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Reducing toxins in your home is simpler than you might think! With a few quick DIY recipes and thoughtful swaps, you can create a cleaner, greener living space.
From homemade cleaners to natural laundry solutions, toxin-free cookware, and safe floor care, these top 5 tips will help you make sustainable changes without overwhelming your routine.
While I do my best to choose sustainable, eco-friendly ingredients and reduce toxins, I’m not perfect, and that’s okay. Everyone approaches this differently, and doing what works for you is what really counts.
For me, it’s about making conscious choices to reduce the toxins in my home while understanding that achieving 100% toxin-free living just isn’t realistic.
In this post, I’ll share simple DIY recipes and easy swaps I use to make my home feel fresher and more natural.
From homemade cleaners and laundry products to safer cookware and food storage options, these are practical steps that anyone can try. It’s all about finding balance and making small changes that work for your lifestyle. Let’s jump in!
Making the Switch
Start by going through your home and noting the things you use on a daily basis. We often don’t realize just how many products we interact with, and statistics show that the average person is exposed to over 100 chemicals and toxins daily.
Think about the makeup you apply, the soap you use to wash your hands, the detergent you wash your clothes with, the dishes you eat from, and the cookware you cook with—the list really does go on!
What if you could swap all of these out for a more natural, eco-friendly option? What if I told you it could save you money, too?
I like to start with one item at a time, focusing on one small swap rather than trying to change everything at once. It helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed and makes the process feel much more manageable. It’s all about making gradual changes that fit your lifestyle, and every little step counts!
Is It Possible to Live Chemical-Free?
As I mentioned before, living completely chemical-free might be more of an ideal than a reality, but you can still make a huge difference by creating a safer home environment and improving the air quality around you.
The idea of overhauling your entire home with homemade products can feel overwhelming, but don’t stress! You don’t need to do everything at once. In fact, my best advice is to take it slow. Start with one small swap at a time and gradually check things off your list.
By making these changes step by step, you’ll keep the process stress-free and allow yourself time to adjust to your new routine!
5 Steps Towards a Natural Home
#1 House Cleaners
The first thing to tackle when it comes to toxic-free living is household cleaners. It should come as no surprise that these are the first to be overhauled. Most household cleaners contain a large list of ingredients and a fair share of warning labels on the bottles.
Making your own natural cleaning products is easier than you think, and they really work great. With just a few ingredients on hand, you can overhaul your entire cleaning cabinet.
Most of the time, I stick to my DIY all-purpose spray for almost all the cleaning in my home. It is so easy to make and works well on floors, countertops, vanities, and even mirrors.
My Favorite Natural Cleaning Recipes
- DIY Shower Scrub
- Homemade Foaming Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Homemade Toilet Cleaning Bombs
- DIY Beeswax Furniture Polish
- Homemade Window Cleaner
- Homemade Cleaning Wipes
#2 Homemade Laundry Products
You probably guessed that we would end up in the laundry room. A lot of chemicals are lurking in your detergents, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, and scent boosters.
Making your own laundry products is going to save you a ton of money and be a big step in creating a natural home. These products are tried and true, as I am a mama of 4 little kids with dogs, cats, bunnies, and chickens. To say we get dirty around here is an understatement.
I have been making my own laundry soap for close to 12 years and will never go back! Since then, I have experimented with powder and liquid laundry soap, homemade dryer sheets, and scent boosters.
Homemade Laundry Products
- DIY Liquid Laundry Soap
- Homemade Powder Laundry Soap
- DIY Laundry Scent Boosters
- DIY Dryer Sheets
- Homemade Fabric Softener
- DIY Laundry Soap Pods
#3 Kitchen Essentials
If you cook with non-stick cookware, this tip is for you! Not all non-stick cookware is bad; in fact, there are plenty of safe options to choose from. However, if your cookware is made with Teflon, you may want to consider replacing it.
Teflon is a synthetic chemical that coats many nonstick cookware items. When heated, it can start to break down, releasing chemicals into the air.
Cast iron is my go-to cookware, and I use it for nearly all of my cooking. It’s a classic kitchen must-have, in my opinion. It’s heavy-duty, naturally non-stick, and distributes heat evenly. This cast-iron skillet is my favorite choice for cooking and lasts essentially forever!
Another great option is stainless steel, which is also safe and versatile for everyday cooking.
Best Storage Options
I love using glass as much as possible when it comes to food storage. Glass is a much safer option than plastic, especially plastic that contains BPA. My favorite glass storage has locking lids that prevent spilling and helps to extend shelf life.
Using glass is especially important if you plan to heat up leftovers in the storage container.
#4 Floor Cleaners
Switching to homemade floor cleaners is a great way to reduce plastic waste and save money! Store-bought floor cleaners often come in plastic bottles with ingredients you might not even recognize.
By using just a few simple ingredients, you can create effective cleaners for every type of floor in your home. Whether you have hardwood, tile, or laminate, you’ll find that DIY floor cleaners are gentle yet powerful, without any of the harsh chemicals that can linger in store-bought versions.
The best part? These homemade cleaners cost pennies on the dollar compared to what you’d spend on commercial products, and you’ll be doing your part to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste. It’s a small change that adds up, and your floors will thank you for it!
My Favorite Floor Cleaners
- Homemade Grout Cleaner
- Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner
- DIY Carpet Cleaner
- How to Clean Ash and Soot Out of Carpet
- Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner
- How to Clean a Braided Rug
#5 Natural Body Care
I love making my own natural body care products because they’re so easy to customize to suit my needs. Whether it’s a gentle scrub, a soothing lotion, or a nourishing lip balm, I enjoy having full control over the ingredients.
The best part is that you can make small batches as needed, which is both cost-effective and eco-friendly. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about using products that I’ve crafted myself, knowing exactly what’s in them!
Natural Body Care DIYs
- Homemade Shampoo
- Homemade Conditioner
- Homemade Sugar Scrub
- DIY Lip Balm
- How to Make Natural Deodorant
- Homemade Shea Butter Lotion
- Homemade Nourishing Hair Serum
Key Takeaways
Starting with these 5 tips is a great place to begin your journey toward a cleaner, greener home. But the list doesn’t stop there! Remember to tackle one project at a time to keep things simple and stress-free.
As you work through one room, you’ll likely notice that many of these DIY recipes use similar ingredients, making it easier to gather what you need for the next one. Taking small steps, like using natural cleaners or choosing products without added fragrances, can create a more eco-friendly space.
I hope these tips inspire you to make simple, sustainable changes in your home!
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my article on cleaning with essential oils next!
