5 Simple Swaps That Made My Home Feel Healthier Instantly
Small changes, big peace of mind—clean living doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Hi friend,
If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the idea of detoxing your whole home at once—trust me, I’ve been there too. It can feel like a never-ending list of things to replace, research, or toss.
But over time, I’ve learned that creating a cleaner, healthier home doesn’t have to happen overnight. Small, intentional swaps add up—and they bring so much peace of mind.
Today, I want to share 5 simple changes I made that instantly made my home (and heart) feel lighter, healthier, and more aligned with the kind of life I want to build for my family.
1. Swapping Synthetic Fragrance for Essential Oils
I used to love scented candles and room sprays—until I learned many of them release chemicals like phthalates into the air we breathe. Now, I use a simple diffuser with essential oils like lavender or citrus, and our home still smells fresh, but without hidden toxins.
Marketing over the years has programmed us to believe that we need to have some sort of scent in our home to make it feel clean. But I’ve (slowly) learned to reprogram myself to understand that our home does not need any type of scent to feel clean. While I do have a diffuser with essential oils, I don’t use it on the regular. I’ll use it before visitors come over because I know that most people enjoy pleasant smells when visiting someone’s home. But I’m happy to just have no smell in our home (outside of when we’re cooking) on a daily basis.
2. Trading Nonstick Pans for Cast Iron & Stainless Steel
Nonstick pans can contain PFOAs and PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” By swapping to a few cast iron and stainless steel pieces, I know what’s touching our food is safe—and they last forever when cared for.
Many people seem to steer away from stainless steel and cast iron pans due to the cost of them. But investing in good quality and healthy materials in our homes is also investing in our families health and overall quality of life. And if you’re in a position to ask family for gifts at holidays or birthdays, think about asking your family to pitch in on a couple of nice pans. When we switched to our stainless steel pans, my family got us a set for Christmas as a large family gift for us. When your family and friends around you know that you like to invest in your health, they’ll likely be happy to contribute in that way because it can help take the guess work out for them when it comes to gifting.
3. Choosing Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent
Conventional laundry detergents can be loaded with synthetic fragrances and irritants. Switching to a fragrance-free or naturally scented, non-toxic detergent gave me so much peace—especially when washing sheets and clothes for my kids.
While some non-toxic detergents can be a little pricey for some families, I’d encourage you to make your own detergent. We had the opportunity to buy some non-toxic cleaners, including a laundry detergent, but we are a one income household so when the done-for-you items are not in our budget, I make our own cleaners. (Let me know in the comments if you’d like a simple recipe for a non-toxic laundry detergent.)
4. Using a HEPA Air Purifier in Our Main Living Space
I used to think air purifiers were a gimmick. But a simple HEPA purifier in our living room has made a big difference—especially since many toxins in the home come from things you can’t see, like VOCs in furniture or dust mites.
This is a new non-negotiable for me. Once we invested in an air purifier in our living space I was blown away at the difference it makes. You can see the dust and pet hair on the outer filter on our air purifier and it just blows me away that we were breathing all of those particles in our lungs prior to having the purifier. Bonus is that it collects a lot of our dogs hair from the floor and air which helps me not have to vacuum 24/7 (the joys of having a Great Pyrenees).
5. Swapping Plastic Storage for Glass Containers
Our pantry and fridge used to be full of plastic containers, but I learned these can leach chemicals—especially when heated. Little by little, I replaced them with affordable glass containers, and I’ve loved how easy they are to clean, too.
Long gone are the days of stained plastic containers. I bought a set of glass containers to store our food in and the bonus with those is they are able to be used for baking as well. They are also easy to clean and dishwasher safe if you are a dishwasher user. The lids are plastic for the set we have but it doesn’t come into direct contact with the foods so I’m okay with it. I also use silicone reusable bags in lieu of plastic ziplock bags which eliminates the chance of plastics leaching into our foods and it helps financially do not have to continually buy disposable baggies. Other options I’ve seen are glass containers with bamboo lids, and also stainless steel containers. I might add one of those options to our storage containers but for now, I’m happy with the ones we have.
Why These Swaps Matter…
Each of these changes helped me breathe a little easier, both literally and emotionally. Because when I know I’m reducing my family’s exposure to toxins, I feel more peaceful and confident in my choices—and that peace extends into other areas of my life.
When I make these swaps I make sure to actually discard/donate or otherwise the items that I’m working to replace. In that process it usually encourages me to declutter as well which helps contribute to a healthier and less-stressed mind (and environment).
What About You?
What’s one small swap you’ve made (or want to make) for a healthier home?
Reply to this post or leave a comment—I’d love to learn from you too!
Until next time, keep taking honest, faithful steps toward a cleaner, simpler home.
With grace,
Maranda