How To Go Toxin-Free (without losing your sanity)

So, you've decided you want to live a more natural, toxin-free life... now what? Embracing a "crunchy" lifestyle touches nearly every decision you make, which can feel overwhelming at first. But don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be.

Setting Your Own Standards

This might be the most important advice you’ll read on this topic. Before diving in, understand these fundamental truths to protect your mind and avoid unnecessary stress:

• Perfection is Impossible: We live in a modern world full of modern toxins. Thankfully, our bodies are amazing at defending themselves—that’s why we have a liver and an immune system! Don’t stress about occasional exposures. It’s not about eliminating every toxin; it’s about minimizing what you can so your body doesn't have to work so hard.
• There’s No Universal Definition of “Clean”: Everyone’s idea of “clean” is different. Some focus on avoiding hormone disruptors and carcinogens, while others prioritize avoiding water pollutants or ingredients harmful to aquatic life. Some only want all-natural ingredients, while others are fine with safe synthetics. Because there’s no single standard, you’ll encounter conflicting opinions and debates. Even the scan apps don't agree!
• Beware of Fear Mongering: In a world of clickbait and flashy social media, fear sells. But not every bold claim is backed by facts. When you encounter alarming posts or ads, take a step back and look for sources or data. Are the claims supported by evidence? Is the context clear? Support accounts and brands that provide credible information and avoid those that prey on emotions without substance.
• Check Your Toxic Personality: Don't exchange your toxic products for a toxic personality. If you find yourself calling out Aunt May’s plug-ins at every family gathering or hearing your kids tell their friends their lunches are "poison," it might be time for a self-check (I say this with love). Toxin-free living touches nearly every aspect of our lives, but it’s all too easy to let judgmental or harsh dialogue slip into our homes. Remember, kindness and understanding are just as important as the products you choose to avoid. Choose compassion over criticism, always.

When you understand these truths, you’ll come to one crucial conclusion: you need to set your own standards. Having clear, personal guidelines protects your mental health and helps you make informed choices, even when opinions conflict. Decide what matters most to you and grow from there.

Progress, not perfection, is the goal. Many people transition from bad to better to best over time, and that’s perfectly okay. Even as someone who owns a toxin-free shop, I’m still learning every day. Be kind to yourself and others, and keep moving forward.

Focus on your Daily Toxic Load

The key to going non-toxic is to focus on reducing your daily toxic load. While our bodies are capable of detoxifying on their own, we don’t want them to work harder than necessary. Research shows that it is usually the repeated and high exposure to toxins that causes health issues, not so much the occasional exposure. That’s why at Crunchy & Co., we emphasize minimizing daily exposure to toxins and our shop features boring, everyday essentials because those are the ones that matter most! 

Where to Start on Your Toxin-Free Journey

There are some fundamental places you can start to kick start cleaner living and get some quick wins right away. Here’s how to go non-toxic without losing your sanity. Note: This article may contain affiliate links.

Start with Your Diet

The easiest and most impactful place to begin is with your diet. What you eat fuels your body, and food can either heal or harm. While nutrition facts matter, start by focusing on the ingredient list—it reveals far more about the quality of your food. It is estimated that 74% of the US food supply is now processed food. Choose wisely.

Here are some practical tips for shopping more mindfully that you can implement on your next grocery run:

• Shop the outer aisles of your grocery store, where you’re more likely to find whole, unprocessed foods.
• Avoid the middle aisles where most processed foods are found.
• Support local farmers who often provide more nutrient-dense and less processed foods.
• Choose foods in their most natural state. For example, if you’re buying frozen broccoli, opt for plain broccoli instead of ones with added sauces or flavorings.
• Ditch the seed oils and opt for healthier oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, ghee, and tallow.
• Buy organic when possible to avoid pesticide residues. If you’re on a budget, refer to the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list to prioritize which items to buy organic.
• Read your labels. Download our free toxic ingredient cheat sheet so you know what to avoid.

If you're having trouble locating a local farm in your area, check out My Health Forward's amazing local farm map. If you don’t have access to organic options locally, consider a Thrive Market membership or look for organic foods available on Amazon. Here are a few other tips on detoxing your diet.

Update Your Cookware

Cleaning up your diet is great, but cooking it on toxin-laden cookware defeats the purpose. Non-stick pans often contain forever chemicals (PFAS) or heavy metals, even when marketed as “PFOS-free” or “healthy ceramic.” These claims can be misleading.

Stick to stainless steel, cast iron, or glass for the safest cookware and bakeware options. Be cautious with wood (toxic glues) and silicone (fillers and leaching) and always choose high-quality options from trusted brands.

You don’t have to replace your entire set immediately. Start with your most-used items, like a frying pan or pot, and replace others as needed. Check out our shopping guides for more direction. You may also enjoy this short article on detoxing your kitchen.

Filter Your Water

Water is life, but it’s often contaminated with heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, PFAS, bacteria, and even pharmaceutical residues. Filtering your water is essential for reducing exposure to these toxins.

You can check your area’s water quality against EWG’s standards to understand what you’re drinking. Water filters that effectively remove PFAS (forever chemicals) and common toxins come in various price ranges. You will also want to look for a water filter that is either NSF-certified or certified up to NSF standards. Check out our article on How To Buy The Best Water Filter to learn what to look for.

Ditch the Fragrance

One of the simplest ways to reduce toxins is to avoid products labeled with fragrance. Fragrance formulations can contain over 3,500 unregulated chemicals, many of which are hormone disruptors, carcinogens, VOCs, or allergens. They also contribute to poor indoor air quality, potentially causing brain fog, migraines, or respiratory issues. Stop bringing fragrance into your home and you will start to notice a difference in your mental clarity. 

Additionally, products with fragrance often contain other concerning ingredients. Avoiding products with fragrance can be a simple first step toward making better choices. Look for unscented or naturally fragranced alternatives instead.

What About the Rest?

From skincare to cosmetics, bedding, and clothing, the list of products to consider can feel endless. It's enough to drive a person mad! To avoid overwhelm, prioritize the items you use most often or those with the most direct impact and make a list. 

Higher on the priority list should be products you: use everyday, use in large quantities, apply directly to your skin, or that affects your air quality. 

Some items you might want to replace right away, others you might wait until your current toxic product runs out. Do what you can with what you have. I personally do not usually support trashing all your current products at once. I don't like to be wasteful, and unless you are currently healing from a serious illness and need an immediate change, then doing a 180 overnight is not necessary. The point is to start and keep going. You'll be surprised at how far you've come even just one year from now.

Final Thoughts

Going non-toxic is a journey, not a destination. Start with easy wins—clean up your diet, update your cookware, filter your water, and ditch fragrance. Then tackle other changes as you feel ready or as your current products run out.

When you’re ready to start making swaps, we hope you will check out Crunchy & Co,. for toxin-free essentials. We’ve done the hard work of vetting products with the highest safety standards, supporting small business brands delivering exceptional performance, and bringing them all together in a one-stop shop.

Remember, every small step you take is a step toward a healthier, toxin-free life. You don’t have to do it all at once—just start.

If you haven’t explored our free guides, they can be very helpful in getting you started. Our resources are always free and never behind a paywall.

You’ve got this! 💪