I used to not wash my produce. HAHA. Just kicking things off with my deepest darkest secret
And I swore I’d never be one of those people—thinking about plastic, stressing over organic vs. non-organic, or scanning ingredient lists like my life depended on it.
Yet, in 2025, you can catch me pushing a cart full of organic groceries, analyzing every snack label, swapping plastic sippy cups, and interrogating brands about sourcing.
SHEESH.
So what changed?!
I started paying attention. And what I learned? YIKES.
*Disclaimer: hi internet, let’s agree to not be goofballs on here ok? This is about my personal process, the things I learned, my opinions, and what I decided for my family. I’m not here to suggest you need to do what I do OR that you’re terrible for doing it differently. (Isn’t it funny we even have to have these convos?!) I know you’re capable of making your own decisions just like I’m capable of making mine. My goal is to make swaps that are “better”- not perfect. If that’s not your goal, that’s ok!
Here’s What I Learned:
Glyphosate is used heavily in agriculture and is considered a probable carcinogen. So even if you’re eating “healthy”, you are likely getting a high dose of glyphosate also… ew.
The FDA allows toxic chemicals in cosmetics - with no pre-market testing. and there is no requirement for pre-market testing. These are products we put on our skin every day! Even a little bit of daily exposure adds up.
The U.S. allows food additives that are banned in Europe. Why? The GRAS loophole lets food companies self-determine safety. Um, red flag much?!
Europe has banned or restricted more than 1600 chemicals found in cosmetics. The FDA? Less than 10.
The average woman puts on 160 chemicals each day. And some sources say 500+! Think shampoo, conditioner, fake tans, makeup… EEK!
Big-name companies get sued all the time for harmful products—but they make so much money that lawsuits are just a small bump in the road.
The FDA allows manufacturers to hide ingredients under the vague label "fragrance". Meaning? That candle, lotion, or shampoo could have who-knows-what inside.
Micro-plastics have been found in human blood, placentas, and baby feces. I KNOW, RIGHT?!
What I took from this isn't that everything is toxic.
But I did realize that it’s my responsibility to be an informed consumer.
For years, I assumed that if a product was on the shelf, it had to be safe & non-toxic—
(Because… logically, that would make sense, right? Also, it’d be kind? LOL.)
WRONG.
These realizations had me questioning everything.
How to go “Toxin-Free” without losing your mind.
1. Pick one place to start
Overwhelm is real. I had wall plug-ins, plastic cups, fragrance-filled everything, and zero idea where to begin.
So, I started small: bathroom cleaning products. Once I found a swap I liked, I moved on to hand soap, then dish soap, then laundry detergent… one step at a time.
There’s no right order—just what works for you.
2. LESS IS MORE
Reading labels made me realize we buy so much we don’t need.
Example: Scented body wash. My skin smells perfectly fine without “Coconut Breeze” soap, okay?! 
Also? Soap messes with our skin’s pH—so overusing it makes us need lotion. (Which, surprise! Also has unnecessary chemicals.)
3. ON A BUDGET? MAKE IT AT HOME.
Fun fact: People cleaned their houses before Costco and Amazon existed.
Many DIY swaps are easy and cheap—worth trying!
RELATED: How I Manage Toxin-Free Living at a Fraction of the Cost
4. BEWARE OF GREENWASHING
Marketing is sneaky. Some brands look toxin-free but aren’t.
I wasted too much money on fake "clean" brands before I wised up.
Now, I use EWG and Think Dirty apps to check product ingredients.
5. TRUST THE HYPE (SOMETIMES)
If every ingredient-conscious influencer swears by a brand (like Branch Basics), that’s a clue it might be worth trying.
Listening to real experiences has helped me find better swaps—without trial-and-error exhaustion.
BONUS TIP: YOU'LL NEVER BE 100% TOXIN-FREE
This was a tough pill to swallow. I used to think, “If I can’t swap everything, what’s the point?”
But now? I remind myself: “Just lessen the load.”
Reducing exposure a little is still helpful. And stressing over every toxin? That’s probably more toxic.
RELATED: Clean Beauty Gift Guide
THE TOXIN-FREE JOURNEY IS WORTH IT.
It feels so good knowing I’m making more intentional choices.
And the best part? The more people who demand better, the more companies will be forced to do better.
Win-win. 
Part 2 coming soon: My favorite non-toxic swaps!
Are you making toxin-free swaps? What’s your fave? Or—if you haven’t started, what’s holding you back? Drop a comment! 
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