Creating a Non-Toxic, Baby Ready Home: My Favorite Swaps for a Healthier Nest
One thing I did not consider when I started my fertility journey was how my household products could be impacting my fertility. As I continue to prepare my body for pregnancy and dream of welcoming a healthy little one into the world, I have been gradually changing my home into a more non-toxic environment. This week on the Womb & Wellness blog, I’m going to share some of my favorite swaps - and why creating a baby-ready home starts well before you get a positive pregnancy test.
In Heng Ou’s book Awakening Fertility, she reminds us that fertility is not just about ovulation tracking and prenatal vitamins - it is about creating a whole-life ecosystem that nurtures new life. She says,
“the space around us influences the energy within us. Creating a calm, clean, and toxic-reduced home helps your body feel safe enough to conceive and sustain life.”
When we reduce our body’s toxic burden it can support hormone balance, protect egg quality and sperm health, and create a more welcoming environment for pregnancy. Think of this as laying the foundation.
My very first swap was multi-purpose cleaning spray. I swapped my chlorine bleach, ammonia-based sprays, and disinfectant wipes for simple DIY cleaners like vinegar and baking soda, before I found the Branch Basics cleaning concentrate, this really does not have to be an expensive swap, DIY works great too. Although I will say, Branch Basic concentrate is hands down my favorite cleaning product, it is great as a multiple surface spray, toilet bowl cleaner, and concentrate for mopping the floors. Switching out your daily cleaning products helps reduce the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compound) in your cleaning routine, which lightens the detox load on your liver. When you are cleaning your counters every night after dinner or wiping up messes and spills, you are breathing in those toxins.
Next was laundry detergent, conventional laundry detergents with synthetic fragrances and harsh surfactants were swapped with fragrance free, plant based brands. My favorite is Truly Free, but Branch Basics and Molly Sud’s also have great laundry detergent options as well. We also swapped fabric softener with vinegar, this was actually my wife’s idea, her purpose was to extend the life of our washing machine, but it fit into the purpose of my goals. This swap matters because our clothes are in constant contact with our skin, so reducing residue from endocrine-disrupting chemicals is a simple way to protect your fertility and a baby’s sensitive system.
Then came indoor air quality. The first swap was candles and air fresheners. I removed all wall plug-ins and paraffin wax candles and swapped them with natural beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers, and simmer pots with citrus peels and cinnamon sticks. My favorite brand for candles and room sprays is Primally Pure, the sage floral citrus fragrance is delicious. A little ways into this journey and in making swaps I also bought air purifiers. These are pricey and a big commitment to changing your air quality. I love my AirDoctor purifiers, I have one in my room and a large one downstairs in the main area of my house. Indoor air quality has a huge impact on hormonal balance. Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates - chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity. When we made these swaps I noticed that now strong fragrances give me a migraine and make me feel nauseous. My brother and his girlfriend are allergic to my animals and when they come over they have even noted that the pet dander does not bother them as much anymore.
You don’t have to throw out everything overnight, and I certainly did not. Once I had my eye on what I wanted my next swap to be I would wait until I was out of surface cleaner or laundry detergent to make the swap. Awakening Fertility encourages us to approach this process with compassion and intention. “The energy of your home is felt in every breath. Start small, be kind to yourself, and make space for what nurtures you.” Creating a non-toxic, baby-ready home is not just about products - it’s a ritual of care.
