Eating clean isn’t the only part of a healthy lifestyle⏤our environment plays a big role, too. Living a clean (and safer) life is as easy as making some swaps, reading labels, and reducing our toxic load as best we can. There’s an overwhelming amount of safe, non-toxic formulas and techniques for your home, so we put together a list of some of our favorites to start.
Here are five home products to try swapping for clean alternatives:
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Plastic bottles. Plastic bottles can contain phthalates, a plastic softener linked to hormone disruption, as well as the notorious BPA. While many bottles now claim to be BPA-free, research shows that the replacements may also be toxic. Switch to glass, like this one, and don’t reuse one-time-use plastic bottles.
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Dryer sheets. It’s time to break up with your dryer sheets! Just like fabric softener, they contain ingredients, like phthalates and fragrance chemicals, which studies have shown disrupt your endocrine system and exacerbate asthma. Instead, make a one-time purchase of reusable wool dryer balls, like these, that’ll help with static and wrinkles. Plus⏤they’ll reduce dryer time, which saves energy.
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Candles. Instead of burning candles that are a combination of toxic ingredients, try diffusing essential oils in a diffuser⏤like these. Instead of spreading toxins in the air with candles, you’re diffusing natural ingredients that promote good health physically and mentally. Plus, the beauty of diffusing essential oils is that the possibilities are endless! Some of our favorite scents? Lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint.
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Body wash and soaps. Antibacterial soaps often contain triclosan—an ingredient that has been banned in many parts of the world and recognized as a potential hormone disruptor. Swap for a basic, oil-based soap, like this one. They actually nourish your skin, as opposed to stripping your skin like traditional soaps can do.
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Disinfecting wipes. Who doesn’t love a good cleaning wipe? They’re convenient, great for a quick clean, and perfect for on-the-go⏤but most wipes have multiple ingredients we want to avoid. Try swapping your disinfecting wipes with these, which are made 100% from plant starch.
Here are five home products to try swapping for clean alternatives: