Let Us Ease Some Stress with these Easy Low Tox Swaps
If you're reading this, you're probably starting to get swept up in the low tox swaps frenzy that is taking households across the world by storm... and don't worry, I am right there with you (and have been for some years!) But let’s be real—life is hectic! Between school runs, work, playdates, and everything in between, the last thing you want to do is spend hours ruminating about toxins in your home (not to mention the guilt that accompanies it!)
I think starting with the easy (& less overwhelming) low tox swap is the best place to start. Baby steps make it feel so much more achievable and as the great quote says:
"Little drops of water make the mighty ocean." - Julia Carney
As we are all about helping busy families make sustainable simple at EcoCubs, we wanted to recommend five quick and easy low tox swaps to help your own home on the journey to doing better (but hopefully without the stress!)
Easy Low Tox Swaps #1: Switch Out the Nasty Dinnerware
Ok- let's just get the elephant in the room right out of the way- of course we're going to recommend getting rid of that harmful plastic and melamine dinnerware from your home! Thankfully we've made it easy 😉
While you might think all bamboo, silicone and stainless steel dinnerware on the market is created equally, you would be very wrong!
Unfortunately bamboo dinnerware is often made with hidden harmful binders, like melamine (containing formaldehyde) which poses a whole host of health risks (you can read about that in one of our other blog posts here). Silicone dinnerware isn't always what you think, as many brands will mix theirs with plastics to reduce the cost, and it's not the easiest to recycle (again, you can read about that here). And while stainless steel is usually a fantastic choice, I have seen reports of the cheaper sets still showing traces of lead, so you really need to be careful when sourcing which ones to buy.
We want to make it as easy as possible for homes just like ours to make this low tox swap. Click here to check out our full range of non toxic kids dinnerware.
Easy Low Tox Swaps #2: Make the Move to Stainless Steel or Healthy Ceramic Cookware
OK, moving on to cooking. Those non-stick pans? Yeah, nah. Unfortunately, they can release harmful toxins and nasty chemicals when they get heated up, and that's the whole reason you use them: to heat them up!
Switching out to stainless steel and healthy ceramic cookware is a simple solution for this easy low tox swap. Stainless steel is perfect for cooking up just about anything, it’s long-lasting, and it’s free from harmful additives. Just make sure as above, you're sourcing high quality brands with high quality materials- always read that sneaky fine print.
If you like non-stick, go for ceramic as there’s no nasty coating and it’s just as easy to use. Plus, it cleans up a treat without all those harsh chemicals. Again, go for the high quality brands and read the materials before purchasing. You want to avoid anything that says TFE, PFOA, PFAS (these chemicals are found in some non-stick coatings and can be harmful) and heavy metals like Lead and Cadmium.
Easy Low Tox Swaps #3: Question your Cleaning Agents
We do have a whole other blog post dedicated to this, courtesy of one of our low tox experts Alannah, that you can read here if you like. But to make things short and sweet for this one, you really don't need all of those harsh sprays and agents in the supermarket cleaning aisle. Most store-bought cleaners are loaded with chemicals that can irritate skin and airways, not to mention their harm to the environment.
It's really easy to DIY your own if it's something you feel you can do. There's a tonne of recipes all over the internet but my personal fave for a DIY low tox cleaning spray is super simple—just mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and a few drops of essential oils (just make sure you're using a glass spray bottle). It works like a charm on kitchen counters, bathrooms, and even windows.
However, if DIY’s not your thing, there are awesome non-toxic brands out there. My absolute fave is Koala Eco. They have something for every room and they smell heavenly! If you're limited to the supermarket, then I think Earth Choice or EcoStore is better than the others you'll find on those shelves.
Easy Low Tox Swaps #4: Not All Laundry Detergent is Made Equal
Easy Low Tox Swaps #5. Ditch the Harmful Air Fresheners & Candles
Trust me, I get it- I have three stinky boys at home (& their dad haha!) Air fresheners and candles that fill the room with artificial scents seem like a quick fix to make your home smell good. Unfortunately, more often than not, they have a bunch of chemicals that aren’t ideal for your family's health or the environment.
Around six years ago, I said goodbye to candles (thankfully I've never been a big fan of the air fresheners) and said hello to essential oils. I did my research and made sure to choose the right essential oils though. As many of the cheaper ones on the market still contain additives and fillers, making them just as bad as the candles! You want to look for 100% pure and organic certification. As a quick guide though, you can't go wrong with Young Living and Doterra.
We now have a diffuser in every room and even in our cars, and it's never smelt better! We even make room sprays (simply distilled water, witch hazel and a few drops of the oil in a glass bottle) that are so satisfying to use on lounges and carpet!
Without the nasty chemicals and synthetic additives, it’s truly been an easy low tox swap that makes my home smell amazing without the guilt.
My Final Thoughts on Easy Low Tox Swaps
Being a parent already comes with enough guilt and I know being a busy home doesn’t leave a lot of time for a complete low tox overhaul. Hopefully starting with these easy low-tox swaps guides you with where to start but without the overwhelm. It’s all about finding small changes that make a big impact without adding more stress to your day. You don’t need to go all-out to make your home safer for your family—just pick a few swaps, and you’ll be on your way to a cleaner, healthier home in no time! 🏡
Have you made any simple swaps in your home? I’d love to hear about them—let’s share tips and make it easier for each other x
https://www.ecocubs.com.au