transitioned it was no sweat — literally!

KATE’S REC: my favorite natural deodorant (KATE10)

Okay, this one is the most FUN swap.

Because, tbh, my nontoxic products work better than my toxic skincare ever did. Switching to nourishing, pure ingredient skincare changed the game for me. (You can find my whole guide to holistic skincare here!)

the non-BS guide to holistic skincare 🌱

Kate Eskuri, DNP

August 7, 2024

Read full story

Again, this is an important swap as it sits on your skin all day (and often all night!) and there are so many crazy chemicals, parabens, phthalates, and fragrances in modern skincare. Going for a clean option is such a high impact way to reduce your toxic burden.

KATE’S RECS: Primally Pure (my personal favorite, KATE10) or Cocokind (I like PP more, but this is another solid, more affordable option!)

Okay, honestly, I contemplated ranking this one higher as I think it is very important, but it can feel overwhelming to swap because it’s such a BIG thing… so down the list it went!

So, here’s the deal— I do recommend swapping out your plastic plates, cups, bowls, baby bottles, etc. to glass, ceramic, stainless steels, etc. over time.

(This is especially critical since you often are heating these items up in the microwave or oven as heat can increases microplastics leeching into your food. Yikes.)

This is definitely one that I would take slow! No need to throw out your entire kitchen in one day ◡̈ But I do recommend swapping it eventually.

Just think about it, your dishware is something you use every day— multiple times per day!— and you are EATING off of it, bringing each bite of food in contact with it, heating it up, scratching it with forks, knives, etc., and subtly ingesting the microparticles and leeching chemicals found within it— whether you realize it or not!

So I definitely recommend making the swap! But, again, feel free to do this over time! That’s what I did ◡̈ No strong recs, but just pretty much any glass, ceramic, or stainless steel option you can find within your budget!

This is an important one, but I put it lower on the list because it can feel a little overwhelming and quite spendy.

You’d like to believe that the water coming out of your tap would be clean and safe… but a lot of the time, it’s not 😅. You can actually check out the EWG’s Tap Water Database to see the toxins in your area’s water. (Spoiler: it’s eye-opening!)

And you’d also hope that something like a Britta would actually filter out these contaminants, but honestly… it doesn’t. 😅

For us, quality water was a priority, so we installed an under-the-sink water filter. It’s a little bulky and installing it was annoying (yet doable!), but the difference is worth it. The water tastes amazing, and knowing it’s mostly free of unnecessary chemicals and contaminants is such peace of mind. Plus, it’s so convenient having clean water straight from the spout— no more constantly refilling a jug!

That said, there are many countertop options that filter your water without any installation— but just make sure you look for a reverse-osmosis option!

Another water-related swap I love is the Jolie showerhead. Yes, it’s shared by influencers all over social media, but I genuinely love it. It basically filters out contaminants right at the showerhead, and changing the filter is sooo easy. BONUS: it’s made my hair feel so much softer 🤣

KATE’S RECS: Reverse-osmosis water filter and Jolie shower head

Most traditional makeup are jam-packed with different toxins, endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens— methylene glycol, PFAS, parabens, phthalates, to name a few.

And, again, makeup sits on your skin for hours at a time, slowly being absorbed— so this is an amazing, worthwhile swap.

But, again, don’t feel the need to throw out you entire makeup bag at once! Just slowly replace items with a better-for-you option as you run out of them.

KATE’S RECS: well people (very clean ingredients and works quite well! I have quite a few of their products, and genuinely enjoy ◡̈ ) or ILIA (the ingredients aren’t quite as clean as Well People, but still much better than traditional makeup — and I like how it performs more!)

Again, is this a necessity? No.
But is it likely a wise investment in your health? Yes.

We cook with these pots and pans every day, and over time, ingredients can subtly leach into our food. Nonstick cookware, in particular, is often coated with PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," which can persist in the environment and, well, our bodies.

But even with these health concerns, the reason that it’s lower on the list? It can get pricey! 😅 By the time you invest in higher-quality frying pans, pots, baking sheets, and the like, the costs can really add up.

So, my personal approach? When one of my pots or pans needs replacing, I swap it out for a better option. Yes, I still have a few low-quality, toxic ones in my rotation (gasp!), but that’s okay — I’m doing my best, and that’s what matters. I trust that over time I will eventually have a set of notnoxic, quality pots & pans, but I’m not in a rush.

KATE’S REC: Also, let me de-influence you for a second. While there are lots of nontoxic cookware brands might be all over your feed, I wouldn’t spend my money there. Many are just ceramic-coated (not solid ceramic). Instead, I’d skip the hype and stick to the classics: cast iron, stainless steel, or glass. They’re timeless for a reason!

When it comes to menstrual products, it’s easy to overlook.

But here's the thing—conventional tampons and pads can often contain pesticides, bleach, and synthetic materials that might be harmful to your body over time. The cotton used in many conventional menstrual products is sprayed with pesticides like glyphosate, which is an herbicide linked to cancer.

Since the skin in your intimate areas is more absorbent than other parts of your body, this is an extremely worthwhile switch!

KATE’S PICKS: organic tampons, organic pads, or a medical-grade silicone menstrual cup

I put this lower on the list because while I think it’s important, at the end of the day they don't sit on your skin as opposed to a lotion or deodorant. You just use it and rinse them out.

That said, I have swapped this out for a better-for-me option as I didn’t have a strong allegiance to a specific shampoo.

But, let’s be real, most nontoxic shampoos… suck.

So, if you’re looking for a nontoxic recommendation that is actually pretty solid, below I am sharing by far my favorite shampoo and conditioner I’ve used with nontoxic ingredients that actually lathers up pretty well compared to most nontoxic shampoos!

KATE’S REC: Shampoo & conditioner (this is the one I really like, but it’s more kind of spendy!), body wash (KATE10)

In addition to the above list, there are countless other ways to decrease your toxic load.

Like not grabbing receipts (they’re packed with BPA), switching from bagged tea to loose leaf (reduce microplastics!), getting an air purifier (I want one soo bad, but, gosh, they are spendy!), swapping to nontoxic mattress, switching to organic clothing…AND ON AND ON AND ON.

…Is anyone else exhausted?🤪🤪🤪

While these swaps are awesome and valid in their own right, they’re not mandatory. I do what I can, but I don’t stress about perfection.

Because, here’s the thing—

Quite literally no one is ever going to be perfectly ~nOnToXiC~.

…and you don’t need to be ;)

No one has to be “all in” to benefit from these swaps. The small changes like switching your facewash or opting for nontoxic laundry detergent or choosing organic when possible DOES make a positive ripple in your wellbeing— without needing to overhaul everything.

Because here’s the thing: life is meant to be lived.
Obsessing over every single toxin? That’s not healthy either. ;)

So, just do what you can!
…And surrender the rest.

Because, ultimately, I wanted this post to feel empowering and peaceful.

A reminder that you do have agency to reduce your exposure to toxins.
But also provide relief that you don’t have to everything in order to benefit your wellbeing.

Because, as with all things health— you don’t need to aim for perfection in order to make progress. ✌️

How to move forward…

So, my friend, take a deep breath.

You don’t need to do everything on this list— instead, prioritize 3ish swaps that most called to you and realistically fit into your life right now.

Just, start.

Even if you do it gradually.
Even if it’s “only” a few swaps.
Even if you don’t do it perfectly.

Small. Changes. Add. Up.

Never forget that ;)

Alright, my friend. That’s a wrap!

But I’ve gotta know— have you started making healthy/nontoxic swaps in your life? What was most overwhelming? Where did you begin? And what’s next? Drop a comment — I’d love to hear your experience!