Over the past few years, we’ve slowly started making changes around our home to reduce toxins and create a healthier living space. Not because we were trying to be perfect. Not because we were following a trend.
But because small changes truly add up over time.
We were also looking for ways to help reduce our daughter’s eczema flare-ups and create a home environment that was safe for her sensitive skin.
Living in the Midwest means we’re practical. We like things that work well, last a long time, and make sense for our families. So instead of overhauling everything overnight, we focused on making realistic, sustainable swaps that fit into our everyday routine.
If you're looking for simple ways to reduce toxins in your home, here are five changes that made the biggest difference for us.
1. Replacing Plastic Food Storage with Glass & Stainless Steel
This was one of the easiest changes we made — and one of the most impactful.
Plastic containers can leach chemicals, especially when exposed to heat. So we gradually replaced old plastic food storage containers with:
Glass storage containers with locking lids
Mason jars in assorted sizes
Stainless steel water bottles
Reusable storage bags made from non-toxic materials
We didn’t throw everything away at once. As plastic pieces wore out or lids went missing, we replaced them with safer alternatives.
Bonus: Glass doesn’t stain or hold odors, and everything looks cleaner and more organized in the fridge. No more spaghetti sauce stains.
2. Switching to Natural Cleaning Products
If you flip over most conventional cleaning bottles, the ingredient list can feel overwhelming.
We slowly transitioned to natural cleaning products and simple homemade solutions like:
Vinegar and water for glass
Baking soda and lemon for scrubbing
Castile soap for everyday cleaning
Plant-based multi-surface cleaners
Many traditional cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can impact indoor air quality.
Making this switch helped us feel better about what we were spraying on high-touch surfaces like counters, floors, and bathroom fixtures.
Pro Tip: Start with the products you use daily (like an all-purpose cleaner), then expand from there.
3. Reducing Single-Use Items
Single-use plastics are convenient — but they add up quickly.
We replaced:
Paper towels with reusable cloths
Plastic water bottles with stainless steel bottles
Plastic tote bags with canvas bags
Paper plates, napkins, and disposable silverware with glass, linen, and stainless steel options
It wasn’t about eliminating everything overnight. It was about building better habits.
Reducing household waste doesn’t just lower toxins in the home — it also reduces our overall environmental impact.
And honestly? Our trash cans were noticeably less full within just a few weeks.
4. Upgrading Air Quality & Ventilation
We often think about what we put on surfaces — but indoor air quality is just as important.
Here’s what helped:
Opening windows regularly for fresh air (even in winter for a few minutes)
Adding a HEPA air purifier
Monitoring indoor air quality
Using houseplants to support fresher air
Replacing HVAC filters consistently
Indoor air can sometimes be more polluted than outdoor air. Improving airflow and filtration was a simple but powerful way to reduce toxins inside our home.
5. Choosing Safer Personal Care & Laundry Products
Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, hand soaps, and shampoos — they all contribute to the chemical load inside a home.
For our family, switching these products made a noticeable difference, especially for our daughter’s sensitive skin.
We transitioned to:
Fragrance-free laundry detergent sheets (like Earth Breeze)
Health and beauty products free of artificial dyes
Cleaner-ingredient soaps, shampoos, and body care products
Aluminum-free deodorants
These items are in constant contact with our skin and clothing. After making these changes, we saw a significant improvement in skin irritation in our home.
When you reduce toxins in everyday products, the impact becomes more visible over time.
What We Didn’t Do
We didn’t:
Low-tox living doesn’t have to be extreme. It can be gradual, affordable, and practical.
And that’s what works for real families like ours.
Why Reducing Toxins at Home Matters
Your home should be a place of comfort — not hidden chemical exposure.
While we can’t eliminate every toxin from household products, we can control what we bring into our homes and work to reduce exposure over time.
Here are a few goals you might work towards this year:
And in the Midwest, we appreciate common-sense living. These swaps just make sense.
Final Thoughts: Start Small
If you’re just starting your low-tox home journey, choose one area.
Replace your kitchen storage.
Swap your all-purpose cleaner.
Ditch artificially scented and heavily fragranced products.
Progress beats perfection every time.
And if you’ve made changes around your home to reduce toxins, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.