5 Non-Toxic Changes We’ve Made in Our Home

Upon discovering I was pregnant last year, I delved into all the changes needed to make to ensure the health of my baby. I was stunned as I read all the products and foods heavily warned against. My husband and I took action, ridding ourselves and our spaces of said toxins and have been continuing to do so as our little girl gets older. These changes were made one after the other but did not happen overnight! I want to share them with you, in hopes that you can strive to make healthier changes for yourself, and even comment the changes you’ve made already! Attaining a toxin-free home is a journey, and a tough one at that. It takes research and experience. And although I’m still learning, I’d rather share my changes along the way. Enjoy!

1. No More Febreeze
   It was a difficult parting. Febreze was the perfect go-to after cleaning the home. And a convenient mask after hastily spot-cleaning. However, I was surprised to learn that Febreze contains BHT which is a known neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, and eye/lung irritator. It also consists of Acetaldehyde, which is toxic to reproduction and development and is known to cause cancer. And lastly, it contains fragrance, an extremely common ingredient that is both a neurotoxin and immunotoxin. 
   
   REPLACED WITH: Homemade air freshener! Start with 2 cups of water, a splash of vanilla extract and 20 drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle. In the winter, I love to use peppermint essential oil to create a warm, cozy vibe.
   
   
2. Goodbye Non-Stick Pans
   This is probably the most well-known toxin out there. “Forever Chemicals” are buzzwords that have people deathly afraid. But are they truly that bad? That convenient “non-stick” Teflon coating is made with PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid), a synthetic chemical linked to various health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental issues. There is also a risk of degradation with higher temperatures (500°F/260°C), which releases toxic fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and can be deadly to birds.
   
   REPLACED WITH: Stainless Steel Pans! What they lack in the convenient non-stick coating, they make up for in health. Stainless steel lacks the coating necessary to release toxins and chemicals into your food! It’s more durable, longer-lasting and has a much higher heat tolerance. And if you’re not ready to fully commit to stainless steel, try exploring pans with a non-stick ceramic coating. They lack the toxic chemicals mentioned above, but can degrade over time and with high heat.
   
   
3. Holistic Skin Care
   I’ve struggled with acne for 12 years. It was my biggest insecurity growing up. Because it was hormonal, I was clueless in finding a solution. Once I regulated my hormones and ate a cleaner diet, my skin cleared up significantly. You’d be surprised at how many ingredients are sitting in that small bottle of toner, or your sunscreen. A lot of skincare contains hormone disrupters, known carcinogens and fragrance/preservatves that can irritate your skin. Flip that bottle around and read the ingredients. How many strange chemicals can you spot? Being more conscious of what I put on my skin enabled me to ditch the mainstream skincare I had been using for more holistic and natural options. 
   
   REPLACED WITH: Non-comedogenic oils on my skin (Oils that won’t clog pores), such as Rosehip Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil. Rosehip brightens, helps inflammation, hydrates and even fights acne! Jojoba heals, repairs and balances oil production. Another major change I made was swapping my moisturizer out with Beef Tallow, also known as Beef Fat. Now stay with me, I know it sounds gross. But what makes it special is that the compounds in tallow both resemble and balance our skin’s natural oils, making it melt seamlessly into our skin. And it’s a non-comedogenic oil, a perfect companion to acne-prone skin. My go-to shop at the moment is Sunnah Apothecary, a Toronto-based small business that makes Halal Beef Tallow for both culinary and topical use!
   
   
4. Getting Picky With Oils!
   I was honestly shocked upon finding out that Vegetable Oil wasn’t actually a heart-healthy and better-for-you option like it is marketed to be. It’s all we ever cooked with growing up! Learning that some cooking oils can become toxic due to the release of harmful compounds when exposed to high heat worried me. The most problematic cooking oils in my opinion are the infamous “Vegetable Oils” such as Soybean, Corn, Canola and Sunflower. They are almost always processed and contain a high amount of polyunsaturated fats, which can create harmful free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells, proteins, and DNA in the body) when cooked at high temperatures.
   
   REPLACED WITH: Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Cold-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil. Each of these oils has relatively high smoke points and is rich in mono-saturated and saturated fats, which are considered to be a healthier dietary fat compared to saturated and trans fats.
   
   
5. Ditching Laundry Detergent
   There are loads of common household items that are now being labelled as toxic, but I don’t want us to get overwhelmed! Yes, it’s incumbent that we make necessary changes to the products we buy, but everything is done one step at a time. This website says “Many laundry detergents contain formaldehyde, a chemical that can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.” They also state that some ingredients are linked with health risks like cancer. Yikes!
   
   REPLACED WITH: Of course, the best option would be to make my own detergent from scratch, but I’m simply not there yet! For now, I purchase phosphate and paraben-free laundry strips wrapped in paper packaging from an environmentally friendly company.
   

Ultimately, the journey towards a toxin-free home is a journey towards a healthier, happier, and more sustainable lifestyle. Embracing this journey one step at a time will empower us to make informed choices that prioritize our health and the well-being of our family!