Going clean, without going crazy.

Where to Begin When Going Clean (Without Going Crazy)

It’s all over the news, in every longevity article, and mentioned on countless podcasts: the call to “go green” or “go clean.” But let’s be real—it’s not exactly easy to make that shift in our daily lives. Why? Well, that’s a topic for another day... or conspiracy theory.

In all seriousness, we’re hearing more and more stories of young people being diagnosed with colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver disease, and strange gallbladder issues. These are all part of our digestive system, and our liver, gallbladder, and kidneys play a huge role in detoxification. Our bodies are designed to handle a certain amount of toxic exposure, but in today’s world, that load has become overwhelming.

We’re surrounded by toxins: in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the products we put on our skin. Microplastics have even been found in our water—and our bodies. So while we can’t eliminate every toxin in our lives (and trying would likely drive us mad), we can take steps to reduce our daily exposure. The question is: where do we start?

Should we begin with skincare, hair products, nail care? Or maybe cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, mattresses, sheets, or even our food? I’ll be honest—I’ve spent years reading about and gradually switching to products that reduce my family’s exposure to harmful chemicals. And here’s my biggest piece of advice: don’t try to do it all at once. It’s expensive, overwhelming, and, frankly, unnecessary. Instead, take it one product group at a time. Replace items with cleaner alternatives as they run out.

Start by looking at the things you and your family use every single day. Have you ever checked the ingredients? Can you even pronounce them?

Some great first swaps:

• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (anything in your shower)

• Daily lotions, perfumes, makeup

I like using the Yuka app or EWG.org to check ingredient safety. And listen—if you have a favorite product you love and can’t find a clean dupe for, that’s OK. Keep it! Make switches in other areas. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.

One of the first changes I made in my own home was laundry detergent. We all know that super strong “fresh” scent from big-brand detergents—you can smell it from down the street. But did you know that the term “fragrance” often hides a cocktail of hundreds of unregulated chemicals? Some have been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and even cancer. (Don’t panic—not all fragrance is bad—but that vague word on a label can mean anything, and that’s a red flag.) I choose to use a fragrance free laundry detergent and I do NOT miss the 'fresh scent' that the others provide, in fact - that scent often gives me a headache. Plus, if you think about it detergent is omnipresent in our homes: the clothes we wear, the towels we dry our hands on, the sheets we sleep in, if there is a fragrance in your detergent, you really can't escape it.

In the kitchen, think about your cutting boards, plastic containers, cooking utensils, and pots & pans. If you wouldn’t eat melted plastic (please don’t), why use a plastic spatula in a hot pan? Tiny particles could be leaching into your food. Swap them for wooden or stainless steel options—easy win. One thing you can do immediately is stop microwaving plastic containers. I know that means another plate or bowl to clean but ... did someone mention dishwasher detergent?

You could also look at glass or stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic, when at all possible - that's an easy switch, too!

Want to know some of the products we use on a regulular basis? Over the last 10 years, I've overhauled my house, Here are a few brands that I love and trust:

Molly's Suds Shampoo & Conditioner

Face Cream: Primally Pure (great lip balm, too!) or One Skin Cleaning products: Force of Nature or Branch Basics

Makeup: Saie and Ilia Beauty

Lotions & Body Wash: Everyone or Earth Mama

Water Bottles or drink vessels: BKR (love this bottle, but it doesn't fit in my cupholder) Kids glass cups, Yeti ,

My list goes on and on, I'm hapy to share ... just ask!