Some Favorite Products for a Healthier Household
When I got pregnant in 2021, I kickstarted my journey towards a more environmentally conscious and lower toxin lifestyle. I desired to ensure our home was as safe and conducive for a healthy pregnancy and childhood as I could create. While I am no where near my goals, and I’m not sure if perfection will ever be attainable (besides to move to a farm and grow my own food which I’m not sure is realistic for me!) These are some of the baby steps I have made towards a lower chemical and toxic lifestyle, while holding the goal to always work to improve.
Every time I research or asses a product for my household, I use the EWG verification website to see the toxic levels in a product and their letter grade or evaluation in influencing my decision. Like I mentioned, perfection in this regard - finding and using all EWG verified products at all times and nothing else - is not attainable for my life and I don’t want to find myself stressed over this. However, it is always good to be informed and make decisions that way when possible. To have an EWG verification means that the product is verified by the Environmental Working Group to be free of harsh chemicals and meets the safest criteria for eliminating toxicity. You can read their full criteria here: https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-is-ewg-verified As always, do your own research but these are the standards I have chosen to follow when choosing safety guidelines for my household products.
Everyone hand soap (Amazon)
Handsoap: Everyone Hand Soap (Amazon) EWG Verified. Sadly, I used to be able to find this at Target but I am unable to at the moment. Be weary of greenwashing marketing and branding. I was a frequent purchaser of other soap brands at Target until doing some research and finding they are more riddled with chemicals than I thought and not as environmentally conscious. Also note, some of your favorite brands may have one scent that is EWG verified and another version of the product rated a D. it is important to verify. The chemicals and scents can change the grade.
Attitude detergent - find it at attitudeliving.com
Laundry: This was a REALLY hard breakup for me. Prior to switching, I used some pretty big name laundry detergents (I encourage you to verify yours, even those marketed as Free and Clear).. and loved laundry beads and boosters for extra scent boost. Sadly, those have not made the cut. As I am fairly particular for smell, I can attest that the Attitude laundry smells great, is EWG verified and works to a clean wash. However, with a toddler, it does not always get all of the tough stains out every time of the big messes. I am still working through another solution for the bad messes, but for regular loads and sheets/towels: this is great. Another honorable mention would be 9 Elements from Target. They pride themselves on using a vinegar based solution and - you guessed it - 9 ingredients.
While some people recommend a wool ball and essential oils in lieu of dryer sheets, I have omitted these altogether. This was yet another heartbreak but over time you will adjust. I do miss the potent smell of clean laundry but that is ok. :)
9 Elements has an A rating and is affordable
Dish Soap was important to me as I knew I would need something gentle when I had the baby to be washing bottles and breast pumping parts. 9 Elements is a vinegar based solution, free of harsher chemicals and dyes. I always like to ask myself when finding a product “why is it this color and should it be?” So if you see something with vibrant color and dyes - ask yourself if that is necessary for the product. Fortunately, this is clear and vinegar powered. It also smells good and lathers well. It is rated A on the EWG website. For my dishwasher, I use Seventh Generation Free & Clear. These have an EWG rating as an A. They do not clean as tough as perhaps some of the other brands, but I find with a rinse-off before putting them in the dishwasher they do a pretty good job.
Puracy for a high rated household clean
For my household cleaner, I have rotated with Everspring Lavender cleaner which is mostly decent and now I am trying out Puracy (review still TBD). With flu season, we use Clorox wipes and bleach for the sick days and germs. Remember, balance is the key and not perfection - at least that is the motto in our house.
In our family, we strive everyday to be healthier and cleaner, but we know balance is the most important key to a healthy lifestyle. What are some of the ways you like to live a healthier life?