These days, it feels like every brand claims their products are non-toxic.
But let’s be real… not all of them are.
So, how do you figure out which products are genuinely non-toxic and which are just clever marketing?
Making the switch to a non-toxic lifestyle can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to sort through all the confusing claims. Don’t worry, though—we totally understand! It can be tricky (and honestly, a bit exhausting) to navigate it all.
That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you cut through the noise and find swaps you can actually trust. Think of it as a friendly, easy-to-follow roadmap to get you started on your non-toxic journey.
Before we dive in, let’s take a closer look at why finding truly non-toxic products can feel like such a challenge.
Why Is It So Hard to Find Truly Non-Toxic Products?
It’s a question we’ve all asked at some point. You think you’re making healthier choices for yourself and your family only to discover that the “non-toxic” product you trusted is packed with a long list of… well, toxic ingredients. Cue the facepalm.
So, how did we get here?
It all started with good intentions. As more of us became aware of the importance of clean, safe products, we demanded better options. Companies took notice and scrambled to keep up.
But instead of making meaningful, honest changes, many chose shortcuts. Why? Here are a few key reasons:
- Profit comes first. Let’s be real—many companies prioritise their bottom line over your well-being.
- Old habits die hard. Many brands rely on cheap, outdated ingredients. Switching to safer alternatives can disrupt their entire business model.
- Lack of accountability. Did you know the beauty and personal care industry largely regulates itself? Products don’t have to pass safety tests before hitting store shelves.
- Natural ingredients are tricky. Creating clean, effective products takes more time, effort, and investment. They don’t always feel like what we’re used to and often have shorter shelf lives, making them riskier for businesses.
- Loopholes everywhere. Terms like “fragrance” or “parfum” allow companies to hide questionable ingredients in plain sight. These blends can contain harmful chemicals like carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
All of this adds up to a sneaky marketing tactic called greenwashing, where products are made to look eco-friendly or non-toxic without actually living up to the claims.
But don’t worry we’re here to help you spot the shortcuts, decode the labels, and make informed choices you can feel good about.
The Greenwashing Epidemic
One of the biggest roadblocks to finding truly non-toxic products is a sneaky marketing tactic called greenwashing. It’s all about clever advertising. Labels and ads are designed to tell you exactly what you want to hear.
→ With the growing demand for cleaner products, many brands take advantage of busy or trusting consumers by making their products seem healthier, greener, or more non-toxic than they really are.
Greenwashing tricks you into thinking a product is better for you or the environment through misleading claims or strategic marketing.
Here are some common greenwashing tactics to watch out for:
- “Green” or “clean” visuals – Think leafy designs or earthy packaging that suggest natural ingredients.
- Fake “certifications” – Symbols that look official but don’t actually mean much.
- “Clean” sections in stores – These often have vague or loose standards.
- Highlighting one natural ingredient – Like “Made with organic olive oil,” while ignoring the rest of the product.
- “Natural” fragrance claims – Phrases like “Made with essential oils” can still hide other chemicals.
Phase One: Foundational Non-Toxic Swaps
Starting your non-toxic journey can feel overwhelming, so we’ve broken it down into two easy-to-follow phases.
(Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and your non-toxic journey doesn’t have to be either!)
The first swaps focus on what you inhale and consume daily things that have the most direct impact on your health. These foundational changes will make the biggest difference and set you up for long-term success. Let’s get started!
Water Quality
While your tap water may appear clear, it often contains hidden contaminants. Drinking water can harbour substances like nano- and microplastics, PFAS, heavy metals, disinfection by-products, fluoride, and flame retardants. Many of these chemicals can disrupt hormones and accumulate in our bodies over time, posing long-term health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
How to Improve Your Water Quality with Non-Toxic Swaps
Enhancing your water quality is straightforward. Consider investing in a reliable filtration system for both your drinking and bathing water. These non-toxic swaps can significantly benefit your health.
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Filter your drinking water:
Water2 or Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier (or countertop)
Tip: Instead of relying on plastic water bottles when out and about, bring your own filtered water from home. It requires a bit more planning but is well worth the effort!
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Filter your shower/bath water:
HelloKlean
Jolie Filtered Showerhead
Air Quality
Air quality is often overlooked when adopting a non-toxic lifestyle. Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Poor air quality in the UK is a significant public health concern, with air pollution estimated to be responsible for approximately 40,000 early deaths each year.
Our respiratory system provides a direct pathway for chemicals to enter our bloodstream and brain, making clean air essential for optimal health.
How to Improve Your Air Quality with Non-Toxic Swaps
Improving air quality can be achieved with a few simple habits and a quality air filter.
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Increase ventilation:
Open windows and doors regularly to allow fresh air inside.
Spend more time outdoors to benefit from cleaner air.
Tip: Combine outdoor time with grounding or forest bathing for added health benefits!
- Maintain cleanliness:
Vacuum your home frequently, preferably with a HEPA filter vacuum. A model like the Shark with a HEPA filter is a great choice.
- Invest in a quality air filter:
To be cost-effective, start by placing an air filter in the room where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom or home office.
Move the filter to different areas as needed until you can equip each room or cover the entire square footage of your home.
Eliminate or replace airborne products:
Non-toxic candles:
- Kayle at Home Candles
Many candles use petroleum-based waxes and synthetic fragrances containing carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Opt for candles made from natural ingredients to avoid inhaling harmful substances.
Non-toxic cleaning products:
Cleaning products can release airborne molecules and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), impacting indoor air quality. Switching to non-toxic cleaning solutions is an important step.
Non-toxic detergent and dryer balls:
Keep an eye out for Kayle at Home washing powder
Wool dryer balls
Room sprays/fresheners:
Kayle at Home Room Sprays
While room sprays can create an inviting ambiance, ensure they are crafted with clean, non-toxic ingredients like essential oils.
Remove your shoes at the door:
- Place a shoe rack or holder by your front door to avoid tracking toxins into your home.
Many of us enter our homes without considering our shoes, but this simple habit can greatly improve air quality. Contaminants like fecal material, pathogens, heavy metals, microplastics, and industrial chemicals from outdoors can be brought in on shoe soles. Removing your shoes at the door helps maintain a healthier indoor environment.
By implementing these non-toxic swaps, you can significantly enhance the quality of the water you drink and the air you breathe, leading to a healthier lifestyle for you and your loved ones.
Food: The Foundation of Life
Food fuels our bodies and keeps us thriving—it's the cornerstone of good health! There's so much to talk about when it comes to food (seriously, we could write a book on it), but let’s start with some high-level tips and simple swaps to guide you toward a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle.
“Minimizing exposure to toxins while supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes is key to living healthier, longer, and with more energy.”
Food: The Foundation of Life
Food fuels our bodies and keeps us thriving—it's the cornerstone of good health! There's so much to talk about when it comes to food (seriously, we could write a book on it), but let’s start with some high-level tips and simple swaps to guide you toward a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle.
“Minimizing exposure to toxins while supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes is key to living healthier, longer, and with more energy.”
How to Clean Up Your Food and Non-Toxic Swaps
Making changes to your diet can feel overwhelming, but take it one step at a time. Here are our top tips and swaps to help you transition gradually and confidently.
Prioritise Organic and Regenerative Foods
Organic and regenerative foods are more nutrient-dense and reduce the risk of toxin exposure.
- Shop at local farmers’ markets or farm shares: Supporting small-scale, sustainable growers is a win for your health and the planet!
- Grow your own food if you can: Even a small herb garden can make a big difference.
- Wash all produce: Yes, even organic and regenerative produce.
Tip: If organic isn’t in your budget, choose non-GMO whole foods—they’re the next best thing. And don’t fear real, whole foods, even if they’re conventionally grown. Fruits and veggies contain antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients that help your body naturally detoxify.
Go Back to Basics: Eat More Whole Foods
Whenever possible, aim for whole, unprocessed foods. When packaged foods are necessary, look for options with simple ingredient lists—the fewer, the better!
Coffee and Tea Swaps
- Choose mould-free coffee: Up to 96% of conventional coffees can contain mould and harmful mycotoxins. Look for third-party-tested brands to avoid these contaminants.
- Ditch tea bags for loose-leaf teas: Many tea bags release microplastics and adhesives into your drink yikes! Loose-leaf tea is a simple, healthier swap.
Upgrade Your Pantry
- Refined salt → Mineral-rich salt: Switch to Himalayan Pink Salt or Celtic Sea Salt. These unrefined options are packed with essential minerals, while table salt is often bleached and stripped of nutrients.
- Refined foods → Natural, unrefined foods: This applies to flours, sugars, and oils. Look for less processed alternatives to support overall health.
Embrace Raw Dairy
Raw dairy is a powerhouse of bioactive nutrients, healthy fats, and proteins that conventional milk lacks. Whenever possible, choose raw options from trusted sources.
Choose Quality Animal Proteins
Opt for pasture-raised, wild-caught, regenerative, or organic animal proteins. For example, on our farm, we raise chickens regeneratively, feeding them organic, soy-free, non-GMO feed. After the growing season, our chickens help clean and turn the soil in our garden, and their bedding enriches it with nutrients.
Cut Out Inflammatory and Additive-Laden Foods
Avoid these as much as possible:
- Ultra-processed foods
- Refined sugar
- Alcohol
- Artificial flavours, dyes, and colourings
- Seed oils
These simple swaps and habits form a strong foundation for healthier eating. By minimising toxins in your food and embracing more natural, whole-food options, you’ll be well on your way to feeling your best!
Phase Two: Intermediate Non-Toxic Swaps
Congratulations on taking the next step! You’re ready to move beyond the basics and start making more non-toxic swaps for the products you use on and around your body.
These changes build on the solid foundation you’ve established with cleaner water, air, and food. Let’s dive into some practical, impactful tips!
Beauty & Personal Care Products
It’s no surprise that personal care is at the top of our list we’re passionate about it! These swaps are simple to make, and using the right products often gives even better results.
Did you know?
“Beauty and personal care products can contain toxins like endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and allergens. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or even ingested. Reducing exposure to these toxins has been shown to lower risk factors for cancer.”
How to Clean Up Your Beauty & Personal Care Routine
With greenwashing everywhere, it can be hard to know which brands to trust. Here are some non-toxic swaps to get you started:
Facial Skincare
- Kayle at Home Skincare
- Kayle at Home Lip Care
- Kayle at Home Holistic Wellness Tools
Body Skincare
- Kayle at Home Body Butter + Body Oil
- Kayle at Home Body Wash (COMING SOON!)
Hygiene Care
- RiseWell Toothpaste
- Kayle at Home Deodorant
- Zuma Nutrition Shampoo + Conditioner
Menstrual Care
- Natracare Organic
Toilet Paper
- Naked Sprout or Cheeky Panda
Bamboo options are the safest choice since many paper products, especially recycled ones, can contain harmful chemicals like BPA from receipt paper.
Cosmetics and Outdoor Products
- Cosmetics: Choose brands with 100% transparent and safe ingredients.
- Sunscreen and Outdoor Products: Try Fierce Nature for a non-toxic option.
Making these swaps takes time there’s no need to rush. Use up the products you already have and replace them with non-toxic alternatives one by one. Give yourself grace as you transition. You've got this!
Cookware + Dishware
The materials you use for cooking, baking, and storing food matter more than you might think. Over time, certain items can leach harmful chemicals into your meals—especially with high heat or wear and tear, even if they’re labelled as “non-toxic.”
Did you know?
Cooking, preparing, and eating food with plastic containers, utensils, or non-stick cookware can expose you to microplastics, heavy metals, and PFAS. These harmful chemicals can build up in your body over time, leading to inflammation, DNA damage, and even cancer. The good news? You can avoid these risks by choosing safe, simple options like uncoated stainless steel, cast iron, glass, or pure ceramic cookware.
How to Clean Up Your Cookware + Dishware
There are more non-toxic options available than ever before! Here are some of our favourite swaps to help you transition:
Cookware + Utensils
- Cast Iron Pans
- Stainless Steel Pots
- Glass Baking Dishes
- Wooden Cooking Utensils (Avoid silicone too!)
Brewing + Drinkware
- Plastic-Free French Press for coffee
- Loose-Leaf Teapot (ditch tea bags)
- Glass Water Bottle (skip plastic or aluminium)
Food Storage + Prep
- Glass Storage Containers
- Wooden Cutting Boards
- Bamboo Paper Towels (better than bleached or recycled paper)
Dishwashing Swaps
- Look out for Kayle at Home Washing-Up Liquid (coming soon!)
- Bamboo Dish Brushes
- Coconut Scouring Pads and Sea Sponges
What you eat is essential, but how you prepare and store your food can also significantly impact your health. By removing chemicals and leaching materials from your kitchen, you’ll automatically reduce your body’s toxic load and that’s a win for your health.
Clothing, Apparel, and Home Products
While clothing might not be the first swap you think about, it’s definitely worth considering once you’ve made good progress with other non-toxic swaps. After all, your clothes are in direct contact with your skin, and they can even affect the air quality in your home.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic can release microplastics, which are becoming a major concern for both human and environmental health. These microplastics can increase inflammation and cause damage to tissues. On top of that, synthetic fabrics often contain endocrine disruptors that can affect your health, especially for kids.
How to Clean Up Your Clothing, Apparel, and Home Products
This category may feel overwhelming at first, but remember, the goal isn’t perfection. You don’t have to tackle everything at once—just make a few swaps at a time, and progress is progress! Here’s how to get started:
Clothing: Where to Begin.
- Start with Undergarments: Since they’re in direct contact with sensitive parts of your body and are often more affordable to replace, this is an easy place to begin.
- Avoid Synthetics: Say no to polyester, nylon, acrylic, and polyester blends. These can negatively impact both your skin and air quality as they break down over time.
- Choose Natural Fabrics: Opt for organic materials like cotton, linen, hemp, wool, and silk.
Additional Tips
- Avoid Fire Retardants: This is especially important for kids’ clothing, so keep an eye out.
- Go for Natural Dyes: Choose clothing dyed with water-based, natural dyes to avoid toxic chemicals.
- Second hand Clothing: Used clothing has often off-gassed some of its chemicals, so it may have less exposure to toxic fumes.
Home Products: Simple Swaps
- Natural Materials: Choose natural materials for home décor, like wool rugs, cotton blankets, and linen sheets.
- Natural Mattresses and Pillows: Make sure your sleep environment is as toxin-free as possible by investing in natural mattresses and pillows.
Making the switch to non-toxic clothing and home products is a big step toward supporting the long-term health of you and your family. If you’ve already made progress with other swaps, you’re well on your way to living a cleaner, healthier life.
A Proactive Approach to Non-Toxic Living
Living a non-toxic life is definitely a work in progress, but it's so worth it! While we can’t control everything, we do have the power to reduce toxic exposures where we can. It's important to stay aware of greenwashing and always be gentle with ourselves as we make these changes.
Ideally, better practices and safer ingredients will become the standard in the future. But for now, it's up to us to take charge of what we put in, on, and around our bodies.
Remember, living a non-toxic lifestyle is all about being proactive, not reactive. Making these choices leads to a healthier, more abundant life!
We hope you enjoyed this guide to non-toxic swaps. We’d love to hear your thoughts and any topics you'd like us to dive into next!
