30 Everyday Items in Your Home That Are Toxic

If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of non-toxic living, you know the feeling.

One second, you’re just looking for a better dish soap, and the next, you’re convinced your couch is poisoning you, your shampoo is ruining your hormones, and your water has more chemicals than a science lab.

Deep breath. I’ve been there. And I promise, it’s not about throwing everything out and living in a glass box (although, some days, that sounds tempting). It’s about knowing what’s in your home and making smart swaps one step at a time.

So, let’s break it down: 30 toxic items that might be lurking in your home and exactly what to do about them.

🚫 Toxic Air Fresheners

1. Air Fresheners & Plug-Ins – These little guys are pumping synthetic fragrance and phthalates into your air.
   ✅ Swap: Use essential oil diffusers or DIY stovetop potpourri.
2. Scented Candles – Many contain paraffin wax, which releases harmful chemicals when burned.
   ✅ Swap: Beeswax candles with cotton wicks.
3. Fabric Spray (Like Febreze) – Just another way to coat your home in artificial fragrance.
   ✅ Swap: A DIY spray with water, witch hazel, and essential oils (always choose a high-quality essential oil).

🚫 Toxic Cleaning Products

4. All-Purpose Cleaners – Most contain ammonia, chlorine, and undisclosed “fragrances.”
   ✅ Swap: White vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap get the job done.
5. Disinfectant Wipes – Full of quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs), which can cause respiratory issues.
   ✅ Swap: Microfiber cloths with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
6. Window Cleaner – Often contains ammonia, which can irritate lungs.
   ✅ Swap: Mix equal parts vinegar and water with a splash of lemon juice.
7. Bleach – Harsh on the lungs, skin, and endocrine system.
   ✅ Swap: Hydrogen peroxide or baking soda + vinegar for disinfecting.
8. Oven Cleaner – Loaded with toxic fumes that linger long after use.
   ✅ Swap: A paste of baking soda + water left overnight.

You can find some more homemade cleaning product recipes here.

Or, if DIY isn’t your thing, I have some non-toxic and low-toxic cleaning products in my shop.

🚫 Toxic Laundry Products

9. Conventional Laundry Detergent – Full of fragrance, optical brighteners, and phosphates.
   ✅ Swap: Low-toxic brands like Branch Basics, Molly’s Suds, or Truly Free.
10. Fabric Softener – Coats clothes with chemicals that cling to your skin.
    ✅ Swap: Wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential oil.
11. Dryer Sheets – Packed with endocrine disruptors and artificial fragrances.
    ✅ Swap: Again, wool dryer balls (they even come in “penguin”! So cute!).

🚫 Toxic Kitchen Items

12. Non-Stick Cookware (Teflon, etc.) – Leaches PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”) into your food.
    ✅ Swap: Stainless steel or cast iron pans.
13. Plastic Food Containers – Even BPA-free plastics can leach chemicals (instead of BPA, the companies replaced it with BPS which we now know has the same effect on hormones that BPA had in the first place!)
    ✅ Swap: Glass or stainless steel containers.
14. Aluminum Foil – May contribute to heavy metal exposure.
    ✅ Swap: Unbleached parchment paper.
15. Plastic Cutting Boards – Can shed microplastics into your food.
    ✅ Swap: Solid wood cutting boards or stainless steel (bamboo boards can be put together with adhesives).
16. Plastic Water Bottles – Chemicals leach into your water (especially when heated).
    ✅ Swap: Stainless steel or glass water bottles.
17. Canned Food with BPA Linings – BPA disrupts hormones.
    ✅ Swap: Look for BPA-free cans (the only company that I trust is Eden Organics, they line the cans with a vegetable resin) or opt for glass-jarred foods.
18. Conventional Spices – May contain added fillers, pesticides, and even heavy metals.
    ✅ Swap: Organic, single-ingredient spices in glass jars.

🚫 Bathroom & Personal Care Toxins

19. Shampoo & Conditioner – Sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrance galore.
    ✅ Swap: Look for sulfate-free, organic options like Rahua or Acure. You can find some other great options here.
20. Body Wash & Soap – Artificial dyes and fragrances lurk in many brands.
    ✅ Swap: Everyone, C’est Moi or non-toxic bar soap.
21. Toothpaste with Fluoride & Triclosan – Some ingredients can disrupt hormones.
    ✅ Swap: Fluoride-free, non-toxic toothpaste brands like Risewell or Boka.
22. Deodorant with Aluminum – Linked to hormone disruption and irritation.
    ✅ Swap: A natural deodorant without aluminum like Soapwalla or Ursa Major.
23. Sunscreen with Oxybenzone – Absorbs into the bloodstream and disrupts hormones.
    ✅ Swap: Mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide. Badger, Annmarie Gianni or Attitude have some great options.
24. Tampons with Bleach & Fragrance – Conventional tampons can contain dioxins (NOTHING you want around very thin skin!).
    ✅ Swap: Organic cotton tampons or menstrual cups.
25. Perfume & Body Sprays – “Fragrance” is a mystery cocktail of chemicals.
    ✅ Swap: Essential oil blends or clean brands like Clutch & Kindle.

🚫 Bedroom & Living Space Toxins

26. Flame Retardant Mattresses – Off-gasses toxic chemicals while you sleep.
    ✅ Swap: Organic or CertiPUR-certified mattresses.
27. Synthetic Bedding – Made with polyester, which can off-gas.
    ✅ Swap: Organic cotton or linen bedding.
28. Carpet with VOCs – Many carpets release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
    ✅ Swap: Wool or natural fiber rugs.
29. Furniture with Formaldehyde – Found in particleboard and MDF furniture.
    ✅ Swap: Solid wood or secondhand furniture (which has already off-gassed).
30. Paint with VOCs – Those fumes aren’t just annoying—they’re toxic.
    ✅ Swap: Low-VOC or no-VOC paint.

Start Small, but Start Somewhere

I know, that was a lot. But don’t stress! Just pick ONE thing from this list and swap it this week. Little by little, your home will be safer, healthier, and totally toxin-free.

What’s the first swap you’re making? Drop it in the comments!👇

Want More Tips? Download the Free “7-Day Home Detox Guide”

Looking to make changes in other areas of your home? My free “7-Day Home Detox Guide” offers simple, low-cost steps to make your home healthier, one day at a time.

Get it here to start building a non-toxic lifestyle that works for you!

Where to Go from Here: Resources to Keep You Empowered

Your non-toxic journey doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

You can stay connected on social media Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram, where I share daily tips, product recommendations, and encouraging messages to keep you inspired on your journey. 

And if you’re looking for trustworthy, non-toxic products to add to your routine, my online shop is curated with only the best low-toxic and non-toxic items I personally use and recommend.

Get started:

– Download Your Free Guide

– Follow on social media: Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

– Shop Curated Non-Toxic Products.

– Read more on the blog.

Just so you know…the links that I share here are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase from one of my recommendations, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you!)

The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any health-related decisions.