YOUR FAMILY'S DETOX ACTION PLAN — The Big 5

Simple Steps, Real Hope
You don’t need to be perfect—just start.

You cannot eliminate ALL toxins in 2025 America.

But you CAN:

Cut exposure by 50-80% with these changes
Give your family's bodies a fighting chance
Protect your children during their most vulnerable years
Stop making it worse

The difference between doing nothing and doing something is ENORMOUS.

Your children will thank you. Their bodies will thank you. Their future children will thank you.

Start today. Start small. But START.

You've got this. One choice at a time.

🌟 START HERE: THE BIG 5

FILTER YOUR WATER 💧
- Why: Water touches everything—drinking, cooking, washing produce, bathing.
- Do: Choose RO or a PFAS‑rated filter (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 with PFAS claims).
- Action: Check your ZIP at EWG.org/tapwater and pick a filter that fits your budget.
- Impact: Cuts your #1 daily exposure.

🌟 START HERE: THE BIG 5 (Do These First!)

1. FILTER YOUR WATER 💧

Why: Water touches everything—drinking, cooking, washing produce, bathing What to Get:

BEST: Reverse Osmosis (removes 95-100% of PFAS)

AquaTru Countertop ($300-400) - plug & play, no installation
Waterdrop G3 P800 Under-Sink ($300-400) - tested 100% PFAS removal
Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under-Sink ($300+) - certified 100% PFAS removal

GOOD: Pitcher Filters (removes 66-100% of PFAS)

Clearly Filtered Pitcher ($70 + $70/year filters) - 98-100% PFAS removal
Epic Water Pitcher ($60 + filters) - 100% PFAS removal, large capacity
ZeroWater Pitcher ($40 + filters) - removes nitrates & 100% PFAS

Look for certification: NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 with PFAS claims

Action: Check EWG.org/tapwater for your ZIP code, then choose filter based on budget Impact: Removes your #1 daily source of toxic exposure

SHOES OFF AT THE DOOR 👟
- Why: Shoes track in pesticides, lead, flame retardants.
- Do: Add a shoe rack + make it a house rule.
- Impact: Instantly reduces toxic dust.
DAMP DUST & WET MOP 🧹
- Why: Dust carries lead, pesticides, flame retardants.
- Do: Use a sealed HEPA vacuum ≥2×/week; damp cloth on surfaces; wet mop floors.
- Key: “Sealed HEPA system” (filter alone isn’t enough).

Why: House dust contains lead, flame retardants, pesticides What to Get:

HEPA Vacuums (look for "sealed HEPA system"):

Budget: Shark Navigator Professional NV360 ($100-150) - excellent performance
Mid-Range: Shark Stratos Upright AX3000 ($300-400) - sealed HEPA, converts to handheld
Premium: Miele Complete C3 ($400-1000) - certified AirClean sealed system
Best Value: Any Miele with AirClean Sealed System or Shark Apex Powered Lift-Away

Key: Must be "sealed HEPA system" - regular HEPA filter alone still leaks dust back into air

DITCH NONSTICK COOKWARE 🍳
- Why: Heated nonstick can release PFAS.
  - Why: Teflon releases PFAS "forever chemicals" when heated Action: Replace with cast iron ($20-30) or stainless steel Impact: Eliminates daily PFAS exposure from every meal
- Do: Use cast iron or stainless steel.
ELIMINATE “FRAGRANCE” 🚫🌸
- Why: “Fragrance” can hide hormone‑disrupting chemicals.
- Do: Toss air fresheners; choose fragrance‑free (not “unscented”) detergents & cleaners; open windows daily.

Why: "Fragrance" hides hundreds of untested chemicals including hormone disruptors Action:

Toss ALL air fresheners (today!)
Buy "fragrance-free" (NOT "unscented") cleaners, detergents, soaps
Open windows instead Impact: Removes phthalates and endocrine disruptors from daily air

🥗 FOOD & PRODUCE (80/20 Focus)

Organic Food Strategy:

Priority Order (if budget is tight):

Water filter FIRST (biggest impact)
Organic "Dirty Dozen" produce (highest pesticides)
Organic dairy & meat (animals bioaccumulate toxins)
Everything else when possible

Priority order: 1) Water filter → 2) Organic Dirty Dozen → 3) Organic dairy & meat → 4) Everything else as able.
Baking Soda Wash: 1 tsp per 2 cups water; soak 12–15 min; rinse. Works on surface residues.
Store notes: Trader Joe’s & Sprouts do not use produce washes; Whole Foods does.

👶 BABIES & KIDS – HIGH IMPACT

Mattress: Prefer organic crib (no added flame retardants).
Clothing: Buy secondhand when possible; wash new items 6–7× (hot water, no softener).
Furniture: Favor solid wood or secondhand; skip stain‑guards.
Nursery: If painting, use zero‑VOC and finish ≥3 months before baby arrives.
Toys: Wood, stainless, silicone; avoid plastic in sun/heat.

👶 BABIES & KIDS: SPECIAL ACTIONS

For Newborns & Babies:

🛏️ MATTRESS:

Buy organic crib mattress (no flame retardants)
Standard mattresses off-gas for years
This is where baby spends 12-16 hours/day

👕 CLOTHING:

Buy used/secondhand for babies & kids (already washed multiple times)
Avoid new clothes (flame retardants, formaldehyde, chemicals)
ALL new clothes need 6-7 washes before wearing
Focus on underwear especially (direct skin contact all day)

Why? Flame retardant chemicals dissipate over time with washing. One company states fabrics treated with fire retardant are usually certified for one year, and chemicals dissipate with washing

Wash NEW clothes 6-7 times minimum:

Use hot water
Regular detergent (no fabric softener)
High heat dryer
This removes most surface flame retardants

🪑 FURNITURE:

Avoid new IKEA furniture in nursery (particle board off-gasses formaldehyde)
Buy solid wood or secondhand furniture (already off-gassed)
No stain-protection treatments

🎨 NURSERY:

NO painting unless zero-VOC paint only
If you must paint: do it 3+ months before baby arrives, ventilate constantly
Better: don't paint at all or use secondhand furniture

🧸 TOYS:

Wood, stainless steel, silicone only
NO plastic toys in sunlight/heat (leaches chemicals faster)
There is NO safe plastic in the sun

🏠 HOME BASICS (Low/No Cost)

❏ Never microwave plastic
❏ Use glass storage; transfer takeout to glass before reheating
❏ Stainless or glass bottles
❏ Powder dishwasher detergent (skip pods)
❏ Fragrance‑free everything; skip fabric softener & dryer sheets
❏ Wool dryer balls: natural, reusable, reduce dry time
❏ Open windows daily; wash hands before meals; change out of work clothes before holding kids

🎯 6‑MONTH SWAP PLAN

Month 1: Water filter • Shoes off • Fragrance‑free basics
Month 2: Replace nonstick pan(s)
Month 3: Add 2–3 glass containers
Month 4: Buy Dirty Dozen organic • Get HEPA vacuum
Month 5: Replace vinyl shower curtain & plastic bottles
Month 6: Keep swapping plastic → glass/steel

The 80/20 Rule: Most exposure comes from water, indoor dust, food, personal care, cookware. Focus here first.

🎯 THE 80/20 RULE

80% of your family's toxic exposure comes from:

Water (filter it)
Indoor dust (shoes off + damp clean)
Food (wash produce, buy organic when possible)
Personal care products (fragrance-free)
Cookware (no nonstick)

Focus here first. These changes are cheap or free and create massive impact.

📚 RESOURCES

EWG.org/tapwater - Check your water quality

EWG.org/foodnews - Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen lists
EWG.org/skindeep - Product safety ratings
Documentinghope.com - Track toxic exposure studies

🧪 DIY CLEANING RECIPES — Print & Post on the Fridge

Keep it simple. Save money. Ditch toxins.

All‑Purpose Cleaner

1 part white vinegar + 1 part water → Spray bottle
Use: Counters, sinks, most surfaces (avoid marble/stone)

Heavy‑Duty Scrub

Baking soda + a little water → Paste
Use: Tubs, sinks, burnt pans, stubborn stains

Baking Soda Wash (Even for Organic!) 🧂

Recipe:

1 teaspoon baking soda per 2 cups water (or 3-4 tablespoons per sinkful)
Soak produce for 12-15 minutes
Swish or scrub gently during soak
Rinse thoroughly with clean water

Why it works: Alkaline pH breaks down pesticides on surface

Important:

12-15 minutes removes surface pesticides most effectively
Can't remove pesticides that penetrated into produce
Wash ALL produce (even organic has dust, bacteria, handling)

Know Your Stores:

Trader Joe's & Sprouts: Do NOT use chemical wash on produce ✓
Whole Foods: DOES use chemical wash on produce ✗

Window / Glass Cleaner

1 part white vinegar + 1 part water
Use: Spray and wipe with newspaper or microfiber

Floor Cleaner

1/2 cup white vinegar + 1 gallon warm water
Use: Tile, linoleum, sealed wood

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Sprinkle baking soda in bowl → Pour 1 cup vinegar → Wait 10 min → Scrub & flush

Disinfecting Spray (when needed)

1 cup water + 1/4 cup 70% isopropyl alcohol + 10–15 drops tea tree oil
Use: High‑touch spots; allow to air‑dry

💡 Tips & Safety

Don’t batch‑mix vinegar + baking soda for storage (they neutralize). Mix fresh if combining.
Vinegar scent fades as it dries.
Label bottles clearly.
With these basics (vinegar, baking soda, water) you can handle 90% of cleaning.

🚫 Avoid In Your Home

Microwave plastic
Nonstick cookware
Products with “fragrance/parfum”
Antibacterial soaps (unless truly needed)
Pesticides/herbicides on lawn (esp. glyphosate)
Kids handling thermal receipts
Fabric softener & dryer sheets
Painting nurseries without zero‑VOC paint & time to cure
Wool dryer balls are perfectly safe and highly recommended! They're a non-toxic, reusable alternative to dryer sheets and fabric softeners.
Why Wool Dryer Balls Are Great:
- 100% natural - just felted wool, no chemicals
- Reduce drying time by 25-40% (saves energy & money)
- Soften clothes naturally through mechanical action
- Last for years (1000+ loads)
- No synthetic fragrances or fabric softener residue
- Cost-effective - $15-25 for a set that lasts years
Pro tip: Add 2-3 drops of pure essential oil (lavender, lemon) to wool balls if you want a light, natural scent—but this is totally optional!
🧪 DIY CLEANING RECIPES (Costs Pennies!)
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
- Pour into spray bottle
- Uses: Counters, sinks, surfaces (avoid stone/marble)
Heavy-Duty Scrub
- Baking soda + a little water to make paste
- Uses: Tubs, sinks, stubborn stains, burnt pans
Window/Glass Cleaner
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
- Spray and wipe with newspaper or microfiber cloth
- Result: Streak-free shine!
Floor Cleaner
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 gallon warm water
- Uses: All hard floors (tile, linoleum, sealed wood)
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Sprinkle baking soda inside bowl
- Pour 1 cup vinegar over it
- Let fizz for 10 minutes
- Scrub and flush
Disinfecting Spray (when you need it)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl)
- 10-15 drops tea tree oil (natural antimicrobial)
💡 Important Notes:
- Never mix vinegar + baking soda for storage (they neutralize each other). Use separately or mix fresh each time.
- Vinegar smell dissipates as it dries—it won't linger
- Label everything clearly so family knows what's what
- Keep simple: You only need vinegar, baking soda, and water for 90% of cleaning
These DIY recipes work just as well as toxic cleaners, cost almost nothing, and eliminate hundreds of harmful chemicals from your home immediately!