a North Dakotan girl through and through, wife, mother and die hard Catholic.

Simple & Sweet Swaps for a Toxin-Free Life!

There’s something sacred about the home—it’s where we gather, where we love, and where we rest. And as we become more mindful about the things that matter most—our health, our children, our peace—it only makes sense to extend that same care into the spaces we live in every day. I slowly started my journey in 2017 inspired first by sustainable living so it was using more eco friendly ways to live when I moved for college that naturally lead to my journey to low toxic living!

If you’re just beginning to explore a non-toxic lifestyle, let me start by saying: welcome. This is a gentle place to begin. No pressure for perfection—just simple, loving steps toward a cleaner, safer, and more peaceful home.

Here are some of my favorite beginner-friendly, tried-and-true swaps to create a non-toxic haven. These small changes can make a big impact over time:

1. Cleaning Up Your Cleaning Supplies

Most conventional cleaners are loaded with synthetic fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin, lungs, and even disrupt hormones.

• Surface cleaners → Try a homemade blend of vinegar, water, and a few drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil. Branch Basics, Truly Free or Molly Suds have good options for this.
• All-purpose cleaner → DIY options work beautifully and smell heavenly.
• Dryer sheets → Swap them for wool dryer balls. They soften clothes naturally—no toxins required.
• Detergent → Look for fragrance-free, plant-based options like Molly’s Suds, Truly Free or Branch Basics.
• Bleach → Brighten whites with a mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and lemon juice. Branch Basics, Truly free, etc have great brightener options as well!
• Air fresheners → Instead, simmer citrus peels and herbs on the stove or use 100% beeswax with cotton wicks or open your windows daily for about 10-15 minutes, yes even in the winter.

2. Kitchen Care & Cookware

We cook with love—so let’s make sure our tools are just as nourishing.

• Non-stick cookware → Transition to stainless steel or cast iron. Teflon can release toxic fumes, especially when overheated.
• Plastic storage containers → Choose glass or stainless steel to avoid plastic leaching.
• Plastic or aluminum coffee makers → Switch to a glass Chemex or French press for a cleaner, non plastic espresso maker(message me and I’ll send you the link to ours), toxin-free brew.
• Plastic utensils → Opt for bamboo or stainless steel instead.

3. Personal Care, Simplified

Our skin is our largest organ—it absorbs much of what we put on it. Start small and swap as you go.

• Antiperspirant → Try aluminum-free deodorant (baking soda-free if your skin is sensitive). Primarily Pure has been my favorite since 2017/2018.
• Toothpaste → Look for fluoride-free, remineralizing options with hydroxyapatite or xylitol. Risewell is one our family loves!
• Synthetic perfume → Essential oil blends are natural, soft, and safe. Dime beauty is also a better option for this.
• Shampoo & conditioner → Choose sulfate- and paraben-free brands for a gentle clean. Carina Organics has been my tride and true (tip for any shampoo but from one gal to another always double shampoo…game changer).
• Hand soap → Castile-based or naturally foaming soaps are perfect alternatives. Truly Free, Branch Basics and Primarily Pure have good options.
• Chemical sunscreens → Tallow based, Mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (Especially reef-safe and safe for kids.) Primarily Pure, Eminence, Rowe Casa and Crunchi have great options for this!
• DEET sprays → Essential oil-based repellents (like citronella, eucalyptus, or lemongrass)
  

4. Non-Toxic Living for the Little Ones

When it comes to babies and children, even the smallest changes make a big difference.

• Plastic toys → Wooden or silicone toys are safer and more durable.
• Conventional wipes + Diapers → What to looks for: Unbleached pulp, Totally chlorine free (TCF), Minimal or no colorants, Oeko-Tex certified, Organic materials, Organic cotton cloth diapers
• What to avoid: Phthalates, Sodium polyacrylate, Bleached fibers, Toxic glues, Wetness indicators (can contain 1,4 dioxane), Fragrance/parfum, Chlorine, Alcohol, Polyethylene glycols (PEG), Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET)
• Baby lotion → Tallow, Use unscented natural oils like coconut moisture without chemicals.

5. Feminine/Personal Care

Our bodies deserve gentleness in every season.

• Mainstream tampons/pads → Switch to organic cotton products or a menstrual cup—free of chlorine and synthetic fragrance.

6. Cozy Up, Cleanly

Your home should be your sanctuary.

• Candles → Toss any candle that isn’t 100% beeswax or coconut wax. Conventional candles often release soot and synthetic fragrances.
• Mattress & bedding → Invest in organic cotton or GOTS-certified bedding for cleaner sleep. Take it one step further and invest in an organic mattress.
• Tap Bath/Shower Water → Invest in bathroom Filter that reduces heavy metals and chlorine

7. Smart Food & Water Choices

What goes into your body is just as important as what surrounds it.

• Plastic water bottles → Replace them with stainless steel or glass.
• Conventional produce → Shop organic when you can—start with the “Dirty Dozen” list.
• Conventional bag → Use reusable grocery and produce bags instead of plastic when shopping
• Tap Water Conventional plastic water filters → Choose systems like Berkey, Clearly Filtered, or Aquasana, which use carbon + additional filters to remove a wider range of toxins. They can filter out fluoride, heavy metals, PFAS, pesticides, and more—not just chlorine or taste-related compounds plus don’t have the chance of possibly leaching chemicals into your water.

Start Where You Are

This is not an end all be all list, there is so much more we could dive into but we’ll leave that for another time! You don’t have to swap everything at once. Start with one room, one product, or even just one label. What matters most is that you’re creating a home that aligns with your heart—and that’s a beautiful, worthy thing.

So welcome. Here, we believe a little intention goes a long way. And with each gentle step, you’re building a healthier, holier, and more heartfelt home.