Let me tell you something—having a child on the spectrum with ADHD will have you rethinking everything. From what goes on his plate to what’s in the air he breathes, suddenly nothing feels minor anymore. And chile, once I really started digging into what’s in the products we use every single day? Oh, it was a wrap. I knew I had to make a change.
So here I am—officially on my “clean living” journey.
Yep, that means tossing the toxic sprays, ditching the harsh detergents, and saying “good riddance” to anything with an ingredient list longer than my CVS receipt.
We going all-natural baby!
The Wake-Up Call
For the longest time, I thought I was doing all the right things. I was reading labels (kinda), buying the brands that said “gentle” or “green”, and lighting up incense like I was in an Erykah Badu video. But after my son’s autism and ADHD diagnoses, I knew I had to pay closer attention.
Our babies are more sensitive than most. Their little bodies and brains are working overtime just to process the world around them. And here I was unknowingly pumping toxins into our home—our safe space—without a second thought. Once I learned that certain artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives can affect focus, behavior, and even mood regulation? Yeah… I started cleaning house for real.
What “Clean” Looks Like for Me
Let’s be clear, I’m not perfect at this. I haven’t done a complete 180 and I’m definitely not out here trying to DIY every single thing (because who has the time?). But I am intentional now.
Here’s what going clean looks like in my house:
🧼 All-natural cleaners – No dyes or artificial fragrances. Bio-degradable with 100% essential oils. My mop bucket smells like my own personal spa.
🧺 Fragrance-free laundry detergent – Because those “spring breeze” scents are cute until you realize they’re made in a lab. My son has skin allergies and I’ve noticed that since changing the detergent, he’s not complaining of having the “itchies” anymore.
🕯️ No artificial air fresheners – Not going to lie, this one has been the toughest cause I love me some smell good. But I’ve swapped the incense and plug-ins for beeswax candles and essential oil diffusers. The house still smells amazing but without all the crazy fumes hanging over our heads.
🚰 BPA-free everything– I got rid of all the plastic food containers that break down over time and and found more long lasting options like glass.
Why It Matters
I know this won’t magically cure autism or “fix” ADHD. That’s not the goal. The goal is to give my son the safest, most supportive environment possible that he can thrive in. His nervous system already works differently, so why add more stress to the mix with chemicals that might make it harder for him to regulate and focus?
And truth be told. It’s made me feel better too. There’s just a peace of mind that comes from knowing our space is clean, safe, and chemical-free.
A Little Advice If You’re Starting This Journey
Start small. You don’t have to toss everything at once. Replace things as they run out.
Read the labels. If you can’t pronounce it and it sounds like a science fair project, maybe pass.
Don’t let the price tag scare you. Some clean alternatives are cheaper than the mainstream stuff (especially if you make your own).
Give yourself grace. It’s a journey, not a sprint. You’re doing the best you can with what you know—and that’s enough.
Final Word
At the end of the day, I just want to give my child the best chance at peace and focus in a world that often overwhelms him. Going clean is a step toward that.
If you’ve been thinking about switching to all-natural products, take this as your sign. Let’s detox our homes and protect our babies, one bottle at a time.
Great read. I joined a few non-toxin groups on Facebook and decided to do the same. It had me purging my bath and body works stash. I also use the Yuka and Think Dirty apps when going shopping to scan the barcode on various foods and products to see how they rate it. Kudus to you for looking out for you and your child’s health and best interest. Keep up the great work. - Karma
I love this. 🙌🏿