How I Use an App to Detox My Home One Product at a Time

A year ago, if you opened my cleaning cabinet or peeked inside my pantry, you’d find a mix of name-brand sprays, colorful packaging, and honestly… a lot of things I couldn’t pronounce on the label. I knew I wanted to move toward a cleaner, more natural lifestyle, but I didn’t know where to start.

Then I downloaded a free app that rates product ingredients—and it’s changed everything.

The App That Got Me Started

The app I use most is called the EWG Healthy Living App, made by the Environmental Working Group. It lets you scan barcodes or search for household products, food, and personal care items—and then gives you a score based on health concerns like toxicity, allergens, and ingredient transparency.

There’s also Yuka, which works similarly but is a bit more user-friendly for pantry items. Between the two, I’ve been able to slowly swap things out without stressing over every single label.

What I Started With

Instead of overhauling everything overnight (which, let’s be real, isn’t affordable or sustainable), I focused on a few high-use areas first:

• All-purpose cleaner: I swapped out my chemical-heavy spray for a plant-based one that scored a “1” on the app.

• Hand soap: Turns out, some popular brands were full of fragrance allergens and preservatives. I switched to one with just a few ingredients I could actually understand.

• Hand Lotion: This one surprised me—my go-to product had several hormone-disrupting chemicals. I replaced it with a clean, fragrance-free option I now love.

Pantry Surprises

Once I got into a groove, I started checking my pantry. The app flags things like additives, dyes, and preservatives. I found a few pantry staples (like crackers and sauces) that seemed innocent but were hiding some pretty questionable ingredients.

I’ve slowly swapped to better alternatives—sometimes it’s as easy as changing brands.

What I’ve Learned

1. You don’t have to be perfect. I still have a few “less clean” things in my house, but I’m a lot more intentional now.

2. Marketing can be misleading. “Natural” and “green” don’t always mean safe.

3. Small steps add up. Even changing a few products has made my space feel healthier—and I feel more confident about what I’m bringing into my home.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t detox my home in a weekend, and I’m still working through it. But using an app to guide my choices has made the process way easier. I don’t have to memorize every harmful ingredient—I just scan and decide.

If you’ve been wanting to clean up your space without feeling overwhelmed, this is the perfect place to start. One scan at a time.

If you're looking for easy, tried-and-true swaps, I’ve rounded up all my favorite toxin-free essentials on my storefront—these are the exact products I’ve personally used and loved throughout my home detox journey.