I used to light sage, incense, and scented candles, thinking I was creating a calm, spiritual space for my family. I washed my baby’s clothes in Dreft, trusting the pink bottle labeled “gentle.” I cooked most of our meals with the tap water without a second thought.
But then I learned what was actually in the air we were breathing, the water we were bathing in, and the products I was using daily.
And once I knew, I couldn’t un-know it. I found ways to reduce the toxins in my home and I’m here to share easy ways to detox your home.
I started detoxing my home—not with a total overhaul, but with small, practical changes that made a real difference.
This blog post is all about the super easy ways to detox your home.
The 7 Easy Ways to Detox Your Home
1. Take Your Shoes Off at the Door
This was the easiest and one of the most immediate ways to detox your home. If you are not already doing this, start today, especially if you have a baby crawling on the floor.
Shoes track in pesticides, bacteria, lead dust, and even fecal matter from sidewalks, parks, and public bathrooms. When you walk around your house with shoes on, you’re spreading those contaminants directly where your kids play.
When I first started the no-shoes rule, even my own parents thought I was being dramatic. My mom insisted her shoes were clean—so I gently asked her where she had walked right before coming over.
She paused, then admitted she’d stopped for breakfast, pumped gas, and used the restroom at both places. That’s when it clicked. Clean-looking shoes aren’t actually clean.
Now we have a place by the door, and everyone (even guests!) knows to leave their shoes at the door.
2. Ditch the Air Polluters
I used to think that lighting candles and incense made our home feel peaceful and cozy. But once I learned what was actually being released into the air, I realized I was unintentionally polluting the space where my family—especially my kids—live, breathe, and play.
Most store-bought scented products release VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are linked to asthma, hormone disruption, and other health issues. These VOCs don’t just disappear—they settle into the dust on your furniture and floors.
And guess who’s crawling through that dust or putting toys in their mouth? Yep—our babies and toddlers.
Once I understood this, I cleared out all the candles, incense sticks, and synthetic air fresheners. My husband still sages our home occasionally, but now we make sure the windows are wide open and the space is well-ventilated.
Even so-called “natural” options like beeswax candles or essential oils can still affect indoor air quality, especially for little lungs. When you have babies or toddlers, it’s best to keep things as clean and pure as possible.
Sometimes the best air freshener is simply opening a window.
3. Switch to Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is one of the most overlooked sources of toxins in the home, and yet it touches your family’s skin all day long. If you’ve been using brands like Tide, Gain, or anything that leaves your clothes smelling “fresh,” I get it—it’s hard to make the switch.
Conventional laundry detergents often contain:
- Synthetic fragrance (often hiding phthalates)
- Optical brighteners
- Preservatives and surfactants are linked to skin irritation, allergies, and even hormonal disruption
For us, the switch wasn’t easy but it is one of the most important ways to detox your home. I went through a lot of trial and error—some products didn’t clean well, others left clothes smelling… off.
My husband hated the process at first because, let’s be honest, we’re all used to equating “clean” with a strong scent. But I was determined to find something that worked without compromising our health.
Even my own doctor advised me to stop using popular baby detergents like Dreft, which are heavily fragranced and full of unnecessary chemicals. Honestly, it should be illegal to market products like that to expecting moms—they’re anything but baby-safe.
Eventually, I found low-tox options that work and leave our clothes feeling fresh, without fake fragrance. I’ll be sharing my favorite non-toxic laundry detergents in an upcoming blog post (or you can check my low tox laundry product recommendations here).
If you’re just starting out, remember: this swap is worth the effort. Your skin (and your baby’s skin) will thank you.
4. Upgrade Your Dish Soap & Dishwasher Pods
I really wish I had made this switch sooner.
I started noticing a weird film on my toddler’s plates after running them through the dishwasher. And it hit me—if there’s residue on the dishes, it’s going into our food.
Even worse, many conventional dishwasher pods are wrapped in dissolvable plastic. But plastic doesn’t just disappear… it has to go somewhere.
Over time, I realized those “dissolving” pods were leaving behind plastic traces—and I wasn’t okay with that, especially for my kids.
Most conventional dish soaps and dishwasher products contain:
- SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
- Synthetic fragrances
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
These chemicals can stay behind on plates, cups, and utensils, especially if you’re using heat-dry cycles or soft plastics.
Like my laundry journey, this was another round of trial and error. Some non-toxic options didn’t clean well, and others left streaks. But eventually, I found what worked for us.
Here’s what I changed:
- Swapped to a non-toxic, fragrance-free dish soap
- Ditched the bright blue pods for powder-based or EWG-rated dishwasher tablets
- Noticed an improvement in both cleanliness and peace of mind
Bonus: these options are also safer for the environment and your septic system.
If you’re washing dishes your family eats off of every day, this is one of the easiest and most impactful swaps you can make.
5. Say Goodbye to Non-Stick Pans
I grew up with non-stick everything—pans, pots, baking sheets. They were convenient, easy to clean, and felt like a kitchen essential. But once I learned what those coatings were made of, I couldn’t unlearn it.
Most traditional non-stick cookware is coated with PTFE or PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” These are linked to hormone disruption, thyroid problems, and even developmental delays, especially concerning for young kids and pregnant women.
For me, everything changed after watching the movie Dark Waters. I immediately tossed our old scratched pans and baking sheets—the ones with that black coating flaking off—and realized I’d been cooking with cookware that could have been leaching toxic chemicals into our food for years.
My mom still uses her decades-old pans, and I’m on a mission to get her to finally let them go. The coating is almost completely worn off, and now all I can think about is how much of it we probably ingested over time.
I’ll be honest—this swap wasn’t easy. Cooking without non-stick pans is a learning curve. Eggs stick. Clean-up is different. We’re still figuring it out—but I will never go back to Teflon or coated non-stick pans. The convenience is simply not worth the risk to my family’s health.
Better swaps that are safer and long-lasting:
- Cast iron (once seasoned, it becomes naturally non-stick)
- Stainless steel (great for high-heat and durability)
- Ceramic-coated cookware (make sure it’s PFAS-free certified)
If you’re looking for ways to detox your home, start with the pan you use most. Your health is worth the upgrade.
6. Detox Your Cleaning Products
This was one of the biggest reasons I decided to go all in on detoxing our home.
Every time I cleaned the kitchen or bathroom, I had to keep my baby and toddler far away—and let the room air out for hours. I’d either hold my breath or wear a mask while spraying, and now that I think back… that should’ve been my red flag.
Why was I using something so toxic that I couldn’t even breathe it in safely?
And yet, these products are marketed directly to moms like me—busy, overwhelmed, and just wanting a clean home. The branding is slick, the promises are bold, and the scents are strong.
But the truth? The residue they leave behind can linger on surfaces your kids crawl on, touch, and even put in their mouths.
If it has a skull and crossbones or a warning label, do you really want it around your kids?
I started ditching the harsh stuff—bleach, ammonia, and synthetic sprays—and slowly swapped in simple, effective alternatives that clean just as well, without the toxic load.
What I stopped using:
- Antibacterial sprays
- Bleach-based cleaners
- Harsh oven and bathroom sprays
- Anything with “fragrance” or unclear ingredients
What I use now:
- My mom’s DIY all-purpose cleaner
- Branch Basics for almost everything in our home—from counters to toilets
Cleaning no longer gives me anxiety. My kids can help me wipe down surfaces, and I don’t have to panic if someone licks the table (because toddlers, right?).
The convenience of conventional cleaners just isn’t worth the hidden risks. And once you find a safer routine that works, it honestly feels so empowering.
7. Filter Your Water
I can’t tell you how much relief I felt the day we installed a whole-home water filtration system. After learning how contaminated our tap water really was, I started feeling anxious every time I bathed my kids or filled their cups. I couldn’t unsee the research, and once you know what’s in your water, you’ll never look at it the same.
You can download my free water quality guide here to check what’s in your local water.
At first, I started small—I used a simple bath filter like this one to reduce exposure during bath time. But I quickly realized we were still using that same tap water to:
- Brush my toddler’s teeth
- Wash my baby’s face
- Rinse dishes, fruits, bottles—everything
It didn’t sit right with me. So we made the investment in a whole-home water filtration system, and it’s been one of the best decisions for our health and peace of mind.
What’s in tap water that we don’t see?
- Chlorine and chloramines
- Heavy metals like lead and arsenic
- Microplastics
- PFAS (forever chemicals) that build up in the body and are linked to serious health concerns
- Even trace pharmaceuticals and pesticides
These toxins can’t be boiled out, and kids are especially vulnerable to their effects because their bodies are still developing.
Not ready to go all in yet? Here’s how to start:
- Get a certified countertop or under-sink filter
- Use a bath filter for infants and toddlers
Even small steps make a difference. You don’t have to do it all at once, but protecting your water is one of the most powerful ways to detox your home and reduce your family’s daily toxin exposure.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Try to Do It All at Once
You don’t have to throw everything away tomorrow. Just start with one thing.
Pick the swap that feels easiest to you—maybe it’s taking off your shoes, switching to a new detergent, or simply tossing out candles. These steps add up. And before you know it, you will have a safer, less toxic home for your family.
This blog post was all about easy ways to detox your home.
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