Low-Toxic Living: 5 Home Upgrades Worth Considering

Temps are starting to warm up & the days are getting longer. If you’re like me, all this springtime magic is making you feel super motivated to dive into some deep household cleaning! 

I want to help you maximize this energy & make the most of your spring cleaning this year by incorporating some low-toxic home upgrades.

Why? 

Because I guarantee that you have things in your home that are harmful to your health. 

Things that you can easily do something about if you only knew. 

Before we get into it, if you’re unfamiliar with the concept of low-toxic living it simply means creating a lifestyle that reduces environmental toxins in your home so you can feel better & live healthily.

By upgrading even just a few of these household items – you’ll reduce your overall toxin load and begin improving your overall health.

The benefits will pass along to your loved ones & even your pets. 

When you create a low-toxic lifestyle, everyone wins. 

So let’s dive in.

My 5 Home Upgrades for Low-Toxic Living 

#1 Replace your pots & pans 

Toss the Teflon, aluminum cookware & foil, copper cookware, & ceramic-coated cookware. Yep. Throw them away, don’t give them away, Why make others sick – right?

Here’s why they have to go: These pots and pans contain harmful toxins. Here’s what they’re made of:

Teflon is considered the most dangerous of all the cookware choices out there because of the PTFE coating. Although the non-stick coating may be appealing at first, it has a dark side. The coating leaches toxins into your food when heated. (I don’t even get why it’s been used in the first place!) Teflon also produces harmful fumes that can make you feel sick. And you may not know that the same fumes are actually fatal to pet birds! Teflon also contains PFOA which has been linked to breast, ovarian & prostate cancer. #byebyeteflon

Aluminum is a known neurotoxic element that has been linked to Alzheimer's & ALS. When it comes to brain health, aluminum is one of the worst offenders.

Copper is important for human health but only in small quantities. Excess copper can lead to heavy metal poisoning. Even coated copper cookware isn’t safe because the coating contains yet another toxic element – nickel.

Ceramic-coated cookware is easy to chip off, causing cadmium & lead to leach into your food. Lead poisoning is nothing to mess around with. It’s known to cause health problems like infertility, abdominal pain, and headaches. In severe cases, lead poisoning can lead to a coma and even death. 

Are you convinced yet?

Here’s what to use instead: 

  • food-grade stainless steel (does not contain nickel or chromium)
  • cast iron cookware (use sparingly to avoid excess iron accumulation)
  • glass cookware 
  • 100% ceramic cookware

These options will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and decrease your risk of having health problems down the road. They’re easy to clean and they’re very durable. Using cookware made from durable materials that can tolerate high heat, and resist scratches & denting is so important!

This means the cookware will last longer than traditional options, reducing waste & saving you money in the long run.

#2 Upgrade your food storage 

Toss the Tupperware and whenever possible, avoid those darn plastic baggies and other containers! 

Here’s why they’re on the bad list: All plastic containers are made using powerful chemical bonds. So, in spite of what you may have heard or read, there are no safe plastics anywhere. They leach harmful chemicals like BPAs & phthalates into the food – especially if acidic or hot. 

BPAs disrupt hormones & have been linked to certain types of cancer. 

Phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs & reproductive systems, just to name a few.

If you’re ready to ditch the bad stuff and use what’s safer, consider the following options:

  • glass containers 
  • stainless steel
  • silicone storage bags 
  • silicone suction lids
  • parchment paper

These alternatives are all more durable than plastic & can last for years and years with proper care. They’re dishwasher safe, making them super easy to clean.

#3 Replace your laundry detergent with nontoxic alternatives 

First off, toss the Tide and Downey. Those sudsy chemical concoctions are no good for you or the environment.

Why they’re bad: Laundry detergents contain a ton of toxic chemicals. These chemicals are absorbed through your skin & inhaled during use. I’m talking about formaldehyde, phthalates, phosphates, chlorine, synthetic fragrances, SLES, something called 1,4-dioxane… and a few others I can’t pronounce. 

Let’s take a look at a few of them. 

1,4-dioxane is a known carcinogen. 

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen.

Phosphates are linked to cardiovascular disease and are hazardous to aquatic life.

Phthalates & harmful dyes are powerful endocrine disruptors meaning they alter the way your hormones are able to function. They create damaging ripple effects throughout the body, posing risks to the developing fetus, altering reproductive health, impairing brain function, and causing immune system disorders. Need I say more?

Methylisothiazolinone is a neurotoxin & skin irritant.

The list goes on. And none of it’s good. 

What to use instead:

Each of these will perform as well (if not better) than their toxic counterparts and they won’t make you or your loved ones sick! 

#4 Replace your cleaning products

Toss your household cleaning products. Yep, all of them! Furniture polish, toilet bowl cleaner, air fresheners, glass & oven cleaners, mop pads, & yes – even disinfectant sprays. They’re just as toxic as the laundry detergent you just threw out, maybe worse. These aerosol particles are released every time you use them – and in every room of your home. 

Why they’re bad: As with laundry detergent, household cleaners are filled with harmful chemicals such as ammonia, perchloroethylene (PERC), chlorine, triclosan, and synthetic fragrances. These chemicals can be harmful to your health and the environment and can be absorbed through your skin or inhaled during use.

Ammonia, when inhaled, can irritate the lungs and sinus membranes. Prolonged exposure has been shown to cause chronic bronchitis and even asthma.

2-butoxyethanol can damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs, and lead to pulmonary edema.

PERC is a known neurotoxin & possibly carcinogenic.

Triclosan, which is found in hand sanitizers, can promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, making antibiotics less effective. It can also be a hormone disruptor as well as a carcinogen. 

Synthetic fragrances might smell great but they have a dark side. Almost all of them are known or suspected to disrupt your hormones, trigger allergies, damage the brain and irritate your lungs. Need I say more? Manufacturers also hide these toxins on their ingredient list by using the word ‘fragrance.’ Sadly, the FDA doesn’t require disclosure of exactly what is being used to add fragrance to commercial products. 

What to use instead: 

There is hope! Try a few of these replacements: 

And if you’re so inclined, you might also enjoy making your own DIY household cleaners. Start with a simple glass cleaner substitute made of vinegar and water!! It’s so simple, easy to make & inexpensive! 

And now, last but certainly not least… household toxin number 5.

#5 Buy a non-toxic mattress & organic bedding 

It might be time to toss out your old mattress. Most mattresses are made with synthetic materials and petroleum-based foam that’s been treated with – you guessed it – harmful chemicals. 

Why they’re bad: Conventional mattresses are covered with flame retardants and have formaldehyde-producing adhesives and even pesticides to keep the bed bugs away. In short, you’re sleeping in a toxic environment every single night. 

Flame retardants cause hormone disruption, and neurological damage and are known to cause cancer. 

Pesticides are implicated in a looooong list of problems ranging from rashes, dizziness, and burning eyes to cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage. Crazy.

Polyurethane foam (aka polyfoam) is linked to cancer and the development of tumors. Polyurethane also harbors mold and mildew

Synthetic latex is produced using a variety of chemicals and contains polyurethane foam. This can release toxic fumes over time & may lead to cancer. 

Conventional cotton is grown using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

What to use instead:

  • organic bedding, made from 100% natural materials like wool, organic cotton, or bamboo
  • buckwheat pillows 
  • sugarcane fiber pillows 

For nontoxic mattresses look for these brands:

Organic mattresses and bedding will inevitably lead to a more comfortable night's sleep and better support making the time you spend with your eyes closed soooo much better. Non-toxic bedding is better able to regulate temperature, resulting in a better night's sleep. 

Living a Low-Toxic Lifestyle

Living a low-toxic lifestyle is definitely an achievable goal. But don’t try to change everything overnight. Detoxing your home is a process and a journey. It will take some time. 

So don’t feel overwhelmed. Start by taking baby steps. Choose one thing that appeals to you most. Once you’ve tackled one, you can move on to the next. 

Rest assured that with every upgrade you make, you’re improving your quality of life! 

Happy Patients

I have had back issues most of my life. Since starting treatments with Dr Greg I have had no more issues. It's such a relief to be able to be physical at the high level I want to be. I am able to maintain wellness by seeing Dr Greg on a regular basis. Thank you Dr Greg!!

Michael L.

Hello! I just want to say that you are truly a healer! After leaving your office last Monday, I was more able to breathe, truly breathe - after having suffered all weekend to take a deep breath due to a "rib out of place" OK - if you say so....all I know is that, though I continued to have a bit of pain in my upper back and neck for a day or two, I could take wonderful, glorious deep breaths thanks to your treatment. Thanks again for all you do! Even if I do make many sound affects while you are treating me - "OUCH!!! Hmmmph!! Ughhh!! Really???" I truly appreciate your healing touch....

MMW

I have had Parkinson's Disease for 8 years.  I have developed arthritis in my back and hips. The stiffness of the Parkinson's and the arthritis has caused me a lot of pain. Because of that unrelenting pain I was unable to exercise. Exercise is an important part of pain management for Parkinson's.  Since I have been seeing Dr. Krapf I am feeling much better and his care has allowed me to begin exercising again, which has improved my overall well being. In the past I have been treated by physical therapists and orthopedists. Dr. Krapf's chiropractic manipulations have had an amazing impact on my health and happiness. I highly recommend Dr. Krapf to anyone who needs excellent chiropractic care and the many alternative therapies he offers. I would say he is magical!

When my friend received excellent care from Dr. Krapf, she recommended him to me. I have had gastrointestinal problems for nearly 50 years that have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease with lactose intolerance. All that, including unrelieved stress had made me unhappy and unhealthy. Today I am a different person with the help of Dr. Greg. The Gastro issues are practically nonexistent, my stress levels have plummeted, and my body is changing. I am so grateful for Dr. Greg and his healing hands.

Mary Ann L.

Our family have been patients of Krapf chiropractic for a few decades. We have several success stories archived. The most recent event involves our youngest son who is completing his senior year of high school. He has been a patient of Krapf Chiropractic (KCA) since birth. He has been an avid soccer player since the age of four and has sustained numerous injuries over the years. Dr. Krapf has successfully assisted in every recovery.

Most recently, he began complaining of his feet hurting while playing soccer. Both feet hurt - particularly the balls of his feet while running and cutting. He came to Dr. Greg with his complaint as this was seriously affecting his game. Dr. Greg evaluated the situation and decided a foot scan should be done. The finding was dropped arches. My son was fitted for orthotics. They arrived within days and he wore these as directed. Within a few short weeks he is now playing full games pain free.

SC

I first called Krapf Chiropractic when my back was so bad that I couldn't get up off the floor. It's been a blessing to have Dr. Greg help me with my overall wellness and health! I find this to be a place where you are not a number and everyone cares. Mollie is always cheerful and reminds me to come. Erin is always smiling and helps relax me when I'm in pain. I would not be functioning if I did not have Krapf Chiropractic to keep me going. As I get older my appreciation deepens, especially when I see people around me who are suffering with back problems. If they only knew how helpful this is. I believe Dr. Greg treats the person not the symptoms. Thank you

Debbie B.

I've been lucky to have exceptional health care from the beginning. At the beginning, seventy-six-plus years ago, Hugh Rodgers brought me into the world in mother and dad's second-floor bedroom in our dairy farm home. Hugh's son, Hugh, Jr., practiced with his dad and beyond caring for my parents, he, also, cared for hundreds of others and me. Roughly forty years ago, a friend suggested I make an appointment with Richard Krapf for help with back-pain. Richard treated the pain that, often, was debilitating, and on Richard's death, his son, Greg became the second second generation to help me from one place to another. I'm grateful to Hugh, Hugh, Richard and, perhaps, most of all, to Greg.

N.C.

A Holistic Way To Improving Your Health.

We look forward to working with you so that YOU can live a life of complete health and vitality! Get in touch with us today!

Scroll to Top