Eco-Friendly Parenting: Choosing Non-Toxic Products for Your Home

Eco-friendly parents teach their children the importance of protecting the environment and preserving our planet. They lead by example – and explain the virtues of avoiding single-use plastic bottles and repurposing or repairing what they own to minimize waste. Many parents modeling eco-friendly behaviors also prioritize eating as many locally sourced, ethically raised, and organically grown foods as their budgets allow.  

In many of today's eco-minded homes, parents are also moving away from the cleaning products and personal care essentials they've used for years in favor of alternatives made with safe, non-toxic ingredients – products that won't harm the environment, damage ecosystems, or increase their family's risk of future health complications. If you've been looking for ways to reduce your family's exposure, it's important to know that not all products labeled "non-toxic" are as risk-free as you might expect. 

Topic Overview: The Parameters Defining Non-Toxicity   

By definition, toxic substances have been proven to cause personal illness or injury when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. Chemicals and compounds are also considered toxic once they're linked to chronic health issues – lung damage, cancer, or congenital anomalies, for example. Purchasing "non-toxic" products for your home, however, does not guarantee long-term safety. 

There are an alarming number of "non-toxic" substances commonly used in multiple industries linked to metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, congenital anomalies, cognitive decline, and more. Most have been around for years –decades even. In other words, you need to watch for artificial fragrances, foaming agents, dyes, and chemical preservatives – ingredients you'll find in many "non-toxic" products.¹  

Non-Toxic Shopping: Choosing Products Aligned with Your Health and Wellness Goals  

As you dig deeper into your search, you'll probably find that your family is exposed to multiple toxins every day from common household products you've always felt comfortable using. Plastic storage containers, for example, can leach potentially harmful chemicals into prepped meals and leftovers. Many household cleaning products leave a residue on surfaces that can be absorbed through your skin. Even your furniture, carpeting, and area rugs can release chemicals into the air you breathe. 

As if that weren't enough, only a small fraction of the lab-created chemicals and compounds used by the beauty and personal care industries – ingredients in products you've probably used most of your life – have never been evaluated for consumer safety or their environmental impact. What can you do to protect your family? Look for certifications – USDA Organic, non-GMO, and EWG Verified, for example.² Then, consider compiling a list of the potentially harmful substances you want to avoid and check product labels. The following examples could be a good place to start. 

Formaldehyde  

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals are often used to prevent mold, decay, and deterioration in various materials. A chemical most often found in numerous consumer goods, including carpeting, furniture, hair-smoothing products, baby shampoo, and nail polish, off-gassed formaldehyde is linked to an alarming number of health concerns. To minimize your exposure, you'll also want to avoid products with glyoxal, bromopol, quanterium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, and DMDM hydantoin.³ 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate  

Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) is a potentially irritating foaming agent and surfactant used in liquid soap, body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, and laundry detergent.⁴ SLS is also used to make marshmallows fluffier, dried egg products lighter, and to help blend acidic juices.⁵ Several sources suggest SLES, an SLS derivative, is often contaminated with ethylene oxide and dioxane – substances linked to human health risks and environmental damage.⁶

Phthalates  

Phthalates are often used to increase the flexibility and durability of the plastics used to make children's toys, teething rings, vinyl flooring, furniture, and wall coverings. Researchers have also found high concentrations in mineral water, soft drinks, processed foods, and personal care products and household cleaners with added fragrances. Although phthalates are associated with multiple concerns, fragrance manufacturers are not required to divulge their use.⁷

Making the Transition: Incorporating Non-Toxic Products into Your Daily Life   

There are multiple ways to reduce the number of toxins in your home. It's about being mindful of the products you select and how they could impact your family's well-being. You don't have to overhaul your entire lifestyle. That's way too much pressure. Instead, we suggest prioritizing progress over perfection until you achieve the balance that's right for you.  

Make Gradual Changes  

Instead of replacing your cleaning products, personal care items, plastic toys, and floor coverings all at once, make gradual changes. Try thinking of every household item replaced by a non-toxic equivalent as a step in the right direction. Not only will the transition be less stressful, you'll be giving yourself time to explore alternatives, compare prices, and minimize waste.⁸

Swap Plastic for Glass or Stainless Steel  

Glass storage containers are safe and non-toxic. They don't leach chemicals into your food or absorb odor-causing bacteria. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is easy to clean, and practically indestructible. If you have young children and are hesitant to replace your plastic cups, you may want to try bamboo. Eco-friendly bamboo cups are lightweight, durable, biodegradable, and can last several years.   

Make Your Own Non-Toxic Household Cleaners  

You can use baking soda and vinegar to replace multiple commercial cleaning products. They're completely non-toxic, won't break your budget, and are safe for the environment. With minimal effort, you'll find numerous sources with tips on using them in combination and on their own. You can even use a solution of one part baking soda to two parts vinegar to replace toxic drain cleaners.⁹

Choose Products Made with Sustainable Ingredients  

If plans to minimize the number of toxins in your home include replacing chemical-laden products with alternatives made with natural botanicals, consider the sustainability of the ingredients in each formulation. Transparent, eco-friendly brands share their sourcing practices and production methods while demonstrating respect for the environment and a commitment to preserving complex ecosystems. 

Why Parents Prioritizing Eco-Sustainability Choose Hemp-Derived Products  

Industrial hemp is an environmentally friendly plant that requires fewer resources than most crops. Hemp seeds are highly nutritious, the stalks are a valued source of strong, durable fiber and sustainable textiles, hemp pulp is used to make eco-friendly paper, and the oil extracted from hemp is used to create an impressive assortment of products with considerable health and wellness potential – products that support numerous aspects of overall well-being with CBD. 

CBD (cannabidiol) is just one of more than 113 potentially beneficial cannabinoids in hemp flower. Parents adding high-quality CBD products to their daily routines report and impressive list of possible benefits most researchers credit to the cannabinoid's interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors – molecular targets involved in nearly every crucial function in the human body. 

The list includes stress responses, immune system function, emotional regulation, muscle movement, and the perception of pain and pleasure.¹⁰ Based on decades of study, most experts believe supporting ECS function with CBD promotes homeostasis – meaning it helps restore equilibrium naturally when internal or external stressors threaten essential balance.¹¹    

Discover Why Eco-Conscious Parents Choose CBDistillery® Hemp-Derived CBD Products.  

CBDistillery® CBD oil tinctures, softgels, topicals, and gummies are made with non-GMO, U.S.-grown hemp. Our crops are cultivated without chemicals or organic pesticides, and our full spectrum (and broad spectrum) hemp oil is CO2 extracted. That's an important distinction for eco-minded parents. CO2 extraction methods do not harm the environment or leave toxic residue or harmful waste behind. Plus, it's the best choice for preserving hemp's many cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.^{12, 13}

Eco-conscious parents nationwide – people concerned about toxins – appreciate our commitment to providing ethically sourced, third-party tested CBD products made with 100% clean ingredients. Plus, our hemp-derived products have a solid reputation for helping busy parents achieve their wellness goals. Take the results of our 2019 survey, for example. Of the 1,900 CBDistillery® customers responding, most report positive results for relaxation, better sleep, calming mild or temporary anxiety, and pain stiffness and inflammation after physical activity within 7-14 days of consistent use. 

Although CBD is a safe, natural product that carries no risk of chemical dependency, consult your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition or take medication. If you're interested in trying CBD but not quite sure where to start, don't hesitate to request a personal consultation. 

References 

1. Non-Toxic vs Toxin Free: Which One is Better for Your Health? (2022) Raise Them Well. 

2. Marie J. Certified Non-Toxic Clean Beauty: 5 Certifications You Need to Know. Keep It Simple.Lovely 

3. Formaldehyde And Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (N.D.) Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. 

4. MacLeman E. (2022) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Is It Really As Bad As Everyone Says?. The Derm Review. 

5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). (2022) Chemical Safety Facts.org. 

6. The Dirty Dozen: Sodium Laureth Sulfate. (N.D.) David Suzuki Foundation. 

7. Barham L. (2022) Are Phthalates in Plastic Safe? Verywell Health. 

8. (2019) A Beginners Guide to Toxin Free Living. Naturally Made Mom. 

9. Harris C, Odle T. (2022) 10 Surprisingly Effective Ways to Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar. Bob Vila.com. 

10. Marzo V, Piscitelli F. (2015) The Endocannabinoid System and Its Modulation by Phytocannabinoids. 12, Neurotherapeutics 692-98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0374-6 

11. Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

12. Valizadehderakhshan M, Shahbazi A, et al. (2021) Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp)—Review. 11(5) Agriculture 384. ttps://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050384 

13. Oleinik G. (2024) CBD Extraction Methods: CO2, Ethanol, and More Explained. CBDThinker.