Reducing Toxins in Your Home

A Safer, Cleaner Home Starts With Simple, Realistic Swaps

If you’ve ever wondered whether the products you use every day are truly safe for your family, you’re not alone. I used to assume that if something was sold in a store, it must be harmless. But as I began learning more about the ingredients in common household products, I realized how much influence our daily choices can have on the air we breathe, the surfaces we touch, and the little bodies growing up in our homes.

That realization didn’t lead me to throw everything away or aim for perfection. Instead, it led me to make small, realistic swaps—changes backed by science and supported by real-life experience.

What “Toxic Load” Really Means

“Toxic load” refers to the cumulative exposure we have to chemicals from multiple sources over time. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, largely due to household cleaners, fragrances, and building materials. Many conventional cleaning and personal care products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), synthetic fragrances, and preservatives that can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Research published in journals like Environmental Health Perspectives has shown that certain chemicals commonly found in household products—such as phthalates and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives—are associated with respiratory irritation, hormone disruption, and increased sensitivity in children.

The important thing to remember is this: it’s not about one product causing harm. It’s about repeated, everyday exposure adding up over time.

Why Small Swaps Matter

The encouraging news is that studies consistently show reducing exposure does make a difference. For example, research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences indicates that switching to fragrance-free or low-toxicity products can significantly reduce chemical levels in the body within days or weeks.

That means you don’t need to overhaul your entire home to see benefits. Simple changes—like choosing cleaners without synthetic fragrances or opting for plant-based formulas—can lower overall exposure in meaningful ways.

Some of the easiest, evidence-backed swaps include:

• Using fragrance-free or naturally scented cleaning products

• Switching to laundry detergents without dyes and optical brighteners

• Avoiding aerosol sprays, which increase inhalation exposure

• Choosing soaps and personal care products with shorter, transparent ingredient lists

These swaps don’t compromise cleanliness—they simply remove unnecessary chemicals from the equation.

Trusted Products, Not Guesswork

One of the biggest challenges is knowing what to trust. Marketing terms like “natural” or “green” aren’t regulated, which is why I rely on ingredient transparency, third-party testing, and organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) when researching products.

I only share products that meet three criteria:

1. Made with safer ingredients

2. Effective for real, everyday use

3. Reasonably accessible for families

My goal isn’t to create fear—it’s to reduce confusion and help you make informed choices with confidence.

Progress Over Perfection—Every Time

Science is clear that reducing exposure matters, but it’s also clear that stress and overwhelm don’t help anyone. This journey is about progress, not perfection. You don’t have to replace everything at once. In fact, research on habit formation shows that gradual changes are more likely to stick long term.

Start with what you use most often. Replace items as they run out. Celebrate the small wins.

A safer, cleaner home isn’t built overnight—it’s built through intentional choices made over time. By choosing better when we can, we reduce toxic load, improve indoor air quality, and create a healthier environment for the people we love most.

I’m excited to share simple swaps, trusted products, and fact-based guidance to help you do just that—one realistic step at a time.