If you’ve been following along this July, you know we’ve been diving into real, sustainable biohacking—not the Silicon Valley kind, but the kind rooted in how high-achieving women in midlife can reclaim their strength, vitality, and clarity.
We kicked off the month with why strength training is the ultimate foundation for aging well. Then we looked at functional labs—because knowing your hormone, thyroid, and nutrient levels gives you real answers (not just a “you’re fine” from your GP).
If you missed either of those posts, I highly recommend going back and reading them. This whole series is about helping you uncover the real root causes behind how you feel—and giving you tools to do something about it.
And now, we’re turning to a piece most people completely overlook: your home environment.
Because even if you’re doing all the “right” things—eating clean, lifting weights, taking your supplements—if you’re constantly being exposed to invisible toxins in your everyday products, your body is going to struggle.
And that struggle can look like brain fog, skin flare-ups, sluggish weight loss, mood swings, and straight-up fatigue.
What You Can’t See Is Hurting You 👀
When your body is constantly working overtime to clear hidden chemicals, irritants, and hormone disruptors, you won’t see the results you’ve been working for—physically or mentally.
Our homes are meant to be our sanctuaries—but the truth is, many of us are unknowingly living in homes that are quietly making us sick.
I’m not talking about big industrial pollution here (though that’s real too).
I’m talking about the low-level, chronic stuff that builds up and wears you down:
- Synthetic fragrances in laundry detergent and candles
- Plastics in water bottles and food storage
- Heavy metals in cookware or makeup
- Pesticides on produce (yes, even some labeled “organic”)
- Flame retardants in furniture and clothing
- Unfiltered tap water carrying chlorine, fluoride, or worse
- Mold hiding behind walls or in AC units
You don’t have to be a hypersensitive person for these to take a toll. And if you’re in perimenopause or postmenopause, your body’s detox systems are already under more pressure. Hormonal shifts can slow liver function, digestion, and recovery—meaning less margin for toxic buildup.
These exposures can create a perfect storm: fatigue, skin breakouts, brain fog, inflammation, stubborn weight, anxiety.
What You Can’t See Does Hurt You
This post isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to wake you up to what you can actually control—starting inside your home.
The average woman applies over 100 chemicals to her body before leaving the house. Add in harsh cleaning products, synthetic air fresheners, nonstick pans, and plastic containers… and your system never gets a break.
I’m not saying you need to throw everything out tomorrow. I didn’t. This has been a slow shift I’ve made over the past decade—and I’m still making changes today.
What matters is that you start. Because once you know better, you can do better.
And doing better doesn’t mean perfection. It means progress.
My Personal Shift (Why I Became Obsessed with a Low-Tox Life)
First off: No—I’m not a hormone expert.
But I am someone who takes her health seriously and does her homework.
So I’ll say this:
Don’t be afraid of HRT.
The newer research is actually in favor of hormone support for most women past 45, especially when it comes to testosterone—which supports muscle, libido, brain health, and energy.
And no, ladies, you’re not going to start growing a beard. 😂
You will not be taking anything close to a man’s dose.
That’s not how real HRT works. (Unless you’re intentionally trying to masculinize yourself—which is a whole other conversation I don’t see myself writing about… but never say never.)
“But Doesn’t That Stuff Cost a Lot?”
Yes and no.
There are definitely high-end options out there—infrared saunas, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, ozone generators—but I’m more interested in what’s realistic for most people.
That starts with simple swaps.
In fact, one of my favorite low-tox switches was swapping out all my household cleaning products for a pure toxin-free brand, Branch Basics. A friend introduced me to them back in 2018. I love that they’re a female-owned company—and their story started with a mama trying to help her sick child heal. Using their product has not only made my home safer, but it’s actually saved us money over the long term. (go check out their system)
Here are some other changes I’ve made over the years:👇🏼
- Replacing plastic containers with glass (they last forever and don’t leach chemicals)
- Swapping synthetic candles and plug-ins for essential oil diffusers or beeswax or coconut based candles
- Using a faucet filter and stainless-steel bottles instead of buying plastic
- Choosing cleaner beauty brands—especially deodorant, moisturizers, foundation, and lip products
- Upgrading cookware (no more cheap nonstick pans)
- HEPA air purifiers in high-traffic areas
- Dehumidifiers in the basement (especially in humid climates)
- Baking soda + vinegar for powerful DIY cleaning
- Castile soap for floors, surfaces, even body wash
- Fragrance-free dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoos
- No Windex—just a microfiber cloth and water (works perfectly!)
I didn’t do it all at once. I just did what I could, when I could.
Everyday Offenders (and What to Use Instead)
Here are just a few of the most common household products that could be silently sabotaging your energy, hormones, and immune system:
| 🚫 Common Toxin | ⚠️ Why It's Harmful | ✅ A Better Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Tide, Gain & other mainstream detergents | Contain dyes, synthetic fragrance, and known carcinogens | Unscented, dye-free detergents |
| Dryer Sheets | Loaded with endocrine-disrupting chemicals | Wool dryer balls (I love these—see pic!) |
| Scented soaps (esp. antibacterial) | Harsh on skin, disrupts microbiome | Fragrance-free or essential oil-based soaps |
| Candles & plug-ins | Release formaldehyde and phthalates | Beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers |
| Air fresheners & sprays | Contain VOCs and neurotoxins | Open windows, natural sprays, or simmering herbs |
| Nonstick pans (Teflon) | Release toxic fumes when heated | Stainless steel (my preference), cast iron, or ceramic pans |
| Plastic food containers | Leach BPA and other hormone disruptors | Glass storage containers |
| Cheap makeup & skincare | Often filled with parabens, phthalates | Clean beauty brands (there are so many now!) |
| Basic tap water (unfiltered) | May contain heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine | Water filters—pitcher or whole-home systems |
| Old HVAC filters / no air purifier | Recirculates mold, dust, and pollutants | HEPA air filters & dehumidifiers |
| Tide, Gain & other mainstream detergents | Contain dyes, synthetic fragrance, and known carcinogens | Unscented, dye-free detergents |
| Dryer Sheets | Loaded with endocrine-disrupting chemicals | Wool dryer balls (I love these—see pic!) |
| Scented soaps (esp. antibacterial) | Harsh on skin, disrupts microbiome | Fragrance-free or essential oil-based soaps |
| Candles & plug-ins | Release formaldehyde and phthalates | Beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers |
| Air fresheners & sprays | Contain VOCs and neurotoxins | Open windows, natural sprays, or simmering herbs |
| Nonstick pans (Teflon) | Release toxic fumes when heated | Stainless steel (my preference), cast iron, or ceramic pans |
| Plastic food containers | Leach BPA and other hormone disruptors | Glass storage containers |
You’re Not Behind. You’re Just Getting Informed.
I want to say this clearly:
This is not about shame.
I once had a stranger stop me mid-walk to criticize me for sipping from a paper coffee cup instead of a reusable mug. Seriously?
Don’t be that jerk.
We all start somewhere. What matters is that you’re paying attention now.
You don’t have to buy all the things or swap everything today.
Just pick one.
💡 Small swaps. Big results. Over time.
So take this blog as encouragement—not a rulebook. Use what helps, ignore what doesn’t. And let me know if you’ve found a great low-tox swap that’s worked for you. I’m always learning too.
Final Thought
This article isn’t about fear or perfectionism.
This is about the little things we can control.
Because no amount of cold plunges or IV therapy or high-end supplements will fix what’s happening if your home environment is keeping your system on high alert.
And midlife? That’s when we need all the clarity, energy, and resilience we can get.
You don’t need to overhaul your life this week. But you do deserve to live in an environment that supports the woman you’re becoming—not the version of you that’s always pushing through.
Start with one swap. See how you feel. Then keep going.
What’s Next (And Why You’ll Want to Stick Around) 🔥
Next month, we’re going deeper—into the stuff most people don’t want to talk about.
Think: trauma that still lives in the body, healing that doesn’t come in a pill, secret addictions, and truths about midlife that most wellness influencers won’t touch.
If you’ve ever felt like there’s more beneath the surface—you’re right.
Make sure you’re on the list, because I’m not holding back.
👉🏼 Join the newsletter here.
This is where the real conversations happen.
