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Kayla Sawyer

Creating a Non-Toxic Home

Updated: Sep 19

A non-toxic home should be the goal, but honestly that can be hard to achieve for most people—including myself. So I strive for a low-toxic home. I avoid synthetic fragrances, dyes, bleach, and I’m currently weeding out my plastic food containers for glass. I eventually want to replace my non-stick cooking ware, and when we build our new house we will be adding a whole house water filtration system and air purifiers.

All of these changes are important to me because many of the toxins found in mainstream household cleaners and products are known to cause cancer, skin irritations, respiratory problems, weaken our immune system, or cause hormone imbalances.

Creating a non- or low-toxic home is a process, a journey, and it does not happen immediately or overnight. However, you can start by making small and easy just as I did and work your way up from there. I know it can be overwhelming, but I’m here to help make it easier for you.


Tips & Products for Reducing Toxins

One of the easiest places to start is your cleaning supplies. Many mainstream soaps and detergents contain sodium sulfates which have been proven to cause digestive issues, DNA damage, cancer, hormone disruption, and respiratory problems.


An all-purpose spray is so easy to make at home, all you need is a spray bottle and some vinegar! You can spice it up with some fruit peels or essential oils if you prefer, but they aren’t necessary.


DIY All Purpose Spray Recipe

  • 1 part water

  • 1 part vinegar

  • Optional: lemon or orange peels, rosemary sprigs, or a few drops of essential oil of choice


Combine in a glass spray bottle, and you’re ready to go.


This spray can be used on showers, tubs, counters, sinks, tiles, tables, windows, etc!

If you’re not into the idea of making your own spray, you can use this concentrate added to a spray bottle of water. This is actually what I use because my husband hates the smell of vinegar.


cleaning spray concentrate

Another easy-peasy way to reduce toxins is by tossing out all those candles and room sprays that contain synthetic fragrances! This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy making your home smell good. It just means you need to use natural ways to do so. You can diffuse essential oils, burn incense, or use a simmer pot.


Summer Simmer Pot Recipe

  • 6 orange slices (fresh or dried)

  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tbsp shredded coconut


Add ingredients to a pot of water, bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and enjoy the aroma!

When you’re done you can add the ingredients to your compost bin or dry them and use as potpourri.


simmer pot full of oranges

Our skin is our largest organ, which is why I highly recommend swapping out your mainstream laundry detergent for one with cleaner, more natural ingredients. Laundry detergent was an essential swap for me because I had babies and pets who needed better ingredients. Thankfully, Earthley delivered with their organic ingredients.

 

Here are some other important swaps, additions, or eliminations to considerate when creating a low-tox home:


❌ Eliminate

  • Synthetic Dyes: Numbered dyes such as red 40, yellow 6, blue 2, etc.

  • Wearing shoes in the house: Leave them at the door to prevent tracking in pesticides, herbicides, or unwanted germs. (There’s no saying if you stepped in raccoon pee before running back in to use the bathroom yourself!)

  • Mold: Use vinegar to kill the spores.


🔄 Swap

  • Plastic: Glass, Stainless Steel, or Wood

  • Non-Stick Cookware: Stainless Steel or Cast Iron

  • Polyester Clothes: Natural Fibers such as cotton, wool, or silk

  • Microwave: Toaster Oven


➕ Add

  • Air Purifier

  • Water Filters (we just use a Brita for now)

  • Houseplants (please use caution if you have pets)


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