Hello, friends!

Thanks for joining me! In last week's post, I unveiled G&G’s new Scripture Memory Cards — it was such a joy to share them with you!

This week, we’re shifting gears toward something a bit “greener” — simple, non-toxic home cleaning swaps to help make your home environment safer for you and your family. I’ll try to keep this post short and sweet, but since it’s my very first on non-toxic living, I want to set the stage with some broader thoughts. Future posts will be more focused and shorter — I promise!

Affiliate Disclosure: this post includes a few affiliate links to products I personally use and trust. If you choose to shop through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting G&G!

Starting Your Non-Toxic Living Journey: Take It One Step at a Time

When I first began my “non-toxic living journey,” I felt completely overwhelmed. So much conflicting information left me unsure where to start or who to trust. But praise God, He met me in the uncertainty and reminded me I didn’t have to do it all at once or alone — I just needed to take the next step, following His lead.

As I’ve journeyed longer, learned more, and finally handed my fears over to God, I’ve moved past much of that initial stress and gained clarity on why it all felt so confusing. The difficulty in transitioning to a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle isn’t just the learning curve — it’s the overwhelming lack of clear, trustworthy information.

Much of the industry is clouded by dishonest marketing, vague labels, and a serious lack of transparency. Terms like “natural,” “green,” and “eco-friendly” are used freely — but often mean little when it comes to truly safe, toxin-free products. Even the word “non-toxic” is frequently applied to products that still contain toxins.

People often say, “Learn to read labels,” but unfortunately, that’s only half the battle. Many harmful contaminants — like PFAS in household products (often called “forever chemicals”), phthalates, lead, and other heavy metals — don’t appear on labels at all, making it difficult to know what’s really in your products. Some toxins, such as flame retardants, are occasionally disclosed, but in many cases, companies are legally allowed to withhold this information by citing “proprietary” formulas (a word that has quickly become one of my least favorites). While some brands choose to be transparent, others use this as a loophole to avoid full disclosure, making it even harder to make informed decisions about what we bring into our homes.

Even within the same brand, some products may be safe while others contain concerning ingredients — so it’s important to evaluate each item individually rather than assuming the whole line is clean.

It shouldn’t be this hard to make safe, informed choices for our families, but what matters most is that we keep learning and making thoughtful changes where we can.

A Word of Encouragement

In the early days of this journey, I often felt weighed down by the pressure to make everything “perfect” on my own — to rely solely on my own power and knowledge.

But Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

The Lord gently showed me His faithful provision through the words of Jesus:

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” – Matthew 6:26 (ESV)

“...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28–29 (ESV)

These verses remind me that even amid overwhelm, God sees us, provides for us, and protects us. He cares for the birds and the wildflowers — how much more does He care for you and me?

We don’t have to do this perfectly or solve everything today. God has already gone before us. He knows our hearts and the needs of our families. We can take small, faithful steps, trusting that He walks with us and before us every step of the way.

Choosing Safer Cleaning Products

Research shows that many common household cleaners — even those labeled “natural” or “green” — contain harsh chemicals that can negatively affect our health, contributing to chronic illness, hormone disruption, and poor indoor air quality caused by VOCs (volatile organic compounds), to name a few.

Even products labeled “safe” can leave us wondering: safe by whose standards?

One brand that has truly simplified my non-toxic journey is Branch Basics. You may have already heard of them, and their reputation is well-earned. Their concentrated formula replaces nearly all conventional chemical cleaners in one easy kit.

For me, the biggest time-saver was the peace of mind that came from trusting a single, well-formulated product — no more spending hours researching and testing multiple “green” alternatives.

With one starter kit, I was able to safely clean my entire home.

I use the concentrate to make:

• All-purpose cleaner

• Bathroom spray

• Glass cleaner

• Foaming hand soap

• Laundry detergent

Each is mixed in reusable bottles (available in glass or plastic) by simply adding water and concentrate to the designated line.

I also use their Oxygen Boost (perfect for laundry and tough stains) and their plastic-free dishwasher tablets. I was not a fan of their tablets at first because they left residue on my dishes, but they have been reformulated and now work great!

Why I recommend Branch Basics:

• Truly non-toxic and safe for kids, pets, and sensitive skin

• One product replaces many, saving time, effort, and research

• Transparent ingredients with no greenwashing

• Beginner-friendly — great for anyone just starting out on their non-toxic journey

• Gentle yet effective

• Excellent customer service (they refunded me in full for the original dishwasher tablets and even encouraged me to keep them to gift to someone else to try)

While I love my Branch Basics products, I’m also keeping an eye on Meliora, which offers safe ingredients for home and laundry cleaning and even personal products. They offer bulk options as well, making it a great choice for those hoping to save money.

Though I haven’t used Meliora personally yet, I trust the safety of their ingredients and would feel comfortable using their products.

Disinfecting the Non-Toxic Way

While Branch Basics is a wonderful cleaner, it’s not a disinfectant. So when I need something that actually disinfects — especially after handling raw meat, during illness, or for bathrooms and floors — I reach for a non-toxic option called hypochlorous acid.

My favorite way to use it is with a system called Force of Nature. It’s a small appliance that turns salt, water, and vinegar into a powerful, family-safe disinfectant. Their starter kits come with everything you need.

Here’s how it works:

Fill the bottle with water, add one of their small activator capsules, and press the button. Within minutes, you have a freshly made, non-toxic disinfectant that’s tough on germs but gentle enough for toys, high chairs, or even pet bowls.

It has a mild vinegar-like scent and produces about a cup of disinfectant per batch. It stays effective for up to two weeks before naturally breaking down again — no toxic residue or harmful byproducts.

Force of Nature is an EPA-registered disinfectant and proven to kill 99.9% of germs. I use it anywhere I’d normally use Clorox or Lysol. See how it compares to some of the leading brands here.

Final Thoughts

Choosing safer, toxin-free products is less about perfection and more about progress — one small, intentional step at a time. Start small, and trust that God will guide your steps as you seek Him.

Remember, He cares for the birds and the wildflowers, so take heart — how much more does He care for you?

With love,

Sydney