As someone who’s spent years studying environmental science and even more time trying to build a healthy, low-tox lifestyle, I’ve learned that the little choices we make every day carry a lot more weight than most people think. The reality is that modern convenience often comes at the expense of long-term health. Many of the household products we see on store shelves—especially at places like Target and others marketing items as “fresh,” “clean,” or “safe”—are packed with hidden chemicals that do the opposite of what their labels suggest.

It’s easy to assume that it must be safe if a product is widely sold at a big-box retailer. But the truth is, the U.S. has very loose regulations regarding ingredients in household goods. Companies are not required to list all the chemicals in their products, and many of the substances used in fragrances, cleaners, and even toilet paper haven’t been tested for long-term safety. As someone who reads ingredient lists the way most people read nutrition labels, I know there are a few items I won’t touch, and I encourage others to think twice about them, too.

Here are three things I never buy at Target (or any mainstream retailer), why I avoid them, and what I use instead to create a healthier home environment.

1. Air Fresheners & Plug-Ins

Those little devices you plug into the wall and forget about? They do much more than make your home smell like “Ocean Breeze” or “Crisp Linen.” Synthetic air fresheners—including sprays, plug-ins, and scented candles—are often formulated with chemicals known as phthalates. These endocrine-disrupting compounds can interfere with hormone function in both men and women. They’ve been linked to fertility issues, developmental problems in kids, and even increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers.

The problem goes beyond just phthalates. Many air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, which can irritate your lungs, trigger headaches, and contribute to indoor air pollution. These compounds are especially concerning because they linger. They settle into fabrics, furniture, and carpets. That means you’re not just breathing them in while the scent is strong—you’re living in them.

Instead of masking odors with synthetic fragrance, I use essential oil diffusers with simple blends like lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint. I’ll also simmer herbs and citrus peels on the stovetop to naturally scent the air. Beeswax candles are another great option—they emit negative ions that help clean the air, rather than pollute it. And sometimes, the best air freshener is just opening a window.

2. Pine-Sol and Conventional Cleaning Products

Mainstream cleaning products are often some of the most toxic items in a home, and unfortunately, they’re also some of the most heavily marketed. Take Pine-Sol or any competitors: they’re filled with synthetic surfactants, fragrance chemicals, dyes, and preservatives. These ingredients may give the illusion of cleanliness, but they’re leaving behind a film of toxins that your body absorbs with every contact.

Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s highly porous. If you mop with these chemicals or wipe down your counters, you expose yourself to residues that get absorbed into your bloodstream. Some ingredients found in conventional cleaners have been associated with thyroid disruption, liver toxicity, respiratory issues, and even neurological effects. That lemony-fresh scent? It’s usually anything but natural.

In my home, I clean with products that contain ingredients I can pronounce and recognize. Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is a staple—I use it diluted with water for almost everything from floors to dishes. Vinegar and baking soda make a powerful duo for scrubbing and deodorizing.

3. Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is one of those products that fly under the radar. It’s so basic and routine that most of us never think to question what it’s made of. But conventional toilet paper—especially ultra-soft, heavily processed brands—can be laced with questionable materials.

Bleached white TP often contains chlorine-based compounds, which can leave behind dioxins—highly toxic environmental pollutants known to interfere with the immune and reproductive systems. Some brands use formaldehyde to strengthen the paper and prevent it from breaking quickly. Recent investigations have even found PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals”) in some toilet paper. PFAS are linked to serious health risks, including hormone disruption, infertility, and certain cancers. Microplastics and recycled content of unknown origin can also be part of the mix.

This is especially troubling because this product comes into contact with one of the human body’s most sensitive and absorbent parts, which you use to wipe matters, not just for comfort.

At home, I’ve made the switch to bamboo-based toilet paper. It’s free from chlorine bleach, dyes, and fragrances, and bamboo is more sustainable than virgin wood pulp. Even better? A bidet attachment. It reduces waste, reduces TP use dramatically, and makes you cleaner in every way.

Why This All Matters

These might seem minor details—a room freshener here, a bottle of cleaner there—but they add up. Most of us are exposed to low levels of toxic chemicals daily through what we breathe, touch, and absorb. Over time, this chronic exposure can have cumulative effects on our hormone balance, brain health, metabolism, and immune function.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life in a weekend. But if you start by replacing the high-exposure items—the things you use daily—you’ll reduce your toxic load meaningfully.

Clean air, surfaces, and skin contact are all foundational to health. In a world where many things are outside your control, you can make choices to reduce chemical exposure. Swapping out a few common offenders can dramatically reduce chemical exposure without sacrificing convenience or cleanliness.

When you know better, you can do better. And when your daily routines support your health instead of undermining it, everything else—energy, mood, focus, resilience—starts to shift. You already carry enough. Don’t let toxins be one more thing.

References:

1. Jin, S., Zhong, L., Zhang, X., Li, X., Li, B., & Fang, X. (2023). Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds: Concentration Characteristics and Health Risk Analysis on a University Campus. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), 5829. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105829
2. Pastor-Nieto, M.A., & Gatica-Ortega, M.E. (2021). Ubiquity, Hazardous Effects, and Risk Assessment of Fragrances in Consumer Products. Current Treatment Options in Allergy, 8(1), 21–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-020-00275-7
3. Adjei, J.K., Essumang, D.K., Twumasi, E., Nyame, E., & Muah, I. (2019). Levels and risk assessment of residual phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and semi-volatile chlorinated organic compounds in toilet tissue papers. Toxicology Reports, 6, 1263–1272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.11.013