Welcome to Welpr!
I'm Camille, one of the founders of Welpr and your guide to making non-toxic living a whole lot simpler.
There's a lot that goes into it, and it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to start. That's what this is for.
The Welpr Blueprint takes you room by room through the swaps that make the biggest difference. Think of it as your 80/20 guide to going non-toxic — the 20% of changes that make 80% of the impact.
Let's get into it.
💤 Bedroom
We’ll start in the bedroom. You spend about a third of your life here, and sleep is when your body does most of its healing. So if there's one room to clean up first, it's this one.
Common toxins in the bedroom
- Synthetic flame retardants on mattresses and bedding
- VOCs from glues and adhesives, and chemically laden foams
- PFAS in stain-resistant or waterproof finishes
- Microplastics in synthetics like polyester
- Pesticides, chlorine, and azo dyes in fabrics
- Poor air quality from all of the above off-gassing into the air you breathe while you sleep
What we look for instead
Natural alternatives that keep your sleep environment clean and restorative:
- Organic cotton, wool (which is a natural flame retardant), hemp, linen, and natural latex
- Non-synthetic fills like down, latex, or vegan options like kapok
- Certifications like GOTS, MADE SAFE®, GREENGUARD Gold, and CertiPUR for foam
- A quality air purifier in the bedroom for clean air support
Where I’d start
The items closest to your skin: sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover. You sleep on them every single night, so swapping those first makes the fastest difference.
Top swaps (and what I use)
- Bedding: This set from Rough Linen is such a good weight year round, lasts forever, and gets softer with every wash. But if you’re more of a cotton or bamboo person, we have tons of great options on Welpr.
- Mattress: My favorite foam mattress is by Essentia (I sleep on this one + their EMF protection topper). If you prefer a more traditional feel, I recommend Naturepedic or Avocado.
- Pillows: I love Essentia’s foam pillow. For something more classic, The Futon Shop makes one with an organic cotton shell and a few different natural fill options (this one).
- Duvet Insert: I use this one by Naturepedic. Feels like you’re sleeping in a cloud and perfect for all seasons.
- Air Purifier: I swear by the Jaspr. It’s effective, has a lifetime warranty, and looks good in any room. If you only have one air purifier, keep it in your bedroom since that’s where you spend the biggest chunk of your day.
👩🏻🍳 Kitchen
We spend a lot of time making sure our food is high quality and free of things like food dyes, artificial flavors, and seed oils, but if the tools we use to cook and store it aren't safe, toxins sneak right back in.
The kitchen is one of the biggest daily exposure points, so a few swaps here go a long way.
Common toxins in the kitchen
- Plastic in cutting boards and food storage, especially with heat
- Nonstick coatings made from Teflon and other PFAS
- Aluminum cookware
- BPA-free plastics that still contain other bisphenols
- Tap water with heavy metals, chlorine, glyphosates, PFAS, and even trace prescription medications
What we look for instead
Keep it simple with timeless, naturally non-toxic materials:
- Stainless steel, cast iron, glass, stoneware, food-grade silicone, pure wood, and ceramic tested free of heavy metals
- Products free from all PFAS, not just PTFE (aka Teflon)
- Water filters certified to remove the full range of contaminants
Where I’d start
Swap out the pan you use the most. If you're not much of a cook, I’d go straight for the water filter. That single swap alone can massively reduce daily toxin exposure.
Top swaps (and what I use)
- Cookware: Xtrema for ceramic and Made In for stainless steel. Both are non-toxic and super durable, and each works better for certain foods, so it makes sense to have both.
- Food Storage: I use Caraway’s food storage set in cream. It’s ceramic-coated, comes in all the sizes you need, and looks nice in the fridge.
- Cooking Utensils & Knives: This set covers everything and it’s so pretty.
- Cutting Board: My go-to is this one by John Boos. 100% maple wood with a beeswax finish, plus it lasts forever and looks nice as a charcuterie board.
- Water Filter: I use this one from Aquatru. It’s reverse osmosis, NSF-certified (the gold standard), and sits on your countertop so no plumber needed.
- Coffee Maker: I keep it simple with a Bialetti Moka Pot (this one). No plastic, no apps, no bluetooth. Just truly the best cup of strong coffee that can be made on any type of stovetop.
🛁 Bathroom
I need to say something that sounds dramatic but is just true: your skin is your largest organ. Everything you put on it gets absorbed. And the bathroom is where we slather, spray, and wipe some of the most questionable products onto the most sensitive parts of our bodies every single day.
Even your toilet paper. Yes, your toilet paper. We'll get there.
Common toxins in your bathroom
- Parabens, harsh sulfates, formaldehyde, and dyes are common in skincare, haircare, and body products
- Fragrance is a big one. Phthalates and most synthetic fragrances are major endocrine disruptors, and "fragrance" on a label can legally hide hundreds of chemicals
- Toilet paper bleached with chlorine, made from non-organic materials that can contain pesticides, PFAS, and formaldehyde, that touches your most sensitive skin
- Towels made from synthetic fibers that shed microplastics and are loaded with chemical dyes
What to look for instead
Keep it simple and natural:
- Short ingredient lists. Fragrance-free, or lightly scented with pure essential oils or herbs (not "fragrance")
- Minimal preservatives, and formulated to EU standards whenever possible — the EU bans over 1,300 ingredients in cosmetics, the US bans 11.
- For towels and textiles, choose natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, linen.
- Look for trusted certifications like MADE SAFE®, EWG VERIFIED™, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX®
Where I’d start
Ditch your fragranced products (like ASAP). Synthetic fragrance is one of the biggest hormone disruptors out there, and it's in everything from body wash, lotion, shampoo, deodorant. That's the swap with the highest impact for the least effort.
For everything else, just replace as you run out. Makeup expires quickly anyway, so within a few months your whole bag can be non-toxic without you having to throw everything away at once.
Top swaps (and what I use)
- Skincare: Ok honest moment — my skincare was the last thing to go non-toxic. I couldn't find anything that smelled good, improved my skin, and was fully Welpr Approved. Then I found Marie Veronique and it was over. The day oil was my gateway product, but I use her entire line now.
- Body Products: Toups & Co. is a brand I’m obsessed with as a whole. Their whipped tallow lotion has this perfect lightweight texture, and the French Clay soap is something I keep on subscription. It has a naturally earthy scent and it actually lathers, which I’ve found rare for tallow soap.
- Toothbrush + Toothpaste: The plastic free Suri toothbrush has a minimalist vibe and comes in neutral tones that actually look good in your bathroom, and this whole oral care set is now a staple for me. I never thought I’d have an oral care routine but here we are.
- Makeup: My entire makeup bag is Westman Atelier. Formulated to EU standards (so I trust the whole line), comes in beautiful packaging, the most natural looking shades, and it LASTS — like, stays on even after a sauna session. Proof that non-toxic makeup actually works.
- Bath & Hand Towels: Definitely Anact. Organic cotton and hemp, super soft, undyed, and this perfect creamy off-white color that goes with everything.
- Toilet Paper: Cloud Paper is the softest. Made from 100% bamboo, unbleached, chlorine- and PFAS-free, and it comes in plastic-free packaging.
The bathroom is where the Welpr app really comes into use. Use the ingredient scanner to check your skincare, makeup, and personal care products, see what's worth swapping, and find cleaner alternatives in one place.
🏠 Whole House
Your home should feel like a sanctuary. But the truth is, everyday things like sofas, candles, cleaning sprays, and even lightbulbs can quietly bring toxins into what should be your safe space.
A few simple swaps here go a long way, and one of them can replace almost your entire cleaning cabinet in a single order.
Common toxins in your home
- Cleaning products loaded with parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, sulfates, and dyes
- Candles made with paraffin wax, synthetic fragrance, and plastic wicks
- LED lighting that disrupts your circadian rhythm, hormones, and sleep
- Furniture made with polyester (sheds microplastics), stain-resistant treatments made with PFAS, high VOC glues and adhesives, and chemically laden foams that off-gas into your air
What to look for instead
Keep your air clean and your home actually restorative:
- Fragrance-free cleaning products with simple, natural, transparent ingredients
- Beeswax candles scented with essential oils and cotton or hemp wicks
- Circadian-friendly lighting (we'll get into this below)
- Furniture made from solid, real wood, natural fibers, low to zero-VOC glues and finishes. Look for third-party certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, GREENGUARD, and CertiPUR® foam
Where I’d start
Get the Branch Basics full starter kit. Trust me. It will replace your entire cleaning product lineup in one order, and the products actually work. They also make travel sizes (genius!) which are a staple in my purse.
Top swaps (and what I use)
- Cleaning Products: I use the entire Branch Basics line (this set), which is one concentrate you can use for almost everything. Also their laundry detergent, dishwasher tablets, and hand soap. It simplified my whole routine in a way my brain really needed.
- Lighting: Switch out LED’s for incandescent bulbs to support your circadian rhythm. For evenings, I love Boncharge red lights (especially this night light) which I use in my bathroom and always bring on trips since I don't have red light bulbs everywhere.
- Candles: Beeswax candles (these) are all over my house. They have a natural honeyed scent, and I love these that come in pretty glass jars for gifts.
- Furniture: Furniture isn’t always the first swap I recommend because it’s a big investment (and most off-gassing happens in the first few weeks anyway), but it’s worth keeping in mind for when you remodel or move. Roseland, The Futon Shop, and Healthier Homes are some of my favorites, but we have a ton of other great options on Welpr.
✨Everyday Essentials
Now that the house is figuratively sparkling, let’s talk about the everyday essentials that don’t quite fit into a single room, but are some of the most important. The things closest to our skin, our little ones, and even our pets (who are often overlooked but just as impacted).
Common toxins in everyday essentials
- Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon shed microplastics, especially activewear when you sweat. A lot of clothing also contains azo dyes, and is treated with formaldehyde and wrinkle or stain-resistant finishes made with PFAS, which are known skin irritants and endocrine disruptors.
- Baby and pet products are often made with the same ingredients and materials we try to avoid for ourselves
What to look for instead
Keep it simple and skin-safe:
- Clothing made from natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, hemp, and linen. Merino wool is naturally sweat-wicking, so it’s great for activewear. Look for natural dyes and third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, and bluesign® whenever possible.
- Baby and pet products held to the same standards as everything else in your home. Same rigor for bedding, personal care, cleaning, furniture, all of it.
Where I’d start
These are broad categories, so go for the swaps with the highest daily impact:
- Clothing: Start with underwear and activewear since they touch your skin every day. Over time, phase out synthetics and in natural fibers as you replace things. It took me years, honestly, but now my closet is 100% Welpr Approved.
- Babies: Focus on what touches their skin most and where they spend the most time. Mattress, diapers, wipes, car seat, bottles, pacifiers, clothing.
- Pets: Start with food, shampoo, and a daily paw cleanser. Those swaps alone make a huge difference.
Top swaps (and what I use)
- Clothing: I always recommend starting with underwear and activewear since those pieces sit closest to your skin. For activewear, Namarie, Groceries Apparel, and Jungmaven are some of my favorites. And for bras and underwear, Net Positive (15% off with code WELPR) and Subset. I'm big on comfort and fit when it comes to clothing, and all of these brands fit the bill.
- Baby Products: If you're starting fresh, build your whole registry with non-toxic products. We even have a blog post to guide you. If you're working with what you already have, prioritize these high-impact swaps: mattress, diapers, wipes, car seat, baby bottles, pacifiers, and baby clothing.
- Pet Products: Pets deserve the same care we do. My top swaps (aka Romeo's favorites): raw dog kibble, non-toxic shampoo, and a paw cleanser. We'll go deeper here eventually, I promise.
🧠Final Thoughts
That's all for the Non-Toxic Home Blueprint!
Now the good part: actually doing it. Start with the swaps that touch you most often, then keep going. Once you start feeling the difference, it's hard to stop (kind of addictive, honestly).
And if you haven’t already, download the Welpr app where you can scan products, find swaps, get personalized recommendations and in-depth guides, and track your progress to a healthier home.
Now go swap something 💚