How to Reduce Household Chemical Exposure

Today's environment demands that we be more conscious than ever. Women in the US are exposed to 80 or more chemicals on average before they even leave home in the morning — from the water we drink and bathe in, to the air we breathe, the cleaning products we assume are harmless, the personal care products we use daily, and of course the conversation we can't ignore: how our food is being cultivated and what it's being sprayed with. All of these environmental toxins can greatly impact our immune, digestive, and hormonal systems. Taking inventory can feel overwhelming — but with time you can start replacing products, reducing your toxic load, and becoming more aware of your exposures and their solutions. Here's a quick and easy checklist to get you started.

Food & Kitchen (Top Priority)

☐ Choose organic foods when possible

☐ Buy grass-fed, pasture-raised, or wild-caught

☐ Wash produce thoroughly

☐ Avoid ultra-processed foods

Plastics & BPA

☐ Avoid microwaving food in plastic

☐ Replace plastic food containers with glass or stainless steel

☐ Use glass or stainless steel water bottles

☐ Limit canned foods when possible

☐ Decline store receipts or wash hands after handling

Water

☐ Drink filtered water

☐ Use filtered water for cooking

☐ Avoid plastic bottled water

☐ If possible, use carbon + reverse osmosis (RO) filtration (Check out: Berkey Water Filters as a great starting option)

Air & VOC Exposure

☐ Minimize time near gas pumps

☐ Ventilate your home daily when possible

☐ Use HEPA air purifiers in sleeping and living spaces — especially at night so you get at least 8 hours of clean air

Personal Care & Cleaning

☐ Choose fragrance-free products

☐ Avoid parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances

☐ Use simple cleaning agents such as vinegar, baking soda, and unscented plant-based cleaners

☐ Avoid air fresheners, plug-ins, and scented candles (Check product safety ratings at ewg.org — your widest resource for understanding what's in your everyday products)

Home Environment

☐ Remove shoes at the door

☐ Vacuum using a HEPA filter

☐ Wash hands before eating

☐ Limit carpets and vinyl flooring — opt for wood flooring with natural coatings or stone

☐ When replacing upholstery or mattresses, look for fire retardant-free options — thrifting and re-upholstering furniture is a great sustainable option that often yields better quality pieces