5 Of The Most Toxic Things In Your Home

As we all know, living a green lifestyle is more than trading in your car for a hybrid and choosing paper over plastic at the grocery store (though those are very important things too). If you are really committed to eco-friendly solutions, you’re probably going to have to reevaluate everything in your home!

That may seem drastic, but toxins can be sneaky! While some products are obviously not so great to have around, like plastic bags, toxins hide in products you didn’t even realize were harmful! Here are 5 of the most toxic things you have in your home!

DISCLAIMER: No judgments passed here. We have all had these things in our home at one time or another. We totally encourage you to do research on the products you have in your home right now to make sure they are safe! 

Plastic Food Containers, Plastic Dinnerware, Plastic Wrap

This is a big one!! We all have containers and plastic wrap for leftovers. And plastic dinnerware is a staple in homes with small children (no glass, no smash, right?). Many plastic containers and dinnerware are made from chemicals like phthalates to increase flexibility, durability, and longevity. However, they come with some pretty scary health benefits including causing damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.

Instead, you can use glass containers to hold your leftovers. If you’re worried about the little ones breaking your good plates and bowls, try wooden dinnerware like this cherry bowl and spoon! For saving raw veggies, this reusable terry cotton storage bag will keep your vegetables fresh longer!

Nonstick pans

We all agree nonstick pans are great. No one wants their food to stick to the pan while it’s cooking. However, what you may be getting when you use those non-stick pans may put you off them forever. According to the Environmental working group, non-stick coatings (made of teflon) reach up to 700 degrees in just minutes, releasing toxic gases, chemicals, and carcinogens.

Since we all also agree that we do NOT like toxic chemicals, we recommend taking the time to search for non-toxic cookware like this de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Pan. 

Air fresheners & candles

 These are pretty common items found in any house. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that potentially harmful chemicals can be found in fragrances. And unfortunately, those chemicals can cause some serious side effects including forgetfulness, loss of coordination, and other respiratory or neurotoxic symptoms. Most candles are made from paraffin wax which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned - the same as those found in diesel fumes (so gross). 

To avoid all that, try these gorgeous beeswax candles. We have several colors to match your home decor. 

Flame retardants

This might be one of the most obvious things to look out for when shopping for your home. Flame retardants can be found in several products including mattresses and bedding. Flame retardants use polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Studies have linked PBDEs to learning and memory problems among other health issues.

Yeah, you don’t want to be sleeping on that. What you do want is certified organic bedding. Interiors Green sells tons of options to help you sleep healthy and stress-free. 

Soap

This one might be surprising to many of you. Soap is supposed to make you cleaner, not put your health at risk. Unfortunately, chemicals like parabens, sulfates, fragrances, and triclosan can be found in common soaps. 60% of the substances you put on your skin are absorbed in your bloodstream. So, that makes it particularly terrifying to use a soap that contains chemicals. 

We recommend organic soap. Switching will not only help you feel even better after a nice warm shower, it will keep you healthier.

Unfortunately, there are a whole host of things that should be replaced in your home. Living a toxic-free lifestyle might seem complicated, but it’s completely worth the hassle.