There’s a lot of noise out there about “non-toxic living.” And it can feel overwhelming... like you need to throw everything away right now and start from scratch. 😅
But the truth is: you don’t.
A non-toxic home isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, intentional swaps that reduce your daily exposure to unnecessary chemicals and help your body function and thrive as nature intended.
Here are some simple, practical ways to get started without overwhelming you:
Start in the Kitchen! (It Matters More Than You Think)
Your kitchen is one of the biggest sources of hidden toxins. But luckily, it's also one of the easiest places to make meaningful changes!
1. Swap Nonstick for Cast Iron or Stainless Steel
Nonstick (Teflon) pans can release harmful compounds when heated. Over time, those coatings break down and end up in your food.
Instead, use cast iron or stainless steel. They’re durable, time-tested, and actually get better with use. Back when I switched to cast iron, I really struggled with how to properly clean it. I just felt like it never came totally clean until I tried solid lard soap! Here's my cast iron cleaning guide if you're curious.
2. Ditch Liquid Dish Soap
Most liquid dish soaps come in plastic bottles and are filled with dyes, fragrances, and ingredients you can’t pronounce. And that “clean” scent? It often leaves a residue behind on your dishes.
A simple bar of traditional lard soap does the job beautifully... no weird aftertaste, no unnecessary additives, and no plastic waste (mother earth approves 🌎).
Pair it with a vintage wooden dish brush or natural fiber pot brush instead of a synthetic sponge. Those sponges sit in stagnant water, grow bacteria, and frankly… get gross fast. A natural brush dries out between uses and keeps things cleaner.
3. Choose Real Materials for Your Dishes
Plastic bowls, plates, and cups leach microplastics into your food, especially when heated.
Switch to ceramic, glass, or stoneware. It’s a small change that makes a big difference over time. A few of our favorites, easy swaps are these stoneware mugs, a sturdy ceramic mixing bowl, and these adorable little ceramic statement plates.
Be More Intentional About What You Eat
What you put in your body matter more than anything. If you're constantly swapping real, whole foods with fast food or processed junk, you're body WILL feel it.
4. Avoid Seed Oils
Highly processed seed oils (like soybean, canola, and corn oil) are everywhere, and they’re often oxidized and inflammatory.
Instead, cook with stable fats like butter, tallow, or olive oil. Your body will thank you and you WILL feel the difference in your gut, trust me! 😉
5. Buy Organic When You Can
Conventional produce is often treated with glyphosate and other toxic pesticides.
You don’t have to go all-or-nothing, but prioritizing organic, especially for the “dirty dozen” is a great place to start. If you're unfamiliar with the dirty dozen, here's a fun little Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 Guide from our friends at Foundations Wellness.
6. Choose Better Coffee
Not all coffee is created equal. Many conventional brands contain pesticide residue, mold, and worse.
Opting for shade-grown, carefully sourced coffee helps you avoid those hidden contaminants. And honestly, it just tastes so much better too. You don't have to be a coffee snob to get hooked on our specialty coffee, but it is approved by our coffee snob friends all the same. 😉
7. Rethink Your Bread
A lot of store-bought “sourdough” isn’t actually sourdough. It’s made with commercial yeast and enriched flour.
Real sourdough is naturally fermented, easier to digest, and made with simple ingredients. Homemade is best (and more doable than you think! 😏). A telltale sign that your "sourdough" is fake is that it never molds, or takes a few weeks to mold.
Rethink Everyday Habits
These are the little things that might not seem like a big deal, but the negative effects can (and will) add up if you're doing them every single day.
8. Switch to Loose Leaf Tea
Many tea bags are made with nylon or plastic, which release microplastics into hot water.
Loose leaf tea is such a simple upgrade. It's cleaner, better quality, and free from those hidden materials and toxins. Plus, ours is certified organic and comes in several delicious flavors like Cranberry Orange, Lavender Earl Grey, Chai, and English Breakfast.
9. Burn Beeswax Candles
Paraffin candles (the most common kind) are a byproduct of petroleum. When burned, they release harmful compounds into your air.
Beeswax candles, on the other hand, burn clean and naturally. No toxins, no synthetic fragrance, and you don't have to feel guilty for burning them in every room of your house. We recently added these beautiful beeswax tapers and hexagon pillars to our shop.
What You Put On Your Body Matters Too
Here’s something most people don’t think about:
After a shower, your pores are open... and then we lather on lotions, creams, and products filled with hormone disruptors.
Every. Single. Day. 😬
It’s worth pausing and asking: Would I eat this? If not, it probably doesn’t belong on your skin either.
10. Use All-Natural Ingredient Skincare
Switching to simple, all-natural skincare like tallow-based creams, raw milk soaps, and mineral-rich bars, is one of the most impactful changes you can make.
All of our soaps and creams are handmade by local soap makers who use only natural, high quality, ethically-sourced ingredients. Some of our favorites include our colostrum and honey tallow cream, raw milk and tallow body bar, honey turmeric tallow face bars, and sea salt exfoliating bar.
A Few Final Thoughts...
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life overnight.
Start with one or two swaps. And then build from there.
A non-toxic home isn’t about fear, it’s about awareness! It’s about choosing better when you can, simplifying where possible, and creating an environment that supports your health instead of working against it.
Over time, those small choices add up to something really meaningful! ☺️💛
Have some non-toxic hacks to add to the list? Post them and tag us on Instagram @haselmayergoods!
