As a busy mom, it's easy to feel like there’s no time to make big changes in our everyday routines, but I’ve found that small, intentional swaps can make a huge difference for both my home and my self-care. Over the past year, I’ve made a handful of changes that have helped me reduce toxins, live more sustainably, and feel good about the products I use around my family. Here are 10 swaps (actually 14 now) that I’ve incorporated into my home and routine that have been total game changers:
1. Switch from Foil to Parchment Paper When Cooking
Aluminum foil is convenient, but it’s not the healthiest option when used for cooking. I’ve swapped it out for parchment paper, which is safer, non-toxic, and just as easy to use. It’s my go-to for lining baking sheets and wrapping up veggies for roasting.
2. Ditch the Candles and Plug-Ins for Nontoxic Alternatives.
Traditional candles and wall plug-ins often contain harmful chemicals that you’re breathing in, so I made the switch to safer options. Buff City Soap sells amazing nontoxic candles, and if you’re feeling crafty, Unplug Soy Candles in Fishers lets you make your own. I also love using essential oil diffusers for a natural way to keep the house smelling fresh.
3. Use Paraben and Sulfate-Free Shampoos and Conditioners.
Our scalp absorbs everything we put on it, so I’ve moved to paraben- and sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. These ingredients can be harsh and drying, especially for hair that’s already exposed to environmental stress. My hair feels healthier, and I feel better about what’s going into my body.
4. My Go-To Non-Toxic Sunscreens
Sun Bum and Coola! Sunscreen is a must for any mom on the go, but not all sunscreens are created equal. My two favorite non-toxic brands are Sun Bum and Coola. They offer great protection without all the harmful chemicals that can be found in conventional sunscreens.
5. Non-Toxic Laundry Routine
One of the easiest swaps I’ve made is switching to nontoxic laundry soap from Buff City Soap. It smells great and works just as well as conventional detergents. I’ve also replaced dryer sheets with dryer balls, which reduce static and are reusable. No more chemicals being released into the air or absorbed into my family’s clothing!
6. Ditch the Plastic Plates and Utensils for the Kids
I decided to stop using plastic plates and utensils for my kids and, more importantly, stop microwaving plastic containers. Plastic can leach harmful chemicals into food, especially when heated. Now, we use stainless steel or bamboo plates and utensils, and I feel better knowing my kids’ meals are safer.
7. Bye-Bye Plastic Food Storage – Hello Mason Jars
Along with ditching plastic plates, I’ve also swapped out plastic food storage containers for airtight mason jars. They’re glass, so no chemicals, and they keep food fresh much longer. Plus, they’re so versatile—you can store anything from snacks to smoothies in them!
8. Add Air Purifiers to Your Home
Clean air is a priority, especially with little ones running around. I’ve added air purifiers to the main rooms of our home to help reduce pollutants, allergens, and toxins. It’s an easy way to make sure the air we’re breathing is as clean as possible.
9. Ditch the Traditional Bathmats – Try Dorai Stone Mats
Traditional bathmats can trap moisture and bacteria, so I made the swap to *Dorai Stone Mats*, which dry quickly and don’t absorb water. They’re more hygienic, look great, and add a modern touch to the bathroom.
10. Ogee Organic Contour Makeup
Self-care includes what we put on our skin, so I’ve been loving *Ogee Organic* contour makeup. It’s free of harmful chemicals and gives me that quick, fresh-faced glow I need, even when I’m short on time.
11. Microwave Popcorn → Pop Smith Popcorn Maker
Popcorn is a huge favorite in our house, especially for my daughter. But I started to feel a little uneasy about how much microwave popcorn she was eating and the ingredients and packaging that came along with it.
So, I decided to try the Pop Smith popcorn maker, and it has quickly become one of my favorite swaps! We can make popcorn at home using simple ingredients, and it tastes surprisingly close to movie theater popcorn.
And the best part? I can actually enjoy it right alongside her because the popcorn we make at home is dairy-free. It has turned our popcorn nights into something we can both enjoy without me having to worry about finding a dairy-free option.
12. Traditional Air Fryer → Fritaire Glass Air Fryer
I also decided it was time to rethink our air fryer. Since we use it so often, I wanted an option that felt better suited for the way we cook and the things we’re putting into it every day.
I splurged on the Fritaire, which uses a glass cooking bowl instead of a traditional nonstick-coated basket. It definitely wasn't the cheapest swap I've made, but for something we use regularly, I felt like it was worth the investment.
I love being able to see exactly what’s cooking, and the glass bowl is easy to clean. It’s one of those swaps that feels like an investment in our kitchen rather than something I’ll need to replace every couple of years.
13. Plastic Dishwasher Pods → Blueland Dishwasher Tablets
The dishwasher is another place where I realized we were using plastic without really thinking about it. I switched to Blueland dishwasher tablets, which come in plastic-free packaging and are available on Amazon.
They’re simple to use and eliminate the need for traditional plastic-wrapped dishwasher pods. It’s a small change, but because we run our dishwasher so often, it’s one of those swaps that adds up over time.
14. Swap Plastic Cooking Utensils for Wooden Spoons
I started thinking about how often plastic utensils are sitting in hot pans or stirring food at high temperatures, and I wanted to eliminate as much plastic from our cooking as possible.
Now, I reach for wooden spoons instead. They're durable, classic, and gentle on my cookware, and I love that I'm not putting plastic utensils directly into the food we're preparing.
I love finding these little opportunities throughout our home where I can make a more intentional choice without making my life more complicated.
Making these swaps has been such a rewarding process, not only for my health but for the health of my home and family. Each change is small, but together, they’ve created a cleaner, more intentional lifestyle. Some of the more expensive items, like air purifiers and stone mats, can add up. I recommend keeping an eye on Prime Day or Black Friday deals to snag these items at a discount!