The Welpr Blueprint: Your Guide to Going Non-Toxic the Easy Way

❌Common toxins in the bedroom

• Synthetic flame retardants on mattresses and bedding
• VOCs from glues and chemically made foams
• PFAS in stain-resistant or waterproof finishes
• Microplastics in synthetics like polyester
• Pesticides, chlorine, and toxic dyes in fabrics
• Poor air quality from all of the above off-gassing into the air you breathe

✅ What we look for instead

We go for natural, safe alternatives that keep your sleep environment clean and restorative:

• Organic cotton, wool (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)
• Clean air support with a quality air purifier in the bedroom

💡 Quick action tip

Start with the items closest to your skin: sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover. They touch you every single night, so swapping those first makes the fastest difference.

🔄 Top swaps (and my favs)

• Mattress: My favorite foam option is Essentia (I sleep on this one + their EMF protection topper), or if you like a more traditional feel, I recommend Naturepedic (linked here).
• Pillows: For foam, I love Essentia’s pillow. For something more classic, The Futon Shop makes one with an organic cotton shell and a few different natural fill options (linked here).
• Sheets / Pillowcases / Duvet Cover: I’m obsessed with linen sheets. Naturepedic’s (these) feel like a cloud and get softer with every wash. If you’re more of a cotton person, there are plenty of organic cotton options on Welpr (linked here).
• Duvet Insert: I use Naturepedic (this one)– it’s fluffy, cozy, and perfect year round.
• Air Purifier: I swear by the Jaspr—it’s the best on the market, has a lifetime warranty, and looks chic in any room. If you only have one air purifier, definitely keep it in your bedroom since that’s where you spend the biggest chunk of your day. 

❌Common toxins in the kitchen

The kitchen is sneaky. Here’s where toxins tend to show up most:

• Plastic in cutting boards and food storage (especially when heated)
• 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 yes, even trace prescription medications

✅ What we look for instead

We 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

💡 Quick action tip

If you cook often, start with the pan you use the most. If you’re not much of a cook, go straight for the water filter. That single swap alone can massively reduce daily toxin exposure.

🔄 Top swaps (and my favs)

• 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 glass food storage (this set) in cream. It’s ceramic-coated, comes in all the sizes you need, and actually looks cute in the fridge.
• Cooking Utensils: The Caraway prep set (this one) covers everything. It’s made from stainless steel and FSC-certified birch wood in colors you’ll actually want to leave out on the counter.
• Cutting Board: My go-to is John Boos (this one). It’s 100% maple wood with a beeswax finish. It lasts forever and doubles as the prettiest charcuterie board.
• Water Filter: I swear by the Aquatru (this one). It’s reverse osmosis, NSF-certified (the gold standard), and sits countertop so no plumber installation is needed.
• Coffee Maker: I keep it simple with a Bialetti Moka Pot (this one). No plastic, no apps or bluetooth, just truly the best cup of coffee that can be made on any type of stovetop.

❌Common toxins in the bathroom

Here’s where they usually show up:

• Parabens, harsh sulfates, formaldehyde, and dyes in skincare and haircare
• Phthalates and synthetic fragrances (big endocrine disruptors)
• Toilet paper bleached with chlorine, made from non-organic materials that can contain pesticides, PFAS, and formaldehyde
• Towels made from synthetic fibers that shed microplastics and contain chemical dyes

✅ What we look for instead

We keep it simple and natural:

• Short ingredient lists, fragrance-free or lightly scented with high quality essential oils or herbs
• Minimal preservatives, formulated to EU standards whenever possible
• Natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, and linen in towels and textiles
• Trusted certifications like MADE SAFE®, EWG VERIFIED™, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX®

💡 Quick action tip

Ditch your fragranced products ASAP since they’re one of the biggest hormone disruptors. For everything else, just replace as you run out. Makeup expires quickly anyway, so soon enough, your whole bag will be non-toxic.

🔄 Top swaps (and my favs)

• Skincare: I’ll be honest… My skincare lineup isn’t fully Welpr Approved. I’ve found what works for my skin and give myself some wiggle room here since the rest of my life is so non-toxic. On Welpr, you’ll still find plenty of clean, effective options to fit your own skin needs. Check them out here.
• Body Products: I love Toups (this lotion) is my daily go-to, plus the French Clay soap smells naturally earthy and fresh (like your fav non-toxic spa) and actually lathers, which I’ve found to be rare for tallow soap.
• Toothbrush + Toothpaste → The Suri toothbrush (this one) is sleek, sustainable, and plastic-free, and I honestly can’t explain why but this toothpaste has become my favorite.
• Makeup: My entire makeup bag is Westman Atelier. It’s formulated to EU standards (so I trust the entire line), comes in chic packaging and the best natural shades, and it lasts (like, stays on even after a sauna sesh). Proof that non-toxic makeup actually works.
• Bath & Hand Towels: I swear by Anact towels. They’re organic cotton/hemp, super soft, undyed, and the prettiest creamy off-white that goes with everything.
• Toilet Paper: Cloud Paper is what I use: 100% bamboo, unbleached, chlorine- and PFAS-free, and it comes in plastic-free packaging.

❌Common toxins in the home

These are the ones we see most often:

• Cleaning products with parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, sulfates, and dyes
• Candles made with paraffin wax, synthetic fragrance, and plastic wicks
• LED lighting that disrupts circadian rhythms, hormones, and sleep
• Furniture made with polyester (sheds microplastics), stain-resistant treatments made with PFAS, high VOC glues/adhesives, and chemically produced foams that off-gas into your air

✅ What we look for instead

• We prioritize products that keep your air clean and your home restorative:
  Cleaning products with simple, natural, transparent ingredients (fragrance-free when possible)
• Beeswax candles scented with essential oils and cotton or hemp wicks
• Circadian-friendly lighting
• Furniture made from real wood, natural fibers, low/zero-VOC glues and finishes, and third-party certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, GREENGUARD, and CertiPUR® foam

💡 Quick action tip

If you want the biggest impact with the least effort, get the Branch Basics full starter kit. It’ll replace your entire cleaning product arsenal in one go, and the products actually work. And their travel sized products…genius.

🔄 Top swaps (and my favs)

• Cleaning Products: I use the entire Branch Basics line (this set). One concentrate works for almost everything which makes life so much easier. I also love their laundry detergent, dishwasher tablets, and hand soap.
• Lighting: Switch out LED’s for incandescent bulbs from 1000bulbs.com, and for evenings, I love Boncharge red lights (especially this night light), which is also one of my favorite travel hacks.
• Candles: Beeswax candles (these) are my go-to. Beeswax has a natural, honeyed scent, and they come in pretty glass jars that make such a great gift.
• Furniture: Furniture isn’t always the first swap I recommend because it’s a huge investment (and most off-gassing happens in the first few weeks), but it’s worth keeping in mind for when you remodel or move. Since I happen to be moving soon, I’m going with Roseland for bedroom furniture and Armadillo for rugs (still deciding on the rest, but I’ll share a full update once I’ve styled the new space).

❌Common toxins in everyday essentials

Here’s where they tend to show up:

• Clothing made with synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon that shed microplastics (especially activewear when we sweat) plus toxic azo dyes, formaldehyde, and wrinkle- or stain-resistant finishes with PFAS. These are known skin irritants, endocrine disruptors, and even carcinogens.
• Baby and pet products made with the very same toxins we avoid for ourselves.

✅ What we look for instead

We keep it simple and skin-safe:

• Clothing made from natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, hemp, and linen (merino wool is naturally sweat-wicking and amazing for activewear), natural dyes, and backed by third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, and bluesign®
• Baby and pet products held to the exact same standards as our bedding, furniture, personal care, cleaning, and kitchen categories

💡 Quick action tip

These are broad categories, so start small and go for the swaps with the highest daily impact:

• For clothing, it’s underwear and activewear since they touch your skin every day (and during workouts, when your pores are open), and over time, phase out any synthetics and phase in natural fibers as you replace items. It took me years, honestly, but now my closet is 100% Welpr Approved.
• For babies, focus on the things that touch their skin most and where they spend the most time (mattress, diapers, wipes, car seat, bottles, pacifiers, clothing).
• And for pets, start with food, shampoo, and a daily paw cleanser. These swaps alone make a huge difference.

🔄 Top swaps (and my favs)

• Clothing: Namarie Activewear is my go-to. It’s made from hemp and a bio-based elastane (from corn), and feels like the Lulu Aligns minus the chemicals. For bras & underwear, Net Positive is buttery soft, made from organic cotton and hemp, and come in the prettiest neutral tones (plus 15% off with WELPR15 on your first order). I always recommend starting here since these pieces sit closest to your skin.
• Baby Products: If you’re starting fresh, build your whole registry with non-toxic products and you’re set (we even have a blog post to guide you). If you’re working with what you already have, I’d prioritize these high-impact swaps: mattress, diapers, wipes, car seat, baby bottles, pacifiers, and clothing.
• Pet Products (coming soon to Welpr!): Pets deserve the same care we do. My top swaps (linked with Romeo’s favs): raw dog kibble, non-toxic shampoo, and a safe paw cleanser.