The 7 Most Common Toxic Products in Your Home (And What I Swapped Them For)

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At Lineage Natural Cosmetics, our whole approach is about trying to keep things truly natural. So as we took a deeper dive into every day items, we realized that even products labeled “natural” weren’t always what they claimed to be. That’s when we started questioning everything we use daily and uncovering the hidden toxins we had never thought twice about.

What we found was disturbing—but the good news? These toxic products are easier to swap out than you’d think. In this blog, we’re breaking down seven everyday items filled with hidden chemicals—and the simple swaps that actually work.

1. Laundry Detergent: The Hidden Skin Saboteur

For the longest time, the only thing I cared about when it came to laundry detergent was how it smelled. If it made my clothes smell like “mountain fresh” or “clean cotton,” I figured it was doing its job. I never once thought about what was actually in it. Turns out, the scent was probably the worst part.

What’s wrong with conventional laundry detergent?

Most commercial laundry detergents contain:

• SLS & SLES – These foaming agents make detergent lather but strip the skin barrier, causing irritation and dryness.

• Optical brighteners – Chemicals that coat fabrics to appear whiter, often made from benzene derivatives linked to skin irritation and environmental harm.

• Fragrances & phthalates – The “fresh” scent is actually hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to reproductive issues and increased cancer risk.

What I use instead

• Our Coconut Oil Laundry Soap (Lineage Naturals) – Made with only three ingredients: coconut oil soap (which I make from scratch), baking soda, and soda ash. 

  

  
  

• Organic New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls – Instead of using fabric softener, which is full of artificial fragrance.

2. Scented Candles & Air Fresheners: The Hidden Indoor Air Pollution

Back in the ‘90s, I was obsessed with candles—burning up to 15 at a time in my little bedroom and constantly filling my space with plug-in air fresheners, fabric sprays, and wax melts. I never thought twice about what was actually in them.

Now, I know how gross that was. I was breathing in a cloud of synthetic fragrance and petroleum-based wax for hours every day, thinking I was making my home smell nice—when really, I was just coating my air in toxins.

What’s wrong with traditional candles and air fresheners?

• Paraffin wax – A petroleum byproduct that releases toxins like benzene and toluene when burned, linked to respiratory issues and cancer.

• Synthetic fragrances – A chemical mix, including phthalates and VOCs, that pollutes indoor air and has been linked to headaches, dizziness, and hormone disruption.

  
  

What I use instead

• Beeswax candles – Unlike paraffin, beeswax actually cleans the air by releasing negative ions that bind to pollutants. They give off a subtle honey-like scent without synthetic fragrance. Which I love so much.

  
  

• Essential oil diffusers – I can still enjoy different scents in my home, but now I use pure essential oils instead of artificial chemicals.

3. Deodorant: The Toxin I Was Putting Directly in My Lymph Nodes

At first, switching to natural deodorant was rough. It would work for a bit, then suddenly stop, leaving me frustrated and less than fresh. What I didn’t realize was that my body was detoxing years of aluminum buildup.

Then once I learned that deodorant sits directly over the lymph nodes, I knew I couldn’t go back to conventional antiperspirants ever again.

The Problem with Conventional Deodorant

• Aluminum compounds – Block sweat glands, trapping toxins instead of letting the body naturally detox. Since underarms contain lymph nodes, aluminum can circulate through the body, with some studies linking it to neurological disorders and breast cancer.

• Parabens & artificial fragrances – Parabens mimic estrogen, disrupting hormones and possibly increasing breast cancer risk. Artificial fragrances often contain phthalates, which absorb into the skin and may impact fertility and hormone function.

What I use instead

• Our Tallow-Based Deodorant – No aluminum, no toxins, and it actually works. Unlike conventional deodorants that mask odor with synthetic fragrances, ours contains zinc ricinoleate, a powerful ingredient that doesn’t just cover up odors—it neutralizes them at the source. This makes our deodorant far more effective than most natural options while still being completely non-toxic.

  
  

• Dry brushing – I added dry brushing into my morning routine to help stimulate lymphatic drainage and naturally support detoxification. By gently brushing the skin before showering, I help flush out toxins and keep my lymphatic system moving freely—something antiperspirants were actively preventing before.

  
  

4. Non-Stick Cookware: The Toxic Breakfast I Was Eating Every Morning

For years, I used non-stick cookware without thinking twice about it. If a pan was easy to clean and my eggs didn’t stick to it, I was sold. But then I started noticing how the coating would flake off into my food, and now I can't help but wonder—how many toxins had I actually ingested over the years? 

What’s wrong with Teflon and non-stick pans?

• PFOA & PFOS – These “forever chemicals” are used in non-stick coatings, and exposure has been linked to hormone disruption, thyroid disorders, and immune system issues.

  
  

• They don’t break down in the body – PFOAs accumulate over time, meaning that even small exposures add up and can contribute to long-term health risks.

  
  

What I use instead

• Cast iron skillets – I cook everything in cast iron now. Not only does it last forever and get better with age, but it also naturally adds iron to my food, which is great since I tend to run low on iron. Plus, I season mine with tallow, which makes them naturally non-stick and chemical-free.

  
  

• HexClad Cookware – If you’re looking for a non-toxic, non-stick option that’s easier to maintain than cast iron, HexClad cookware is a great alternative. It’s PFOA-free, incredibly durable, and safe to use at high heat.

No more worrying about flakes of Teflon in my food—just clean, simple cooking with real materials that actually benefit my health.

5. Plastics: The Microtoxins That Were Hiding in My Kitchen

I remember buying plastic baby bottles because we were broke and they were cheap. That’s just what you did when money was tight. No one ever warned us about the chemicals in them. And now, looking back, it makes me sick. No wonder so many kids have health issues today—they’ve been exposed to these chemicals since infancy.

What’s wrong with plastic food storage and bottles?

• BPA & BPS – Plastics contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that mimic estrogen, impacting hormones, development, and fertility. Even BPA-free plastics often have similar toxins.

• Microplastics – Tiny plastic particles leach into food and water and have been found in bloodstreams, breast milk, placentas, and newborns.

What I use instead

• Glass food storage containers – They last longer, don’t leach chemicals, and are so much safer for storing food.

• Stainless steel water bottles – No plastic particles in my drinking water, and they keep drinks colder for longer. Plus, water just tastes better out of glass or stainless steel—especially when it’s crisp, mountain-fresh.

6. Body Wash & Soap: The Hidden Chemicals Stripping My Skin

I used to love perfume, and body wash etc, but now that I’ve cut synthetic scents from my life, I can’t even be in the same house as an Axe body spray. When I smell artificial fragrances now, it’s so overwhelming I swear I might black out. It’s wild how normal these chemicals seem—until you distance yourself from them.

What’s wrong with traditional body wash?

• SLS & SLES – These foaming agents strip the skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry, irritated, and sensitive.

• Parabens and artificial dyes – Many body washes contain hormone-disrupting preservatives and skin-irritating dyes.

What I use instead

• Tallow-Based Soap – Pure, nourishing, and actually good for my skin—no harsh foaming agents, no synthetic dyes, and absolutely no fake fragrances.

• Unscented or essential oil-infused options – If I want a light scent, I stick to real essential oils, not lab-made chemicals disguised as “lavender” or “ocean breeze.”

7. Processed Cooking Oils: The Everyday Toxin in Your Food

The first time I heard that margarine was one molecule away from plastic, I stopped using it immediately. I haven’t touched it since. From that moment on, I switched to real butter. Then I started looking deeper into what other oils were lurking in my kitchen, and what I found was even worse.

What’s wrong with processed cooking oils?

• They’re made using extreme heat & chemicals – Oils like canola, soybean, and vegetable oil are extracted using high heat, which damages the oil making them inflammatory.

• They contain high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids – Leading to chronic inflammation and imbalances in the body.

• They are often deodorized & chemically altered – These oils go rancid fast, so manufacturers bleach, deodorize, and process them to hide the smell and make them last longer.

What I use instead

• Tallow & animal fats – I switched to cooking with tallow, butter, and other traditional fats that are stable at high heat and actually nourish the body.

• Cold-pressed olive oil & coconut oil – When I need a liquid oil, I stick to cold-pressed, unrefined options that haven’t been processed to death.

Ditching processed oils was one of the biggest health upgrades I made. My food tastes better, my body feels better, and I don’t have to worry about sneaky, rancid oils messing with my health. If you’re still using vegetable oil, this is your sign to swap it out!

Small Changes, Big Impact

Switching to a non-toxic home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small—focus on what you use most, like deodorant, detergent, and cookware.

The wildest part? Once you ditch these products, you’ll realize how overpowering they actually were. Artificial fragrances will feel suffocating, and you’ll wonder how you ever thought “fresh linen” smelled good.

I’ve been there, and I promise—it’s worth it. Your skin, body, and home will thank you. Ready to start? Check out my favorite non-toxic products and Lineage Naturals for swaps that actually work.

Love, Lia