A Non-Toxic Home for the Holidays: Swap This for That and Why!
Oct 26, 2026
The holidays mean more time indoors, more cleaning, more candles, and more guests. With eight of us under one roof, our house gets a workout this time of year. It's also the perfect time to take a look at what we're bringing into our homes.
Why make the switch?
According to the EPA, many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are consistently higher indoors than outdoors, up to ten times higher, and household cleaners, disinfectants, and air fresheners are major sources [1]. The EPA links VOC exposure to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eye, nose, and throat irritation, and some VOCs to liver, kidney, and nervous system damage and cancer [1]. Fragranced products like air fresheners and dryer sheets have also been found to carry hormone-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, often unlisted on the label [5]. When University of Washington researchers tested 25 popular scented products, including air fresheners, cleaners, and laundry products, they found 133 different chemicals, nearly a quarter classified as toxic or hazardous, and almost none were listed on the label [2]. A 20-year study of more than 6,000 adults found that women who cleaned regularly lost lung function faster than those who didn't, with the steepest decline among professional cleaners [3]. And in 2016, the FDA banned triclosan and 18 other ingredients from antibacterial hand soaps, noting there was no evidence they work any better than plain soap and water [4].
The good news: you don't have to overhaul everything at once. A few simple swaps for the products you use most, and your home will look (and smell) completely different by New Year's.
Swap spray cleaners for Thieves Household Cleaner
Most of us reach for a spray cleaner every single day, often around kids, pets, and food. We use Thieves Household Cleaner on counters, tables, floors, and bathrooms. One bottle of concentrate makes dozens of spray bottles, so it's budget-friendly too.
Our mix: 1 capful of Thieves Household Cleaner in a 16 oz glass spray bottle, topped with water.
Swap candles and air fresheners for a diffuser
Plug-ins, aerosol sprays, and scented candles are everywhere this time of year, and most list only "fragrance" on the label, with no way to know what's inside. Swap them for a diffuser and a few favorite oils.
Our favorite holiday diffuser blends:
- 3 drops Christmas Spirit + 2 drops Orange
- 2 drops Cinnamon Bark + 3 drops Orange + 1 drop Clove
- 3 drops Thieves + 3 drops Orange
- 3 drops Pine + 2 drops Cedarwood
Swap antibacterial soap for Thieves Foaming Hand Soap
Hands get washed constantly during the holidays, especially with little ones. Our sinks are stocked with Thieves Foaming Hand Soap, and it's a swap the kids actually notice and love.
Swap detergent and dryer sheets for Thieves Laundry Soap
Your family wears and sleeps on whatever your detergent leaves behind. We use Thieves Laundry Soap and skip the dryer sheets, using wool dryer balls with a few drops of Lavender or Purification instead.
Bonus: DIY room and linen spray
Perfect for guest rooms, couches, and a quick refresh before company arrives.
- 4 oz glass spray bottle
- 1 tsp witch hazel or unflavored vodka
- 15 drops of your favorite oil (we love Lavender, Christmas Spirit, or Stress Away)
- Top with distilled water and shake before each use
These also make great homemade gifts for teachers, neighbors, and grandparents!
Start your swap
The easiest way to get started is a Young Living starter kit with a diffuser and a set of oils. It lets you make several of these swaps at once. If you'd like help choosing a kit or have questions, send us a message. We'd love to help you make your home a little healthier this season.
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality
- University of Washington: Scented consumer products shown to emit many unlisted chemicals (Steinemann et al., Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2010)
- Sci.News: Lung function declines faster in women who use cleaning products (Svanes et al., American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2018)
- Healio: FDA bans consumer antiseptic soaps with certain ingredients
- HealthDay: Common products may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (Dodson et al., Environmental Health Perspectives, 2012)
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