The Gentle Declutter: 5 Toxic Home Items to Ditch
There are some changes in life we often mean to make but keep pushing to the bottom of the list—like swapping out products in our home that aren’t the healthiest for us. Pregnancy has a way of bringing these things back to the surface. With a little one on the way, suddenly your home feels like it deserves a fresh start too.
If you’ve been meaning to clear out a few products and replace them with safer, gentler alternatives, consider this your invitation. Ideally, this kind of “toxin declutter” happens long before pregnancy—but if you haven’t gotten to it yet, now is the perfect time. Not only will you be creating a healthier environment for your baby, but you’ll also be giving yourself peace of mind as you step into this new season.
Here are five common home items to let go of before your baby arrives, along with why they may not be serving you and what you can use instead.
1. Candles
There’s nothing like the soft glow of a candle to make a space feel cozy. But unfortunately, most conventional candles are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that can release chemicals like benzene and toluene when burned (study by Shen et al., 2016). Breathing these in regularly may not be ideal—especially in smaller spaces like nurseries or bedrooms.
And then there are synthetic fragrances. Many candles are scented with chemicals that can irritate the respiratory system or trigger headaches.
Gentle alternatives:
- Beeswax, coconut or soy candles scented with pure essential oils. They burn cleaner and often last longer.
- Salt lamps or essential oil diffusers for cozy lighting and safe scents.
Find our favorite gentle alternatives here:
You still get the ambience, without the unnecessary chemicals filling the air
2. Synthetic Air Fresheners
Plug-ins, sprays, and scented gels may promise “fresh air,” but what they’re really releasing are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—chemicals that can linger indoors and affect air quality (study by Nazaroff & Weschler, 2004). During pregnancy, your sense of smell is heightened, which can make these scents especially overwhelming.
More importantly, you don’t need artificial fragrance to create a welcoming home.
Gentle alternatives:
- Open windows whenever possible to let fresh air in.
- Simmer pots with citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, or herbs for a natural fragrance.
- Essential oil sprays (diluted properly in water) to lightly mist linens or rooms.
Your baby will love the smell of you and home itself—no synthetic “freshness” required
3. Conventional Laundry & dishwasher Detergents
- Early labor: Practice your pattern, get familiar with pressure and breath, keep it gentle.
- Active labor: Increase pressure as contractions intensify. Many women find the comb especially helpful through the peak of each surge.
- With epidural: You may still enjoy the focus the comb provides for breath and grounding, even if you’re not using it for pain relief.
Gentle Alternatives:
You’ll still have fresh, clean laundry—without the chemical load.
4. Harsh Cleaning Sprays
The brightly colored bottles under most sinks often contain ammonia, chlorine bleach, and synthetic fragrances. While they might make counters shine, they also release fumes and leave residues you probably don’t want around a crawling baby—or yourself during pregnancy.
The good news? Most everyday cleaning doesn’t require such harsh chemicals.
Gentle alternatives:
- A simple mix of vinegar, water, and a drop of essential oil (like lemon or tea tree) works for most surfaces.
- Castile soap diluted in water makes a wonderful multipurpose cleaner.
- Baking soda is perfect for scrubbing sinks, tubs, and stovetops.
- Microplastic-free Cleaning sprays free from harsh chemicals
Multi-Purpose cleaners we trust:
These natural swaps are not only safer but often cheaper, too.
5. Plastic Kitchen Utensils
It might seem harmless to stir soup with a plastic spoon, but many plastic kitchen items can release microplastics or harmful chemicals—especially when exposed to heat. Substances like BPA and phthalates, used to make plastics flexible, have been linked to hormonal disruption (study by Meeker et al., 2009). While many products are now labeled “BPA-free,” concerns remain about the safety of replacement chemicals.
Gentle alternatives:
- Wooden spoons, bamboo utensils, or stainless steel tools that are heat-safe and durable.
- Glass or stainless containers instead of plastic for food storage.
Switching to natural materials doesn’t just reduce chemical exposure—it makes your kitchen feel timeless and intentional.
Making the Transition Feel Gentle
This isn’t about perfection. You don’t need to toss everything in one day or spend hundreds replacing products at once. Instead, think of it as a slow, thoughtful swap. As you use things up, replace them with cleaner versions. Every change you make lightens the chemical load in your home and creates a safer nest for your baby.
It can also feel empowering—knowing that with each small shift, you’re aligning your home with the holistic, nurturing lifestyle you envision for your family.
Our Final Thoughts: A Fresh Start for You and Baby
Pregnancy is more than preparing the nursery—it’s also about creating an environment where both you and your baby can thrive. By letting go of candles filled with synthetic fragrances, plug-in air fresheners, conventional detergents, harsh sprays, and plastic utensils, you’re giving your home a gentle refresh that truly supports wellness.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest swaps are the most powerful. A beeswax candle instead of a paraffin one. Vinegar instead of bleach. A wooden spoon instead of plastic. These small decisions ripple out into healthier air, gentler laundry, safer meals, and a calmer home.
So as you prepare for your little one’s arrival, know this: your home doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to feel safe, nurturing, and full of love. And with a gentle declutter, you’re already well on your way.
References (PubMed/PMC)
- Shen X, et al. Emission of volatile organic compounds from paraffin wax candles and their potential health risks. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2016;23(8):8170–8179. (study by Shen et al., 2016). [PubMed PMID: 26820967]
- Nazaroff WW, Weschler CJ. Cleaning products and air fresheners: exposure to primary and secondary air pollutants. Atmospheric Environment. 2004;38(18):2841–2865. (study by Nazaroff & Weschler, 2004). [PubMed PMID: 15142720]
- Meeker JD, et al. Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 2009;364(1526):2097–2113. (study by Meeker et al., 2009). [PubMed PMID: 19528058]
