Clean Household Swaps That Can Balance & Optimize Hormonal Health

Let’s talk about something that’s been quietly hanging out under your sink, in your laundry room, and maybe even on your kitchen counters: PFAS — aka forever chemicals. These synthetic compounds don’t break down in the environment (or in your body), which is where they get their name, and are linked to a long list of health concerns, including one that often doesn’t get nearly enough attention: hormonal disruption.

 

As usual, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Studies have shown that PFAS, which are often found in conventional cleaning products, can interfere with your endocrine system — the network that governs your hormones, affecting everything from your energy and mood to your metabolism, sleep, fertility, and even skin clarity. Things like phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, chlorine, and synthetic fragrances can act as hormone mimickers or blockers, confusing your body and putting extra stress on your liver and detox pathways.

 

Clean swaps = cleaner home, clearer hormones, and (bonus) a safer space for our beloved pets as well.

 

The Clean Swap Mindset

 

‘Why not’ is the mindset for me — if I can swap out certain products, while getting the job done and protecting my health and wellbeing at the same time — it’s a win-win. There’s no need to overhaul your entire cleaning cabinet in one day, the idea is to make space for products that give great results while helping your body breathe a little easier. Sometimes we don’t realize just how much better we can feel by making even small changes like these within our space.

 

Hormone-Safe Cleaning Brands

 

Here are a few tried-and-true, hormone-friendly cleaning lines that make it easy to start swapping—especially if you’re a little bit of a clean freak like me.

 

1. Attitude®

• EWG-verified, vegan, and backed by serious transparency. No mystery ingredients, no shady preservatives.
• I adore their all-purpose cleaner and bathroom spray, they deliver on that sparkling clean look and spare us the harmful ingredients
• They’ve also expanded into personal care products—minus the artificial fragrances

 

2. Method®

• Widely available and a great entry point into clean cleaning. They’re transparent about ingredients and avoid the major endocrine-disruptors.
• Where I use it: glass & mirrors. It took me a while to fully break up with Windex because I just couldn’t find something that got the job done quite like it, until I found Method, their glass cleaner is my new holy grail of cleaning products.
• Note: Always read labels — not every Method product is fragrance-free, and some scents can still be a little much for sensitive systems.

 

3. Branch Basics®

• Although I’ve never personally tried their product line, the founders’ story is truly touching and their company is truly built on a foundation rooted in wanting to make safer products that optimize human health
• They stand out for their impeccable formulations and refill system making them an ally for the environment as well

 

4. DIY Option

 

For a simple, effective surface cleaner that won’t mess with your hormones (or your budget), try this DIY all-purpose cleaner recipe:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil (antibacterial)
• 10 drops lavender or lemon essential oil (for scent + more antibacterial power)
• Optional: A splash of Castile soap (unscented)

 

Mix in a glass spray bottle. Shake before each use.

 

A Safer Home for Your Pets, Too

 

Your hormonal health isn’t the only one that benefits from a cleaner routine. Our furry family members are even more vulnerable to the chemicals we use on our floors, carpets, and air. Dogs and cats absorb toxins through their paws, lick their fur, and breathe in residue — and their smaller size means exposure hits harder.

 

When you ditch endocrine-disrupting cleaners, you’re not just protecting your hormones — you’re making your home safer for the animals who trust you most.

 

When it comes to hormone health, it’s often the daily, seemingly small exposures that add up over time. Next time you're re-stocking, look for some of the brands above or use a scanner like the Yuka app to find more natural alternatives and start cleaning smarter, not harsher.

 

Happy cleaning—

 

Gabriella

 

*image: @ annamednikova