Hey there, friend!
If you’re anything like me, you want your home to be a safe and nurturing space for your family—a place where everyone can thrive. My journey to creating a healthier home began eight years ago during my sophomore year of college.
Back then, I bought a small kit of essential oils and little did I know that tiny step would lead to a total lifestyle change. It wasn’t an overnight shift—it happened slowly, one swap at a time, as I started doing my own research about the safety of everything around us.
This journey became even more meaningful to me after walking through a miscarriage and becoming a mom to two littles. Once you know, you know—and there’s no turning back. 😉 Today, I want to share a few simple changes that can help you get started on your healthier home journey.
1. Swap Out Cleaning Products
One of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make is switching out your conventional cleaning products. Many of these are filled with harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin, lungs, and even disrupt hormones. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the smell of a freshly bleached bathroom, but choosing a nontoxic alternative is so worth it.
There’s so many great nontoxic all-purpose cleaners out there! Personally, we love Thieves Cleaner. It’s plant-based, smells amazing, works beautifully, and is safe to use around little ones and pets. You only need one capful of concentrate to an entire spray bottle of water, so one bottle of concentrate lasts us months at a time! We use it for everything—cleaning windows, mopping floors, and wiping down surfaces. Having a single cleaner that’s effective and non-toxic has been a game-changer! I have friends who love the Truly Free brand, as well. You can make your own all-purpose cleaner using vinegar, water, and essential oils!
2. Ditch Plastic Food Storage
Plastic food containers may be convenient, but they can leach harmful chemicals into your food, especially when heated. (Not to mention they stain so easily. 😂) Switching to glass storage containers is an easy & affordable way to make a healthier choice for your kitchen.
We made this change a few years ago, and it’s been such a simple upgrade with a big payoff. Not only is glass safer, but it’s also more durable, dishwasher safe, and looks so much nicer in the fridge! Costco has an 18-piece set of Pyrex glass containers for $25 right now!
3. Toss Traditional Fragrance Candles
I get it—nothing beats the cozy glow and scent of a candle burning in the evening. But here’s the truth- most traditional candles contain synthetic fragrances, paraffin wax, and other toxins that release harmful pollutants into the air.
Now, we mainly use diffusers and essential oils to fill our home with cozy scents. My journey with essential oils started with a small kit, and now we use diffusers in every room, every day. My stash has grown so much over the years that I have an oil for just about everything!
If you love the glow of a candle, I recommend beeswax or soy-based alternatives like Antique Candle Co. for a safer option. I do still love lighting a candle from time to time! Nothing beats that cozy flicker. ✨
4. Swap Laundry Detergent
For years, I was loyal to Tide—I loved the clean scent and the way it left our clothes feeling fresh. But as I learned more about the chemicals in conventional detergents, I knew it was time for a change. Seriously you guys, it took me up until just this last year to break up with Tide.
After my friend & sister said they tried Truly Free and liked it, I decided that I would give it a shot! It smells just like Tide (no seriously, it actually smells amazing) but without the toxic ingredients. We’ve since added several other Truly Free products to our laundry routine, and it’s super affordable!
Ditching dryer sheets for wool dryer balls is another simple & affordable swap. If you love the fresh scent of dryer sheets, I cannot recommend the Truly Free dryer angel enough! You won’t even miss your Downy unstoppables, I promise! 😚
5. Replace Cookware with Safer Options
One of the bigger swaps we made in the last few years was switching to nontoxic cookware. Many traditional pans are coated with Teflon or other non-stick chemicals that can break down and release toxins into food—especially when scratched or overheated. That was enough to convince us to make the switch to a safer alternative. Brett was actually the first one to make the suggestion of switching out our cookware after listening to the risks on a podcast! Some safer alternatives are stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic-coated cookware.
For Christmas in 2023, we gifted ourselves a set of ceramic-coated cookware from Caraway, and we LOVE them! We snagged them during their Black Friday sale, and not only are they non-toxic, but they’re also gorgeous and have held up so well with our induction cooktop. They seriously still look brand new!
Final Thoughts: Start Small & Give Yourself Grace
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. The goal isn’t to overhaul your entire home in a day—it’s about making small, intentional swaps that fit your budget, your season, and your needs.
Start with one swap that feels doable for you, and build from there. Little changes over time add up in big ways, and each change makes a difference for your health & your home. I’m eight years into this journey, and there’s still so many changes we hope to make as time goes on. Remember—this journey isn’t about being perfect, it’s about doing the best you can with what you have. 💛
What swaps have you made in your home? Is there one you’re thinking about starting with? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you! 🫶🏼✨
Warmly,
Lauren
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