Surprising Toxins in Everyday Products (+ Non-Toxic Swaps)
When we think about living a healthier life, we usually start with the obvious: what we eat, how we move, maybe even the supplements we take. But the truth is, many of the most impactful changes I’ve made didn’t come from adding more—they came from paying closer attention to what I was already using every day without question. From toilet paper to tampons, cookware to cleaning products, I started noticing just how many harmful chemicals quietly show up in the products we use the most. That awareness changed everything for me, and it’s what inspired me to put together this non-toxic home list with the products I actually use and trust.
One of the first things that opened my eyes was something as simple and routine as toilet paper.
I was stunned when I learned that most conventional toilet paper is made with bleach—and that some brands even contain formaldehyde. Yes, formaldehyde, the same chemical used to preserve dead bodies. Although it’s usually present in small trace amounts, I don’t want anything used for embalming anywhere near the most sensitive, absorbent tissues in my body.
According to a 2010 case report in Canadian Family Physician, brands that are thicker, softer, and more processed are more likely to contain trace formaldehyde. Even small exposures can cause irritation in sensitive areas, and formaldehyde is a known skin sensitizer and allergen, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Long-term exposure has also been linked to cancer, prompting the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen—"carcinogenic to humans." While cancer risks are primarily tied to inhalation, the skin and mucosal exposure risks—like contact dermatitis—are well documented.
Realizing I’d been exposed to these kinds of chemicals for decades without knowing it completely blew my mind. The more I looked into it, the more angry I became. How could something so toxic be so widely used?
And it’s not just bleach and formaldehyde. Many toilet paper brands use chlorine in the bleaching process, which can create toxic by-products called dioxins. According to the EPA, dioxins are environmental pollutants that can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones, and even cause cancer. Some products are also treated with synthetic fragrances and dyes that can irritate the skin and disrupt your endocrine system. Even more alarming, a 2023 study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that toilet paper contributes to PFAS contamination in wastewater. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" and have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including cancer, immune dysfunction, and fertility problems.
It honestly sounds like something out of a dystopian Netflix show, but it’s not fiction. It’s real. And it’s sitting in millions of bathrooms, coming into contact with some of the most permeable skin on our bodies every single day. Excuse my French, but what the actual F.
I first learned about all of this when Lauryn Bosstick, founder of The Skinny Confidential, launched her new non-toxic toilet paper brand on April Fools Day. Naturally, people assumed it was a joke—genius marketing on her end (though that’s a whole other conversation). But the real punchline? We’ve been wiping our most absorbent, vulnerable areas with chemicals for decades without even realizing it. Cool cool cool.
It’s just one example of how easily toxins sneak into our daily routines, hiding in plain sight while we go about our lives completely unaware.
We’ve gotten so used to feeling “off” that things like hormone imbalances, fatigue, and fertility struggles are becoming the norm. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s normal.
I’ve been sitting with that a lot lately.
For years, I focused on my health—eating organic, working out, staying consistent with the things I thought mattered most. But I wasn’t thinking about what I was putting on my skin (like the materials in my clothes) or what I was being exposed to in my environment. I was so dialed in to what I was doing for my body that I completely overlooked what might be quietly working against it.
Things like:
Deodorant
Skincare products
Laundry detergent
Water quality
Cleaning supplies
EMF exposure
Clothing (this one’s getting its own deep dive)
Pots and pans
Furniture
My mattress (I’ve been breathing in off-gassing fumes while I sleep for most of my life without knowing—that one really gets my blood boiling)
And yes… toilet paper
Plus so much more
Even tampons—something I assumed was safe for the majority of my life—were recently found to contain heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and BPA, according to a 2023 study published in Environment International. That one really stopped me in my tracks. I’ve since switched to 100% cotton pads and period underwear, and honestly, I wish I’d made the change sooner.
It’s a lot to take in. But becoming aware isn’t about spiraling—it’s about getting curious, starting small, and making changes at a pace that feels doable.
After a lot of research and slow, intentional swaps, I’ve put together a list of non-toxic products we’ve brought into our home—ones I genuinely use and truly recommend. Everything is linked below in one place, so you don’t have to spend hours researching or second-guessing every decision like I did.
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Just start with one thing. One swap a month. Something that feels supportive. Because over time, those small shifts really add up.
I’ll keep sharing what I’m learning, and I’m always here if you want to talk about it—whether you’re curious, overwhelmed, or just fired up too. And if you disagree with what I’m saying, that’s cool too! I welcome all conversation.
Leave a comment below if you have any questions!
Stasia xx
