Low-Tox on a Budget: How I Shop Smart at Costco & Targe

If you’ve ever tried to “go low-tox,” you know how quickly it can feel overwhelming. One minute you’re swapping out your deodorant, and the next thing you know, you’re staring at your pantry wondering if you need to throw away everything that’s not organic. Been there. Done that. Cried about it too.

The truth? There’s no such thing as perfectly low-tox. And chasing that illusion will rob you of peace, joy, and the very freedom that this lifestyle was meant to give.

Where My Journey Started

When I first started down this path, I thought I had to do it all. Every swap. Every label read. Every product scrutinized. But the more I tried to keep up with what Instagram said was “safe enough,” the more exhausted and fearful I became.

My turning point came in the NICU with my son. That season taught me that life isn’t black and white — it’s full of grey. Sometimes the “right” choice is the one that brings peace in the middle of chaos. Sometimes it’s choosing the convenience of Chick-fil-A on the way home from Whole Foods, or keeping Costco Goldfish in the pantry next to your non-toxic cleaners.

Why “Perfect” Misses the Point

Perfect isn’t sustainable. Perfect isn’t realistic. And perfect doesn’t leave room for grace.

What does matter? Making small, consistent choices that fit your family, your budget, and your season of life. Low-tox living should make your life lighter, not heavier.

What I Want You to Remember

If you’re on this journey, I want you to know this: you are doing enough. Every little swap counts. You don’t need to get it “right” all the time to make a meaningful impact on your family’s health.

So, take the pressure off. Choose progress, not perfection. And let grace carry you through the messy middle.

“Low-tox living isn’t about just tossing out everything you own overnight.”

Where to Begin: Starter Swaps

If you’re new to low-tox living, it can feel like there’s so much to change and never enough time, money, or energy to do it all. I want to remind you — you don’t have to. Low-tox living isn’t about perfection or tossing out everything you own overnight. It’s about small, intentional swaps that add up over time. The best place to start is with the products you use most often. Here are a few easy swaps that make a big impact without overwhelming your budget or your sanity.

Starter swaps for living a more

Low-Tox life

🧴 Personal Care

• Swap: Conventional deodorant → Aluminum-free deodorant
  Tip: Don’t expect it to work the same right away — give your body a week or two to adjust. Earth Mama, Primally Pure, or Native (fragrance-free) are good places to start.

• Swap: Drugstore baby wipes → Water wipes or Honest wipes
  Tip: Keep a pack in the car and in the diaper bag so you don’t feel tempted to grab whatever’s on sale at checkout.

🏡 Home

• Swap: Dryer sheets → Wool dryer balls
  Tip: Add a few drops of essential oil to the dryer balls if you miss the “fresh laundry” scent.

• Swap: Plastic food storage → Glass containers
  Tip: You don’t need to replace everything at once — start with what you use for reheating since heat + plastic is the worst combo.

• Swap: All-purpose cleaner → Non-toxic multipurpose spray (like Branch Basics or Force of Nature)
  Tip: Store one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom so it’s convenient to grab.

👶 Kids & Baby

• Swap: Conventional baby lotion → Calendula-based lotion (like Earth Mama)
  Tip: A little goes a long way. And sometimes plain coconut oil is all you need.

• Swap: Plastic sippy cups → Stainless steel or glass
  Tip: Start by swapping just the ones you use most often — no need to toss everything at once.

🌱 Pantry

• Swap: Vegetable/seed oils → Avocado or coconut oil
  Tip: Buy a small bottle at first to test which one you like for cooking.

• Swap: Artificially flavored snacks → Simple ingredients (like Simple Mills crackers)
  Tip: Keep a few “better but still easy” snacks on hand so you don’t feel pressured to DIY everything.

Remember, this isn’t about throwing away half your pantry in one day. Start with the things you use most often, and make swaps as you run out. Each small step makes a difference.