Small Swaps, Big Impact
12 Simple Solutions for A Cleaner Daily Routine
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My personal philosophy regarding most things is intention over perfection. When it comes to products I'm choosing on a daily basis, intention goes a long way. Am I perfect? Of course not. I highlight my hair, I eat red meat, and I drink (sometimes more than I intend). My never ending list of imperfections aside, I do try to be intentional about the products I use every single day.
You'd be surprised by how toxic some ingredients are in our seemingly innocent daily drivers. Most of these products are so commonplace in our day-to-day lives that we rarely think twice about them. But did you know that the average woman uses 12-13 personal care products on her skin daily? Men are not far behind either, clocking in at 11 products daily. The laundry list of questionable ingredients in these products adds up! Per this 2020 Harvard study, most of these ingredients have not been tested to ensure that they're safe for long-term use. The good news? With a little intention, you can choose from a host of better-for-you options, side-stepping the many toxic chemicals and endocrine disruptors in conventional options, and still enjoying effective, beautifully made, high-quality products.
Here are a few categories I bet many of us rarely consider. With each, I'm sharing easy, better-for-you swaps to help lessen the toxic exposure we all inevitably encounter in our modern world today. Also, my friends at Grove Collaborative said yes when I asked for a discount code! So, use Lacey25 for 25% any purchase on Grove.co!
In place of the usual suspects (like Colgate or Crest, the two most popular toothpaste brands in America), try swapping in David's or Dr. Bronner's instead.
Why? Non-toxic toothpastes like David's and Dr. Bronner's use safer ingredients and avoid substances like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan, and artificial sweeteners, which can irritate gums, disrupt hormonal functions, and impact your long-term health.
Like toothpaste, most conventional floss contains PFAs. So, instead, how about Cocofloss, David’s, or Dr. Tung's Stainless Steel Floss? If you prefer floss picks, you could swap in these from Radius.
Why? Traditional floss can contain harmful forever chemicals (PFAs) that build up in your system over time. These cleaner alternatives get the job done without the chemicals.
In place of the bar soaps like Dove or Dial that line CVS shelves, swap in Corpus Natural Cleansing Bar, Dr. Bronner's Castile Bar Soap (peppermint is my favorite), or Soap Bar by The Unscented Company.
Why? Despite the emotional marketing you've likely seen from brands like Dove over the years, their bar soap isn't the best choice. They use surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, mentioned above) and sodium cocoate that can be drying and irritating to sensitive skin. They use inexpensive fragrances (not great when applied to skin), dyes and other additives (sometimes Red 4 and Red 33), as well as tetrasodium etidronate and tetrasodium EDTA.
I'm sure you've seen luxury fragrance brands take the hand soap category by storm. Think: Byredo, Le Labo, Acqua di Parma, the list goes on. But just because they're luxury and look pretty in your bathroom doesn't mean the ingredients have been vetted for toxicity. Quite the opposite! And the ubiquitous SoftSoap you see everywhere? Also a pass! Instead, try Koala Eco, Ten Over Ten’s Hand Cleanser, or Dr. Bronner's 4 in 1.
Why? These alternatives are just as luxe as the luxury options and skip the harsh sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes found in conventional hand soaps.
Dawn has been a go-to in my house since I was little, and for good reason. Nothing cuts through grease or stains like Dawn soap can. But as your everyday dish soap? There are so many better options for you! Instead, go for Koala Eco’s Dish Soap, Puracy Dish Soap or the dish soap from Blueland.
Why? While Dawn can work wonders, it contains ingredients like methylisothiazolinone and fragrance that can cause skin irritation and environmental concerns. These swaps cut grease just as well without the harsh chemicals.
Instead of Tide or other conventional detergents, consider Attitude (unscented), Branch Basics, or Puracy.
Why? Conventional detergents are loaded with optical brighteners, synthetic fragrances, and surfactants that can irritate sensitive skin and leave residue on your clothes.
Scented trash bags aren’t something I think about often, but we just got to my dad's in Long Island, where, guess what? The trash bags were… scented! In lieu of scented trash bags, swap in unscented versions like these compostable trash bags from Cleanomic or these biodegradable ones from Grove Co.
Why? Scented trash bags release synthetic fragrances into your home on a constant loop. Not exactly the vibe you want in your kitchen. Plus, many are made with unnecessary dyes and chemicals that don't break down well in landfills.
If you've ever made eggs with anything but a nonstick pan, you were probably scrubbing after for hours. There's a reason nonstick and Teflon pans rose to fame: they're easy to cook with and, more importantly, easy to clean. The problem is, many nonstick or Teflon options contain PFAs, which are especially harmful when heated. Instead, try a ceramic nonstick frying pan like Greenpan or cast iron from Lodge.
Why? The main concern is that many nonstick pans contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). When heated, these "forever chemicals" can release toxic fumes and flake into your food. Ceramic and well-seasoned cast iron perform just as well without the health risks.
You’re probably privy to this one already, but plastic cutting boards are yet another meaningful source of microplastics. Try a bamboo version, a wooden one from Boos, or even an oak or maple cutting board (bonus! These last two are perfect for prep and presentation. Hello, cheese plate!).
Why? Plastic cutting boards are a meaningful source of microplastics. Every time you chop, tiny plastic particles end up in your food. Wood and bamboo are naturally antimicrobial and much gentler on your knives too.
Instead of opting for the usual suspects (that Charmin Ultra bear is cute, but please don’t!), why not try Plant Paper or this bamboo toilet paper. Even Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential makes a non-toxic toilet paper now.
Why? Conventional toilet paper often contains bleach, formaldehyde, and a host of other chemicals. Sure, they make the roll white and fluffy, but they could also be causing a host of unwanted side effects (UTIs! Hemorrhoids! Vulvar irritation!). No, thank you!
This was another category I hadn’t considered until I had Elsie. But, a 2024 study tested of 40 types of bandages (Band-Aid included) and found that 65% had alarming levels of PFAs or ‘forever chemicals’ in adhesive flaps and pads that touch wounds. No thank you!!! Instead, try these or these from Patch. You might even consider overhauling your first-aid kit with Patch.
Why? PFAS are not metabolized by the body. Because they resist breakdown and are only slowly excreted, they accumulate in human tissues (especially in the blood, liver, and kidneys) over time. This bioaccumulation contributes to a range of toxic effects, including immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer. Read more.
I'm sure you've seen it at outdoor summer parties, barbecues, and sun-downers. Those three letters littered across an unmistakable orange bottle. When the bugs come out, Off! is usually what you’ll find lingering near the bar, ready to douse partygoers in DEET and other harsh chemicals. Believe it or not, there are other options. I love Kinfield Golden Hour Spray (or Wipes), Badger Balm Anti-Bug, or Primally Pure’s Nature Spray as a solid alternatives to Off!
Why? For a deeper dive, see last year's bug spray edit! But the short version: DEET can cause skin irritation, and there are concerns about neurological effects with heavy use. These better-for-you alternatives are surprisingly effective in most situations.
Speaking of better-for-you products, Beautycounter is officially set to relaunch on June 25th. They’ll have a new look and name (Counter) but their mission will remain the same: prioritize health, safety, people, and the planet and establish the definitive standard for clean beauty. This is an exciting return for all of us, and I’ll need to revise the above once they’re officially launched!
Per The NYT, a new study of over 47,000 women found links between coffee drinking and healthy aging. So it IS good for us, after all! I knew it.
Peak peony season just so happens to align with my birthday (I'll be 35 on Thursday!), which means they've always had a special spot in my heart. But you know what? Buying freshly cut flowers (much less peonies) is an expensive habit. Enter Apartment 387, who will soon be offering up their modern, design-forward silk flowers to all of us. I had the pleasure of meeting their founder on a call last week and can’t wait to see the product in real life. Can you picture peonies that never wilt or need replacing? I’m here for that!
I’m very close to pulling the trigger on the Rorra water filter (after seeing it everywhere, most recently on
‘s substack). She shared a link that gets you 15% off… even more enticing. (Do any of you have this? Please reply with thoughts if so!) We’re very happy with our reverse osmosis Beyond02 filter in LA but don’t have the below-the-sink space in Long Island. I think this could be the solution!If you didn’t follow Merit’s SPF launch, it was marketing gold. In late May, they unveiled The Uniform: A Tinted Mineral Sunscreen with SPF45. Available in 13 shades, it apparently took them four years to make. I’m curious enough to put my Suntegrity Tinted SPF on the bench for an inning while I give Merit a try!
It’s so fun to detox your home! I already use one of the healthy swaps in each category and love these recs! 🧼 💓🧚♀️
Excellent list, thank you Lacey. I am doing the same in our household, examining, researching and replacing every product with cleaner, less toxic alternatives. I wish more news of these better products were shared widely.
With that in mind, here’s a great resource I stumbled upon: https://whattheglow.com
The site breaks down all ingredients in skincare products AND makes clear recommendations on toxic-free products; a ton of great information which made it easy to replace the whole gamut of skincare products we use, from cleansers to sunscreen.
Pro tip: the site is focused on toxin-free products for pregnant women, but guess what: there’s a ton of research showing the same benefits apply to menopausal skin. Any one of any age can and should use these toxin-free products.