Advancements in science and technology have made life easier in so many ways. One of those ways is home care. We don’t have to use as much elbow grease or time on tasks as we once did. Being more efficient is wonderful. We ALL want to spend less time on chores and more time on things we’d rather be doing.

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The truth is, as with all progress, there is a cost.

Many of these helpful cleaning agents in our home care products that make our lives a little easier are toxic to our body.

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So what do we do?

First, we educate ourselves because knowledge is power. In this article, we’re gonna go over some common toxins that you will find in your home cleaning and personal care products. And then we’ll review some alternatives to products that have toxic ingredients.

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Doesn’t the FDA test personal care products for safety?

The FDA actually only demands testing of the pigments and dyes in make up and personal care products. All ingredients are used at the discretion of the company.

This is why it’s so important to research the brands you use. If a company tests their products and uses high quality ingredients, they’ll likely brag about it. If you can’t find the information on the brands you use, take that as a big clue that it is not safe.

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Toxins You’ll Want to Look Out For:

Endocrine Disruptors

1.Endocrine disruptors are “natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system” (NIH, 2023).

Because these chemicals affect our hormones, they can cause or contribute to a wide range of health issues including mood disorders, developmental disorders, obesity & other metabolic disorders, autoimmune disease, PCOS, infertility, and fatigue

2.Some known endocrine disruptors you might find at home are:
i.Phthalates,
ii.PFAS,
iii.Parabens
iv.Bisphenol family (BPA, BPS, etc), including Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
v.Phytoestrogens,
vi.Dioxins
vii.Triclosan,
viii.Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).

3. A note on ‘fragrance’
One major ingredient to avoid is ‘fragrance’. Fragrance almost always means phthalates are present in that product (think Glade plugins, candles, strong smelling inexpensive perfumes, lotions and shampoos).

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Why Do You Want to Avoid These Ingredients?

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can have various effects on us and our loved ones. Depending on our bodies total toxic burden, or genetic proclivity to effective detox, and our liver and immune health, the same amount of exposure to endocrine disruptors can show up differently in individuals.

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Some of the effects endocrine disruptors have are:

1.When absorbed in the body, an endocrine disruptor can decrease or increase normal hormone levels (left), mimic the body’s natural hormones (middle), or alter the natural production of hormones (right). (NIH, 2023)
2.Phthalates

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that are linked to reproductive malformations in baby boys, reduced fertility, developmental disorders, asthma, and increased allergic reactions.

“They’ve also been identified by Project TENDR (Targeting Environmental Neuro-Developmental Risks) as “a prime example of chemicals of emerging concern to brain development.”” (Madesafe.org)

3.Bisphenol A/B/S
Bisphenol A or BPA is now widely known as an endocrine disruptor. We are now learning that its substitutes BPB and BPS are also dangerous – they are all synthetic estrogen mimickers which can contribute to obesity, insulin resistance/T2DM, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown to have effects on children’s behavior by affecting brain health of infants and children.
4.“Researchers found that exposure to certain phthalates was associated with decreased gestational age and increased risk of preterm birth.” (NIH, 2023)
5.“EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals) could cause neurocognitive effects such as compromised learning and memory.” (Environmental Health, 2024)
6.“EDCs could also cause neuropsychological effects such as impaired social interaction, increased aggression and anxiety, increased susceptibility to sex- and/or hormonally differentiated behavioral disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and depression.” (Environmental Health, 2024)

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How might you see some of these chemicals listed on your ingredient labels?

1.PFAS/PFOA – Look for words with “floro” like perfluorononyl dimethicone, perfluorodecalin, perfluorohexane, or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
2.BPA/S/B – look for #7 plastic recycling code inside the recycling triangle – This means the product packaging/bottle more than likely contains BPA. If the package was ever left out in the heat, that BPA has leached into the product.
a.PCBs – Ingredients overlap with Dioxins & BPA/S/B – look for “biphenyls” like polychlorinated biphenyls
3.Fragrance/Perfume/Parfum – Finding these ingredients listed means the product contains phthalates
4.Dioxins, Furans- Look for words with chlorine in them like polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans
These compounds are byproducts of the chlorine bleaching process that gives products that pristine, white look. Think pads, tampons, toilet paper and paper towels.

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Let’s go through a few examples of household items you want to avoid and alternatives for them.

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1.Liquid Dish Soap

-Palmolive Ultra Strength Cleanser “washes away germs”

https://www.palmolive.com/en-us/products/liquid-dish-soap/ultra-strength

●An important note on ‘antimicrobials’:
○“Antimicrobials are a class of chemicals designed to kill or inhibit the growth of microbes; and are frequently used in soaps and building materials, including countertops, paints, and doorknobs. Nineteen antimicrobials were banned in soaps and bodywashes by the FDA in 2016… Some antimicrobials are endocrine disruptors, and have been shown to impair learning and weaken muscle function.” (Living Future, 2022)
●What to use instead?
○Pure Castile soap without scents, or plant-based essential oil
https://www.ewg.org/cleaners/products/6119-DrBronnersPureCastileSoapLavender/

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2.Liquid Hand Soap

-Natural Concepts Hand Wash: Moisturizes and Softens Skin “washes away germs”

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Concepts-Hand-6-Pack-Bottles/dp/B08W36QJ4B

●What to use instead?
○All natural bar soap – https://www.littlehomesteadfarm.com/
○Pure Castile soap without added scents, or plant-based essential oil

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3.Liquid Body Wash

-St Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter

https://www.stives.com/products/soothing-oatmeal-and-shea-butter-body-wash

●What to use instead?

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4.Color Saving Shampoo

-Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo, Color-Treated Hair

https://www.garnierusa.com/about-our-brands/fructis/color-shield/color-shield-shampoo

●What to use instead?

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5.Shower Spray

-Method Daily Shower Spray

https://methodproducts.com/for-your-home/bathroom-cleaners/daily-shower-cleaner-eucalyptus-mint-28-fl-oz/

●What to use instead?
○Lemon Juice, Vinegar, Baking Soda:

https://www.thespruce.com/homemade-and-natural-cleaning-products-1900456

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6.Toilet Bowl Cleaner
-Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner https://www.lysol.com/products/bathroom-cleaners/lysol-power-toilet-bowl-cleaner
●What to use instead?

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Family First Aid Kit

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Here is what I recommend carrying with you in case of pain or abrasions:

1.Topical
b.Miracle Mend by Herb Haven – https://www.herbhaven.com/other-products/
2.Oral
3.CBD drops by Bison Botanicals: Great to use both topically and by mouth in case of headaches.
https://bisonbotanics.com/

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More Resources

1.Check your products safety online using databases like

Made Safe- https://madesafe.org/

EWG- https://ewg.org

2.Apps like Yuka can help you make informed choices by telling you what’s in your products

https://yuka.io/en/

3.Follow the advice of informed professionals like Dr. Burkhart:
https://dryvonneburkart.com/personal-care/
4.Read more on this topic