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It seems like microplastics are all over the news right now. We knew single-use plastic wasn’t great for the environment. But in recent years we’ve learned it also has serious effects on our health. Not only from microplastics entering human tissues, but also from endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like BPA and phthalates that are emitted from the plastics in our environment. But the question of how to avoid microplastics in our plastic world is not an easy one.
To me, starting at home – where I have control over the environment – was the first step. I recently started a project to reduce the amount of plastic exposure my family was getting at home.
There are many excellent sources of information on microplastics and EDCs in common household products. But I felt totally overwhelmed when I started researching. Where do you even start?
That’s why I’m providing this guide. It outlines some easy steps to take when you’re just starting your journey. Plus, a simple, straightforward list of healthier alternatives for common products you probably have in your home.
What’s the Problem with Plastic?
Let’s briefly look at how plastic exposure affects your health.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are what they sound like – tiny pieces of plastic. The smallest ones can get into human cells, tissues, and even the brain. You’re exposed to these through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact.
These particles then leech plastic-associated chemicals into your body.
The effects of this on your health are still being studied, but the research thus far shows the situation is extremely worrisome. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals from plastic are linked to conditions such as infertility, obesity, diabetes, cancer, thyroid issues, and cardiovascular disease.
Obviously, there is a lot of science behind this that you can do a deep dive on. (Maybe even through a personal curriculum!) But my point here is just that this is a serious enough concern that it’s worth taking action where you can.
You can’t completely avoid microplastics. They’re in our water supply, after all. But you can reduce your exposure. And that’s where this guide comes in.
Getting Started
The idea behind this guide for how to avoid microplastics is baby steps. It’s going to take a while and require some investment to eliminate most plastic from your home.
The steps outlined here are the ones I’m starting with personally. They’re based on my research into what the biggest culprits are when it comes to microplastic exposure.
You can work on this project room by room in your home. Or you can simply jump to the list of product replacements below and start gradually swapping things out.
My advice is to make a list – or copy the one linked above – of products you’d like to replace. Then, swap out a few each month. The cost of these products will add up, so it makes sense financially to stagger what you purchase.
How to Avoid Microplastics While Cooking
Above, we talked about the ways we’re exposed to microplastics – through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Let’s start with ingestion – how to avoid microplastics when you’re cooking.
- Ditch your plastic Tupperware and buy glass food storage containers. We’ve known for years that heating plastic food storage containers in the microwave is a bad idea. But now there’s concern that plastic-associated chemicals can get into your food even without heat.
- Replace your plastic cutting board with a wooden cutting board. (Recommendation from My Chemical-Free House.)
- Use cooking utensils made of food-grade silicone, wood, or stainless steel.
- Replace Teflon non-stick pans with other options. For example, Caraway sells non-toxic non-stick cookware sets and bakeware sets. (I have these and love how they look.) Stainless steel is another great option.
- Popular air fryers have also been called out for their non-stick coatings. You can replace yours with a stainless steel version.
How to Avoid Microplastics in Your Beverages
Microplastics are involved in a surprising number of beverages, from bottled water to coffee shop lattes. Here are ideas for how to avoid microplastics in things you drink daily:
- Avoid plastic water bottles and any other beverage that’s sold in a plastic bottle.
- In fact, you should even avoid beverages sold in aluminum cans. They also contain plastic. For example, I love seltzer water. I’m investing in a soda maker machine to replace the cans I used to buy.
- Make coffee at home. When you get coffee to go at a coffee shop, the inner lining of the cup is plastic. You should also avoid plastic coffee pods, though. (I’m still trying to understand if my beloved recyclable aluminum Nespresso pods are a concern!) From what I understand, the safest way to make coffee is a plastic-free French press. And if you love the steamed milk the coffee shop provides, you can make it at home with a stainless steel milk frother.
- Use loose leaf tea sold in a metal tin to avoid tea bags, which often contain microplastics. You can steep it in a stainless steel tea infuser or a plastic-free tea maker.
- Replace your plastic kettle with a stainless steel kettle.
- Invest in a few stainless steel reusable straws. These will also save you money and reduce waste over time.
How to Avoid Microplastics in Your Food
So, we learned that beverages are hiding quite a few microplastic hazards. And that means – yep, you guessed it – many common foods do, too.
- Buy fruit, bread, and other staples at your local farmer’s market instead of the grocery store. Better yet, make your own bread – this is my favorite incredibly easy recipe.
- When you go to the grocery store, don’t wrap produce in plastic bags.
- Bring your own reusable cloth bags to the store. Many reusable bags also contain plastic.
- Avoid buying snacks that come wrapped in plastic. The added bonus is that you’ll avoid a lot of ultra processed junk food that way.
- Avoid plastic wrap and sandwich bags. There are options for compostable zip sandwich bags, paper sandwich bags, and fabric sandwich bags.
How to Avoid Microplastics When Cleaning
People have been talking for a while about toxic chemicals in common household cleaning products. But have you considered the plastic involved in most bottles, scrubbers, sponges, brooms, etc.? Believe it or not, all these things shed microplastics into your home and eventually your body. And they can start to add up.
- Make your own cleaning solution. I used this recipe and it was shockingly easy. It’s literally distilled water, vinegar, and some essential oil if you want it to smell nice. That’s literally it. And it works exactly as well as any product you’d buy. Of course, you can also buy a non-toxic multi-purpose cleaner.
- Use a glass spray bottle to store your DYI cleaning solution.
- Replace laundry detergent pods with a plastic-free, non-toxic laundry tablets.
- Replace plastic-wrapped dishwasher detergent pods with a plastic-free, non-toxic dishwasher tablet.
- Replace sponges and dish scrubbers containing synthetic materials with natural sponges.
How to Avoid Microplastics in Your Hygiene Products
Above, we talked about how microplastics are commonly absorbed through the skin or through ingestion. And that means you should consider your personal care products carefully.
- Replace your shower loofah with a natural sponge or exfoliating scrubber.
- Instead of a plastic toothbrush, use a plant-based toothbrush.
- Replace plastic dental floss with flossing swords made of natural materials or silk floss.
- Use bar soap instead of liquid soaps that come in plastic containers. Blueland also sells a non-toxic liquid handsoap that comes with a glass container.
- Replace your plastic hair care products with a natural hairbrush and/or wooden comb.
Simple List of Alternatives for Products Containing Microplastics
Don’t have time to read all the tips above? In that case, here’s a quick reference table for some easy plastic-free alternatives to common household products.
Next Steps
We’ve talked through quite a few microplastic sources lurking in your home. But there are unfortunately plenty of other sources of microplastics in your environment. And I plan to research and post soon about synthetic fibers in your and your kids’ clothing, for example.
Overall, my advice is to not panic and spend a fortune replacing everything right away. Just gradually chip away at it. You can even use the list above as a guide to buy a few things each month to gradually improve your family’s health.
What Do You Think?
Are you concerned about how to avoid microplastics in common household products? What was your first step to eliminating them in your home? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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How to Make a Personal Curriculum: Your Step-by-Step Guide – consider making a curriculum to learn about how to avoid microplastics in your home. I’m thinking of this because I’d love to get deeper into the science.
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Your Skincare Routine is Wasting Your Time
How to Donate Your Clutter: 6 Ideas for Getting Rid of Clutter Fast
Minimalist Mindset: How to Go Beyond Decluttering to Become a Minimalist
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