Wanting to make healthier swaps in your life can be hard to navigate and manage on your own. Below you’ll find tips on how to make sustainable change and what products/ brands to look for to replace what you might already be using.
The information provided in this post is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Links throughout this blog may also contain affiliate links. Please be assured, that these are all products I personally use and/or recommend. There is no additional cost to you, and often times when you use my link, you will save money with my exclusive discounts and coupons.
Making Healthier Change
At some point in time, you probably went to college, drank a cup of juice out of a cup from who knows where and didn’t think twice about it. And now when you scroll the internet you see grown adults arguing about what type of water filter is the ‘cleanest’ and you’re thinking… what did I miss here?
If this is you, you aren’t alone.
In the last 10-15 years there has been a big shift in changing out “dirty” products for “clean” products, and quite frankly it can be overwhelming.
The reason for this shift is definitely a good thing, but there can be a lot of fear associated with it. Many products today are made with chemicals that you can’t pronounce, they’re made in a laboratory and can have negative effects on your health. This is especially true when hormones or fertility is of concern as many of the chemicals, we find in everyday life are filled with what we call endocrine disrupters, which throw off how our hormones communicate with one another.
In addition, there are some chemicals in products that are linked to cancer, may not be great for those with sensitive skin, and on and on.
But making the switch and knowing what products to choose can be overwhelming to navigate on your own. So, let’s dive into HOW to make a change and what the few easiest things to start with are.
How to Make Change that Will Last
My biggest tip– do not just throw away what you have and start from scratch. While it might feel exciting for a moment to just get rid of the bad and replace it with the good it’s an expensive route to take when there is a better option.
The thing I want you to realize is that even if you do everything perfectly, you’ll still be exposed to some of these chemicals. Unless you live in a bubble and that’s not realistic. So rather than driving yourself crazy about cutting everything out, I’d recommend that as you finish a product that you’re using, rather than just replacing it with the exact same thing that you have, look for a “cleaner” alternative. Give that new brand/ product a try and if you like it stick with it, and if not try another option.
There are lots of “clean” products on the market; however, many of them are marketed to be clean but aren’t actually as clean as they seem to be. With this shift towards buying clean over the last decade or so, many companies are trying to keep up so they can keep their bottom line profitable.
It is much easier to create lasting change when you choose products you like and implement them into your life one at a time. This does not have to be an all or nothing thing.
So if you want to start swapping products, where should you start?
The thing is there are “dirty products” all around us. We will NEVER eliminate them all. And in my opinion, there needs to be some priority in enjoying the life you’re living rather than driving yourself crazy about avoiding all of the things.
So if you want to start swapping products, where should you start?
Cleaners
Rather than using traditional cleaners that are filled with harsh chemicals, look for alternatives that are still effective cleaners but don’t utilize artificial scents, colorings or harsh chemicals.
Personally, we use Branch Basics. I’ve tried several other brands of cleaning products and have found that even with all the scrubbing in the world the shower won’t come clean. But Branch Basics has worked wonders for us. We use it for laundry detergent, dish washer detergent, daily multipurpose cleaner and on the tough stuff like the shower, toilet and stains too. They also have a whole guide on how you can get the most out of their products.
Air Fresheners
Artificial scents are one of the most “dirty” chemicals out there. You wouldn’t think it but they’re filled with chemicals, coloring and more. I love having my house smell like fall or fresh flowers, just like the rest of us. But limiting our use of things like candles and plug ins has been another easy swap.
We use a diffuser paired with blends of essential oils to get the same effects of a good smelling home, without all the chemicals. Good quality essential oils, such as from a brand like Doterra, are produced directly from the herb, or plant itself. This is a great way to limit chemicals in your home and get some added health benefits as well.
Makeup
Makeup is one of the biggest places we have chemicals hiding around us. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs everything it touches. This means things like chemicals in laundry detergent and you guessed it—what’s in our skincare and makeup.
The beauty industry is particularly flawed when targeting people to buy their “clean” or “organic” makeup. Watch out for their buzzwords and what’s still really hiding in each of these products.
Personally, I’ve fallen in love with a brand called Ilia, which can be bought at Sephora. It’s not perfect but it’s WAY less toxic than other well known brands. Another great clean brand that I use from time to time is called Beauty Counter.
I’ll be honest—I still have plenty of makeup products that aren’t what we’d call “clean” and that’s ok. I practice what I preached above—as I run out of something I’m replacing with a cleaner alternative. My eye shadow for example—still using Urban Decay (which has a pretty scary ingredient list). But eventually when it’s time to buy more I’ll be giving Ilia a try as I’ve loved their tinted moisturizer, concealer and mascara so far!
Tupperware
Plastic, especially when heated up, can leach a lot of chemicals like BPA and other manmade derivatives into our foods. BPA is a major endocrine disruptor meaning it messes with our hormones and the overall function of our body. The Mayo Clinic has noted that BPA negatively affects brain health, heart health and may be associated with childhood behavioral issues, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Choosing glass tupperware, like these here, are not only a more durable option, but it costs less in the long run, and is also an EASY way to eliminate toxins from being leached into your foods.
Wooden Toys
There are lots of reasons to select wooden toys for development, but also to reduce chemical exposure. Kids, especially young ones have a tendency to put, well everything, in their mouths. Mass produced plastic toys tend to have lots of chemicals in them—some of which have been banned in other countries and regions of the world. Selecting toys that are simpler—think wooden or silicone are less likely to have chemicals in them that can harm your kids.
Again, life is about balance—this is not something to drive yourself crazy about. But limiting these overstimulating toys with potentially harmful chemicals in them is great to do when possible!
Baby Care
Just like makeup and laundry for adults, these are things that are constantly in contact with our kids skin which is easily absorbing things into the body. Selecting options like Tubby Todd for creams, lotions and bath products are easy ways to eliminate some of the “dirty products” used for kids.
Waterbottle
Water bottles are another place that bacteria likes to hide. Similar to why we chose glass tupperware above, it is important to choose stainless steel or glass water bottles when possible.
We use LARQ for 2 reasons. First because of the stainless steel bottle which keeps the water cold and clean but also because of its cleaning and filtration system. LARQ has a UV light lid which can be utilized to clean the water bottle without having to literally wash the bottle all of the time. This helps to kill the bacteria in not just the water bottle but in the water you’re drinking too. In addition, it has a great filtration system to clean out things from your water to ensure you’re getting the cleanest water out there. They have a pitcher as well as a water bottle that both make a great addition to any lifestyle!
Grass Fed & Less Processed
The food you eat matters too. Choosing foods that have less “dirty” things in them is a super easy way to bring some health swaps into your lifestyle. When selecting meat look for grass fed beef, free range chickens/ eggs when possible. We love using Butcher Box for their organic and well sourced protein options.
It’s not just about your protein, taking a look at what’s in your pantry is important too. (you can see more about what we stock in our pantry here), but utilizing less processed options is always a plus. We love using brands like LMNT, King Arthur, and Primal Kitchen for some of our pantry staples, which can easily be found through Thrive Marketplace.
This is only scratching the surface of eliminating things your day to day life. One thing I love is the app, Think Dirty. It’s great because it allows you to look up any products you currently use, and it’ll rate how clean/ dirty it is based on the ingredients that are in it. The other great thing is that it’ll recommend cleaner alternatives for you to try. This is how I’ve found many of my swaps over the years, and would recommend it as a resource if you’re looking to learn more.
Making the ‘swap’ to clean products is more than just a buzzword. It’s a lifestyle change. So remember, there are ways to do it that are budget friendly and sustainable. And that starts with not doing it all at once.
Questions, drop them below, I’d love to support you on your journey to cleaner health!