As I get older and especially now as a mom, I have started looking for easy, non toxic and low tox swaps to make in my life. I don’t believe we can fully escape all the toxins, but I do like to make a conscious effort to limit them as much as I can. I am NO expert, so be sure to do your own research as well to make the decisions best for you and your family. **This post may contain affiliate links. A small commission may be earned.**
I’m really trying to think of when I decided to make low tox swaps in my life, I think it really started when I became a mom. I think I started with looking at ingredients that were in my daughters clothes, food, and the supplies I used in my home.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am by no means someone who sticks her nose up to anything or packs her own toilet paper when we go out to eat (I actually hear of people doing this.. more power to you) BUT when it comes to the products I use everyday on my body, in my house, and the processed food I do buy… I have really tried to be low tox.
If you’re starting this journey too, I like to believe it’s not all or nothing. For me the priority right now is doing what I can do. Eventually these small changes add up to be big changes in my lifestyle as a whole. It’s about being more aware and choosing what makes sense for me right now.
There was a time with my first born that I did cloth diapers (and LOVED it), but with 3 little ones and my husband’s schedule – I can barely keep up with the laundry as is. I try to choose better option diapers when we can – currently we are LOVING Coterie. They are a little pricey (Code CIARAD20 will save you), but my 2 year old is so sensitive and these are the only ones that have successfully minimized his diaper rash.
There will be seasons where you are able to do more, and seasons where you might feel like you are just surviving – trust me, we all have them. Make the decisions that work best for you in the season you are in. Doing SOMETHING is better than doing NOTHING.
So let’s talk about the swaps I have tried and LOVED (there are several swaps or brands that weren’t my favorite, but we’ll save that for another time).
Bathroom Swaps:
- Wild Deodorant – Code Ciaradeanne will save you 20%!
My favorite scents are Thunderstorm (smells like Abercrombie), Vanilla Coconut, and Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt. I don’t think you could go wrong with any scent, but those are my TOP.
I will say, this is NOT an antiperspirant so I do still sweat, but I NEVER smell (which is the real goal). Free from aluminum and parabens. A bonus to this brand is it also aims to eliminate the use of single use plastics. So you are buying refills for the deodorant and keeping a cute, trendy case! - Wild Body Wash (for me) – Code Ciaradeanne will save you 20%!
Same as above, the scents from Wild are UNREAL. They seriously smell so good. It also comes in a reusable container that you insert your refills in and then recycle. - Dabble and Dollop Body Wash (for the kids) – I also love their bath bombs for the kids!
These products are all natural including only natural colors and scents. They are super gentle for kids and recommended for ages 2+. - Wrinkles Schminkles – These patches have been a game changer for me! They are reusable (about 15 uses per patch) silicone wrinkle patches. You wear them to be and they help to relieve the tension you are holding in your forehead and help your cells to reduce your wrinkles, NATURALLY. No Botox. You have to be consistent in wearing them, but it’s been so amazing. As someone who constantly battles with wanting some Botox, I am so glad I found this alternative.
I buy the double patch pack and I buy the cleanser too. The cleanser is great to keep the silicone patches sticky and get 15+ uses from them. - Fount Society Skin Care – Code FS-CIARADEANNE will save you.
I have been using this skincare since May 2024 and loving it. I have pretty sensitive skin and a lot of skincare (especially artificially fragranced) bothers my skin. With Fount Society I have never had that issue. My favorite two products are the Balancing Mist and the Water Cream. I use the Hydrating Serum and the Vitamin C Oil as well. The Vitamin C oil has made a huge difference in my redness – here are some results from my own experience!
Laundry Swaps:
- Truly Free Laundry Detergent – You can use code CIARADEANNE to save up to 30%.
I’ve tried a lot of non-toxic laundry detergents and this one is by far my favorite. It actually CLEANS my clothes and smells amazing! They are typically running great deals like GET 100 LOADS FREE.
In my experience, you want to make sure you get the laundry machine cleaner and do that BEFORE you start using the detergent. And for the best smelling clothes be sure to grab their Dryer Angels (both of these are included in the intro package with 100 free loads of detergent).
Because you are reusing the jug, you are also reducing your plastic use (and we love to be sustainable as well). This is a powder refill pack that you mix with water to create a liquid detergent. Although it’s not as “easy” as pods are, its so nice to eliminate those microplastics around the pods that will wind up in your clothes! - Dryer Balls
These are a great way to eliminate dryer sheets, help your clothes dry quicker, and have less wrinkles! Personally, I combine dryer balls and the dryer angel from Truly Free to have the smell and benefits that dryer sheets provided!
Kitchen Swaps:
- Glass tubberware and drinkware – This is actually one of the first swaps I made years ago. We got rid of all our plastic tubberware for glass. The lids are still plastic, but the food is only touching the glass. The biggest thing I make sure is I don’t have the lid on the container when I am reheating the food in the microwave (I know the microwave is a big toxic no, but like I said before – we’re doing what we can here).
- Caraway Pans – Code CIARADEANNE10 will save you!
To be completely honest we have one Caraway Skillet and the full Baking Set. I LOVE the baking set. It is so great, is completely nonstick and comes with a little case to hold all the sheets and muffin tray. We use the skillet for all the nonstick cooking and with proper care we are still able to use it almost perfectly. - Lodge Cast Iron – If we aren’t using the Caraway we are using cast iron! We have a couple different sized skillets and a dutch oven size. I have no problems cooking with a cast iron and I love that it can bake or cook on the stovetop easily.
You can totally clean them with dishsoap – just be sure to dry them every time so you don’t have any rust occur! - Truly Free Dishwasher Soap – Code CIARADEANNE to save!
This was another easy swap for me. The dishwasher soap cleans just as well as the Cascade Pods I was using prior. The only big adjustment was this is a powder versus the pods, but like I said with the laundry detergent, this is a big plus because you aren’t getting those microplastics any more!
Sunscreens and Bug Repellents:
- Mineral Brush On Sunscreen – Code CIARAB saves you.
We don’t always use sunscreen and instead we just limit full sun exposure for long periods of time – but that’s not possible so my favorite thing to use with my kids is this brush on sunscreen. I use this especially for their faces, necks, ears, and hair lines. It’s so simple to brush on and the kids don’t fight it at all. - NATPAT Bug Patches – Link saves you 10%
These are great for kids and babies because you don’t have to deal with any of the sprays. I love to stick these on my kids backs and on the stroller to repel mosquitos. - Kinfield Bug Spray – I get it off Thrive Market (link gets you 30% off your first box and a free gift)
This is an all natural bug spray and it smells so good. It’s my favorite to have on hand for me and my older kiddos.
Food and Supplements:
When it comes to the kitchen, we really try to eat as much fresh food as we can. We buy our beef from a local rancher and store it in the freezer. My husband hunts for much of our other meat. I know this isn’t always possible for everyone, but looking into a local rancher for cow shares is a great way to get higher quality beef at a fraction of the cost. We eat a decent amount of red meat and buy half (1/2) a cow – this will last us typically 18 months to 2 years of meat!
The rest of the foods and supplements we purchase to avoid dyes, added sugar, and gums (as much as possible). I buy the majority of these from Thrive Market (link will save you 30% off your first box and give you a free gift).
- Annie’s Organic Pasta and Crunchy Snacks
- Solely Fruit Snacks
- Late July Chips (the Ranch are delish)
- Thrive Meat Sticks
- and so much more
When it comes to supplements I use Just Ingredients (code CIARABURGAL to save 10%) and Rookie Wellness (Code CIARA will save you 20%).
Everything from Just Ingredients is made with real ingredients and no added sugars. You may not get the same macros as you’re used to with other brands, but I love that it’s all sources from real foods.
Everything I currently take:
- Electrolytes – These literally taste like juice and even my kids can have them *check with your own pediatrician before giving to your kids* (Faves – Guava Passion, Blue Hawaiian, Lemonade, Lemon Lime)
- Protein Powder (Faves – Chocolate, Strawberries and Cream, French Vanilla)
- Maca Root
- Lions Mane
I absolutely love Rookie Wellness for my Greens and Immunity Supplements. I swear since adding the greens into my daily supplement routine I no longer have the afternoon slump or fog I used to have daily.
Clothing and Household Linen
When it comes to clothes and household I really try to focus on getting as much as I can to be 100% Cotton or 100% Linen.
Things we’ve swapped and places we shop:
- Boll and Branch Bedding – Code CIARADEANNE will save you 15%
- Old Navy – They have been adding more and more 100% cotton. I love this for my kids clothes especially!
- Burt’s Bees Baby – They are 100% cotton and great for cute pajamas!
- Pact – Most of their clothes are 100% cotton and I love this option for my own clothing.
There are definitely more swaps I’ve made and I will continue to make. At the end of the day it’s a long game and that’s okay. You’re doing a great job! xx Ciara
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