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the low tox living starter pack: where swaps matter the most

in a world where it feels like everything is quietly toxic, i share a simple framework for making your home a little safer, one room at a time. from the kitchen to the closet, this guide breaks down red flags to watch out for and low-tox swaps you can start with today (without overhauling your entire life overnight)!

By Ishita R Mahajan Sep 21, 2025

introduction: the wild world of low-tox living

introduction(given how much time we spend in our homes, it's important to be mindful about the environments we create!)

in today’s world, it can feel like there’s always something new to worry about: another hidden toxin, another scary headline. i’ve definitely felt overwhelmed myself. the truth is, we can’t control everything: the air we breathe, the water that runs through our cities, or what restaurants and cafes use behind the scenes. but we do have some control over the choices we make at home.

for me, exploring low-tox living has been less about fear and more about awareness. once you peek behind the curtain of what’s truly in your home, it’s hard to unsee it. but here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. it’s about starting small, swapping where you can, and making changes that actually feel sustainable.

that’s why in this blog, i’m zooming in on five everyday spaces we interact with the most: the kitchen, bathroom, laundry & cleaning room, bedroom, and closet. each of these spaces hides its own set of “red flags” - the products that quietly expose us to toxins every single day. my goal isn’t to scare you but to make it easier to spot them, and to share practical swaps that fit different levels of effort: starter changes you can make right away, and upgrade swaps if you’re ready to take things to the next level.

so without further ado:

1. kitchen!

1. kitchen(this is honestly the one with the longest list but i think they're very accessible swaps for anyone and everyone!)

red flags checklist:

  • non-stick frying pans → often coated with pfas “forever chemicals,” linked to hormone disruption

  • plastic utensils & spatulas → release microplastics when exposed to heat

  • plastic cutting boards → shed microplastic flakes with each chop

  • plastic storage containers & cling wrap → leach chemicals into food, especially when microwaved

  • parchment paper & aluminum foil → single-use waste; foil can leach into acidic foods

  • plastic dish racks → wear down and shed microplastic flakes

  • unfiltered tap water → may contain pfas, chlorine, heavy metals (varies by region)

  • harsh detergents & degreasers → often contain synthetic fragrance and irritants

  • synthetic sponges → shed microplastics with every use

  • highly refined seed oils → unstable at high heat, form inflammatory byproducts

  • table salt with additives → may include anti-caking agents or microplastic contamination

how to turn these red flags into green flags

  • problem: cooking + storage often introduce microplastics, pfas, and chemicals into food

  • starter swaps: switch plastic food containers for glass or stainless steel; use a wooden cutting board; replace sponges with compostable cloths

  • upgraded swaps: ditch non-stick pans (pfas) for stainless steel or cast iron; invest in a countertop water filter or reverse osmosis if local water is questionable

2. bathroom!

2. bathroom(a lot of our bathroom products have tons of harsh chemicals and heavy fragrances - one to look out for!)

red flags checklist:

  • conventional supermarket shampoos → sulfates, parabens, and fragrances that irritate scalp + skin

  • spray deodorants, perfumes, colognes → contain undisclosed fragrance chemicals, possible hormone disruptors

  • conventional toothpaste → often includes fluoride, sls, and even microplastics in some pastes

  • plastic toothbrushes → contribute to landfill waste + may leach bpa

  • nylon/ ptfe dental floss → some coated with pfas “forever chemicals”

  • shaving foams → synthetic fragrance and propellants linked to skin + lung irritation

  • drugstore creams & lotions → heavy on undisclosed fragrance and endocrine-disrupting chemicals

  • sanitary products with plastics or bleached fibers → risk of skin irritation and long-term landfill waste

  • greenwashed “clean” makeup → still filled with fragrance, fillers, and undisclosed ingredients

how to turn these red flags into green flags

  • problem: many shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, and creams contain fragrances, parabens, aluminum, and pfas coatings

  • starter swaps: choose a fragrance-free moisturizer + spf, mineral toothpaste (or fluoride-free if desired), and a bamboo/ steel toothbrush (pay attention to what the bristles are made out of!)

  • upgrade swaps: swap to low-tox deodorants (salt rocks, magnesium-based); move toward ewg-verified skincare or refillable clean brands; natural floss like silk

3. laundry & cleaning room!

3. laundry & cleaning(as someone who cleans obsessively, this has been a very important category for me to pay attention to... still working on it!)

red flags checklist:

  • fragrance-heavy detergents & softeners → vocs and allergens that linger on clothes

  • detergent pods with pva → marketed as dissolvable, but add to microplastic pollution

  • fabric softeners → coat fibers with chemicals, reduce breathability

  • disposable cleaning sprays & wipes → single-use waste + chemical surfactants

  • synthetic sponges & cloths → shed microplastics with every wash

  • overuse of dryer → massive energy draw + accelerates microfiber shedding

how to turn these red flags into green flags

  • problem: scented detergents, pods (with pva plastic), softeners, and all-purpose sprays load the home with unnecessary chemicals

  • starter swaps: switch to fragrance-free detergent; air dry when possible; diy vinegar + baking soda cleaner

  • upgrade swaps: install a microfiber filter for your washer; swap to concentrated refills; choose glass or compostable packaging

4. bedroom!

4. bedroom(i think a big part of getting a good night's rest involves doing a good audit of the bedroom!)

red flags checklist:

  • polyester sheets & bedding → shed microplastics and off-gas chemical dyes

  • voc-emitting mattresses → often treated with flame retardants, adhesives, and formaldehyde

  • air fresheners & scented candles → phthalates and synthetic fragrance chemicals in the air

  • charging phone by the bed → disrupts sleep via blue light and emf exposure

  • wi-fi left on 24/7 in room → constant emf exposure, debated but concerning for some

  • excessive screen time before bed → blue light disrupts melatonin production

how to turn these red flags into green flags

  • problem: sleep environments often harbor vocs (from mattresses), polyester textiles, and emf/ blue light exposure

  • starter swaps: wash new sheets before use; unplug chargers overnight; cut down screen time before bed

  • upgrade swaps: invest in organic cotton/linen sheets; choose a low-voc mattress; turn off wi-fi at night

5. closet!

5. closet(the rise in fast fashion has created a reliance on some dodgy fabrics - make sure to check your tags!)

red flags checklist:

  • fast-fashion synthetics (polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic) → petroleum-based, shed microplastics

  • polyester underwear → traps heat + sheds microfibers on skin contact

  • polyester workout gear → same issues, compounded by sweat + friction

  • heavily dyed or uncertified fabrics → risk of chemical residues, skin irritation

  • pvc-heavy yoga mats → off-gas toxins, non-biodegradable

how to turn these red flags into green flags

  • problem: fast fashion churns out low-quality garments at massive scale; often under exploitative labor conditions, using synthetic fabrics and harsh dyes that aren’t great for our skin or the planet

  • starter swaps: buy fewer, better staples; organic cotton basics

  • upgrade swaps: natural fiber activewear (👋 builtwithhabit), certified organic undergarments

conclusion: where to go from here!

final thoughts(i know this was a bit of an information overload but knowledge is power!)

going low-tox isn’t about perfection. it’s about building healthier habits one swap at a time. even small shifts - like changing your pan, your detergent, or your deodorant - can reduce daily exposure and add up in the long run.

i’m still in the middle of this journey myself, and i’ve learned that the process is less about restriction and more about freedom: the freedom of knowing what touches your skin, your food, your air. it’s about: the peace of mind that comes from realizing every mindful choice, repeated over time, makes a real difference!

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