Your home is your space – a place where your family should feel safe, happy, and healthy. But many of the products we use every day (without even thinking about it) can actually carry hidden toxins.
Over time, those small exposures can build up and lead to things like skin rashes, allergies, hormone issues, or even more serious health problems. You can take small, doable steps that actually make a big difference.
That’s where my 70/30% rule comes in. 70% of my house is non-toxic – meaning I’ve made intentional swaps in the areas that matter most. The other 30% I give myself some lenience.
In this article, I’m gonna walk you through it, one room at a time, one easy win at a time. You’ll learn what to prioritize, how to make smarter decisions, and why certain habits and products matter more than others.
1. Food Choices That Reduce Toxin Exposure
If your kitchen is anything like mine, it’s where life happens. The food, the messes, the little hands asking for snacks all day. So, naturally, when I shifted to non-toxic stuffs, it only made sense to begin here – where what we eat, drink, and cook touches our body every single day.
Skip the Store (Grow It, Preserve It, or Source It Local)
We do buy organic, but during the growing seasons, we focus on growing as much of our own food as we can. Then we preserve what we grow – canning, freezing – so it lasts us through the non-growing seasons, like winter and early spring. That way, we’re not relying on store-bought produce year-round.
When it comes to meat, we don’t buy organic chicken from the store. Instead, we go straight to our local farm – which, for us, happens to be family – and we buy chicken in bulk. We even help butcher the chickens ourselves, which gets us a little discount.
But more importantly, we know exactly how those chickens were raised and what they were fed.
If you have the opportunity to do something similar, I’d highly recommend it. Supporting local farmers (or your own family farm) gives you more control over the quality of your food and can save you money compared to buying organic meat from the store.
The Nutritional Advantage of Going Organic
Beyond the lower pesticide levels, organic produce also tends to be more nutritious.
I came across a study from Newcastle University that found organic fruits and veggies have about 60% more nutrients and lower levels of heavy metals compared to conventional ones.
So, not only am I cutting down on toxins, but I’m also giving my family better quality food!
Storage Choices Matter Too
Food safety doesn’t end when you leave the grocery store. It also matters how you store your food.
If you’re still using plastic containers, they might be leaching chemicals like BPA and phthalates, especially when heated or when used with acidic foods. I swapped out plastic for glass and stainless steel, and it was an easy change that made an impact in cutting down on exposure.
Making the Transition Manageable
I know it can feel overwhelming to try and change everything all at once (trust me, I didn’t). What I do practice is forgiveness – all the time.
As a mother, it’s so easy to beat yourself up, especially when you learn something new and realize you’ve been doing it differently this whole time. But you make choices as you learn. And as you learn more, you make better choices. That’s how this works.
Start with what your family eats the most. Those are simple wins that add up fast. From there, just keep going. Little by little, those small changes will add up, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling more in control of what goes into your body and your kitchen.
2. Safe Drinking Water for the Whole Family
Water is one of the most basic things we use every single day – for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing. And while it should be safe straight from the tap, the reality is… sometimes it’s not quite as clean as we’d hope.
Even if your tap water meets EPA standards, that doesn’t always mean it’s truly free from concern. Some contaminants – like lead, nitrates, arsenic, chlorine byproducts, and PFAS (those “forever chemicals” that stick around in the environment and our bodies) – can still be present in small amounts. And over time, those small amounts can add up.
There are simple ways to take control of your water quality at home. A good filter can go a long way. Whether it’s a countertop pitcher, an under-sink system, or a whole-house filter – even one intentional change can help reduce your family’s exposure.
Common Contaminants and Their Health Risks
Each of these contaminants comes with its own set of risks, and it hits close to home for me as a parent.
- Lead, for example, is especially dangerous for young kids, and there’s no safe level of exposure. It’s terrifying to think about how much it can impact their health.
- Nitrates, which are common in areas near farms, can actually mess with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and that’s especially risky for babies.
- Arsenic, which is a known carcinogen, and the PFAS chemicals – those are tied to all kinds of serious issues like hormone problems, immune system damage, and developmental delays.
Even chlorine, the stuff we think is just there to clean our water, can react with other substances in the water and form harmful byproducts. It really makes you rethink what’s in the water we use every day, right?
What You Can Do to Protect Your Household
Filtering our water has been one of the best decisions I’ve made to cut down on harmful substances. Having a good filter gives me peace of mind knowing I’m controlling what goes into my body (and my kids’) instead of just hoping it’s safe.
There are so many options out there, but after some research, I found gravity-fed systems like the Big Berkey and reverse osmosis systems work great at removing a lot of the tough stuff, like PFAS, heavy metals, and pesticides.
The right filter really depends on your water source and how much space you have, but it’s totally worth figuring out.
If you’re unsure about what’s in your tap water, you can get a water test or check your local water quality report online. Once you know what’s in your water, picking the best filter for your home becomes a whole lot easier.
3. Non-Toxic Personal Care Routine
It took me trial and error to find things that actually worked.
When I first switched deodorants, I used up the last of what I had, then tried to go natural.
My husband and I are pretty active (we work out daily), so we needed something that could actually hold up. We’ve finally landed on the Attitude deodorant – it’s EWG-approved and it works for both of us, no detox period needed. I don’t see us switching anytime soon.
Natural Moisturizers
We only use almond oil. Sometimes shea butter. That’s it. We use natural oils to moisturize. I buy everything organic: raw shea butter, organic almond oil, all in bulk from places like Azure to keep it affordable. For the kids, I make their creams and balms at home so I know exactly what goes into them.
I’m not afraid to spend more on the things that keep us healthy. I actually recommend it.
I’d rather pay for high-quality ingredients now than deal with medical bills later. I don’t promote staying cheap over staying healthy – I promote non-toxic over staying cheap. Health comes first.
Not everything in my routine is 100% natural – I do have a few products in that 30% category that aren’t fully non-toxic. And that’s okay. I give myself lenience here, especially with things that bring comfort or are hard to replace.
One Switch at a Time
Don’t sit down and try to overhaul everything all at once. Just live your life. When you reach for something, pause and ask – “Is there a better option for this?” If the answer is yes, switch it out when you’re ready. One small decision at a time.
How to Choose Safer Alternatives
One of the easiest ways to start cleaning up your routine is by checking your products with tools like the EWG Skin Deep database or using clean beauty apps that rate the safety of ingredients.
It’s a fun little project. Scan through what you’ve got and then plan to swap out items gradually as they run out. This approach makes it manageable and won’t break the bank by forcing you to toss everything out at once.
Exploring DIY Personal Care (If You’re Into It)
If you’re the creative type, there are plenty of simple recipes for non-toxic alternatives using natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils. I’ve tried my hand at making body butter and even a baking soda-based deodorant. It’s great to have full control over what touches your skin.
4. Bathroom: Detox Your Daily Routine
Even though the bathroom is often associated with hygiene and cleanliness, it can also be a space full of hidden toxins.
I use Clorox in the toilet like once a week – I have really hard water where we live. I find that if I don’t do a deep clean there, it smells so bad still while using natural ingredients. It does not do it.
I have little kids, so I feel more comfortable knowing that that tub or toilet is at least clean. They shouldn’t be putting their hands in there – my kids should not be in the toilet bowl – but there has been an occasion where he was, and so I feel better about knowing that it’s a clean toilet bowl.
This Is One of My 30% Leniency Areas
Yes, I did use Clorox, and that is one of my exceptions. Natural has not worked for me, so it’s part of my 30% leniency. I don’t use it anywhere else in the house. But I do keep it on hand for spots that truly need to be clean. Some people can go fully natural. That’s great. But for me, the toilet bowl needs to be clean.
Reconsider Your Shower Curtain
Let’s talk about shower curtains for a sec. If you’ve got a vinyl one, I recommend switching it out. Those things release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and phthalates into the air, especially in the warmth of the shower.
I switched to a fabric curtain made from cotton, and I feel so much better about it. No weird chemical smells when I get out of the shower.
Better Choices for Soaps and Scents
When it comes to soaps, I stick with simple, nourishing ingredients – usually castile soap or options made with organic oils. They clean well without disrupting my skin or hormones. And for fragrance, I’ve learned to look for fragrance-free rather than unscented. Unscented products can still contain masking agents, which can be just as irritating.
Healthier Options for Feminine Care
For feminine hygiene products, switch to organic cotton pads and tampons. Regular ones often have bleached cotton and added fragrances, which aren’t the best.
For a more sustainable option, reusable menstrual cups or washable pads are a thoughtful choice. They reduce waste and exposure to synthetics while being gentler on both your body and the planet.
5. Bedroom: Sleep Without Toxins
We spend nearly a third of our lives in bed – so creating a healthy sleep environment is worth the intention. A clean, non-toxic bedroom supports deeper rest and overall well-being, especially when we consider what we’re breathing in night after night.
Many conventional mattresses are made with synthetic foams and treated with chemical flame retardants. Over time, these materials can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may interfere with both sleep quality and long-term health.
A natural mattress pad (made from organic cotton or wool) is a simple, meaningful upgrade. And if you’re able, switching to a non-toxic mattress is a wise long-term investment.
For bedding, I’ve moved toward materials like organic cotton, linen, and bamboo. These fabrics are free from formaldehyde-based finishes often used in conventional sheets and tend to be gentler on sensitive skin.
6. Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally
It might seem like air pollution is something that only happens outdoors, but indoor air can actually be way more polluted. Poor ventilation, synthetic materials, and daily habits can contribute to this.
So, improving indoor air quality is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your exposure to toxins.
Ventilate Daily
- Open windows for 15–30 minutes a day
- Use fans in the kitchen and bathroom
- Let fresh air circulate regularly
Leave Shoes at the Door
- Prevent pesticides, bacteria, and lead dust from coming in
- Especially important for homes with kids or pets
- Simple habit, big difference
Skip Artificial Scents
- Avoid air fresheners, plugins, and scented sprays
- Many release VOCs and harmful chemicals
- Try essential oil diffusers or beeswax candles
- Simmer herbs and spices for natural fragrance
Keep Dust Under Control
- Dust and vacuum regularly (use a HEPA filter)
- Declutter to reduce surfaces where dust collects
- Wipe surfaces weekly, especially in high-traffic areas
Add Air-Purifying Plants
- Spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies work well
- Help reduce formaldehyde and benzene
- Natural complement to other air quality habits
7. Electronic Use, Lighting, and Others
Some of the most overlooked aspects are right under our noses like our electronics, lighting, and even the way we reheat leftovers.
If you often use screens in the evening, you might be exposing yourself to blue light, which messes with melatonin production and can mess up your sleep.
Cutting back on screen time at least an hour before bed or using blue-light filters on your devices helps improve your sleep. It works even better when you’ve already made your bedroom a more peaceful, toxin-free space.
Be Mindful of Mold Risks
Mold can be a sneaky culprit, especially if you live in a humid area (hard water issues!) or have experienced leaks in your home. It releases spores and mycotoxins into the air, which can mess with your respiratory health and cause fatigue or allergies.
I make it a point to check high-moisture areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and basement for signs of mold, and I clean them regularly to prevent buildup. If there’s any leaking or persistent dampness, I address it ASAP.
It’s one of those things you don’t want to ignore, but a little regular maintenance can keep mold from becoming a bigger problem.
How to Start Without Getting Overwhelmed
The best way to start is to focus on simple swaps that actually matter. Here’s what helped me ease into a non-toxic lifestyle without stressing out or overspending:
- Start with food, water, personal care, and cleaning products
- Focus on daily-use items for the biggest impact
- Wait until something runs out before replacing it
- Swap in safer alternatives one at a time
- Avoid waste and stay on budget
- Use the EWG Skin Deep database to check products
- Try apps like Think Dirty for quick info
- Don’t try to memorize ingredients – let tools help
- Swap plastic containers for glass
- Choose cleaner skincare options
- Replace toxic cleaners gradually
Swap Smart!
Just start small, focus on what matters most, and take it one step at a time.
Whether it’s switching to glass containers, using a blue light filter before bed, or using low-VOC paint, each change is a step in the right direction. And before you know it, these new habits will start to feel natural. So, start small, swap smart, and keep going.
You’re doing great!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I get these questions a lot, and I had them too when I was starting out. Here are a few quick answers to help you along.
1. What are the biggest sources of toxins in a typical home?
Some of the biggest ones are produce with a lot of pesticides, tap water that’s not filtered, personal care items with synthetic ingredients, regular cleaning products, plastic containers, and air fresheners. These add up over time, but they’re easy to switch out little by little.
2. Is it necessary to buy everything organic?
Nope! Just focus on buying organic for foods on the Dirty Dozen list. These fruits and veggies usually have the most pesticide residue. For the Clean Fifteen list, buying regular (non-organic) is usually okay.
3. How do I know if a product is toxic or safe?
You can check apps like EWG’s Skin Deep or Think Dirty to look up ingredients. Also look for labels like USDA Organic, MADE SAFE, or EWG Verified. Try to avoid products that just say “fragrance” without listing what’s in it.
4. Can I live non-toxic without spending a lot of money?
Yes, for sure. You don’t have to replace everything right away. Just swap things out one at a time as you run out. A lot of helpful changes (like using vinegar to clean or opening windows daily) are cheap or even free.
