HyleaSafer Products by Category
Quick wins, chemicals to watch, and trusted certifications for every product category in your home.
Where to start
Focus on the categories where you have the most frequent exposure: personal care products you use daily, cleaning products you use weekly, and food packaging you encounter at every meal. These five "priority categories" at the top offer the highest impact changes.
Personal Care & Beauty
Products applied directly to your skin and hair, often multiple times daily. This category has the highest exposure potential because chemicals are absorbed through skin and inhaled.
Quick Wins
- Switch to fragrance-free shampoo, body wash, and lotion
- Choose mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide) over chemical sunscreen
- Replace antiperspirant with aluminium-free deodorant
- Use paraben-free moisturisers
Chemicals to Watch
- Phthalates (hidden in "fragrance")
- Parabens (preservatives)
- SLS/SLES (foaming agents)
- Formaldehyde releasers (preservatives)
- Oxybenzone (sunscreen filter)
Certifications That Help
- EWG Verified - strict ingredient screening
- COSMOS - organic/natural cosmetics standard
- MADE SAFE - screens for toxic chemicals
Cleaning Products
Cleaning chemicals are designed to be reactive, which means they can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. They also leave residues on surfaces you touch daily.
Quick Wins
- Replace air fresheners with open windows
- Switch to fragrance-free laundry detergent
- Drop fabric softener entirely (use wool dryer balls)
- Use vinegar and baking soda for basic cleaning
Chemicals to Watch
- VOCs (indoor air pollution)
- Triclosan (antibacterial products)
- Ammonia (glass/surface cleaners)
- Phthalates (in "fragrance")
Certifications That Help
- EPA Safer Choice - every ingredient reviewed
- EWG Verified - health-based screening
Food Packaging
Packaging in direct contact with food, especially when heated, can leach chemicals. This is one of the most impactful categories to address.
Quick Wins
- Store food in glass containers instead of plastic
- Never microwave food in plastic containers
- Choose fresh or frozen over canned (to avoid BPA linings)
- Use beeswax wraps instead of cling film
Chemicals to Watch
- BPA and BPA substitutes (can linings, plastics)
- PFAS (grease-resistant packaging)
- Phthalates (plastic wrap)
- Styrene (polystyrene containers)
Children's Products
Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposures due to developing bodies, mouthing behaviour, and higher intake relative to body weight.
Quick Wins
- Choose snug-fitting sleepwear (no flame retardant treatment needed)
- Use glass or stainless steel bottles and sippy cups
- Choose solid wood or silicone toys over soft PVC
- Wash all new clothing before first wear
Chemicals to Watch
- Lead (imported toys, old paint)
- Phthalates (soft plastic toys)
- BPA (bottles, food containers)
- Flame retardants (sleepwear, car seats, mattresses)
- Formaldehyde (clothing finishes, furniture)
Certifications That Help
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Class I for babies)
- MADE SAFE
- GREENGUARD Gold (furniture, mattresses)
Home Furnishings
Furniture, mattresses, and home textiles can off-gas chemicals for months or years. Since you spend most of your time indoors, these exposures add up.
Quick Wins
- Air out new furniture for several days before bringing indoors
- Choose a certified mattress (CertiPUR-US or GREENGUARD)
- Use solid wood furniture over pressed wood (less formaldehyde)
- Dust regularly with damp cloths and vacuum with HEPA filter
Chemicals to Watch
- Flame retardants (furniture foam, mattresses)
- Formaldehyde (pressed wood, plywood, MDF)
- VOCs (new furniture off-gassing)
- PFAS (stain-resistant treatments)
Certifications That Help
- GREENGUARD Gold - low chemical emissions
- CertiPUR-US - certified foam
- OEKO-TEX - textiles tested for harmful substances
Clothing & Apparel
Clothing sits against your skin all day. Chemical finishes for wrinkle-resistance, stain-resistance, and colour fastness are rarely disclosed on labels.
Quick Wins
- Wash new clothes before wearing
- Choose OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified when possible
- Avoid "wrinkle-free" and "stain-resistant" claims unless certified
Chemicals to Watch
- Formaldehyde (wrinkle-free finishes)
- PFAS (water-repellent treatments)
- Azo dyes (can release carcinogenic aromatic amines)
Certifications That Help
Electronics & Appliances
Electronics contain flame retardants in circuit boards and casings, and can off-gas VOCs when new.
Quick Wins
- Unbox and air out new electronics in a well-ventilated area
- Wash hands after handling electronics, especially before eating
- Dust electronics regularly (flame retardants accumulate in dust)
Chemicals to Watch:
Flame retardants, lead (older solder), VOCsBuilding Materials
Renovating or building? Material choices have long-lasting impacts on indoor air quality.
Quick Wins
- Use low-VOC or zero-VOC paint
- Choose solid wood or metal over pressed wood products
- Ventilate thoroughly during and after renovations
Chemicals to Watch:
Formaldehyde (plywood, MDF), VOCs (paint, varnish, adhesives), asbestos (older buildings), lead (old paint)Sports & Fitness
Quick Wins
- Choose a natural rubber or TPE yoga mat over PVC
- Look for PFAS-free waterproof outdoor gear
- Air out new exercise equipment before use
Chemicals to Watch:
VOCs (yoga mats, foam equipment), PFAS (waterproof gear), phthalates (PVC equipment)Garden & Outdoor
Quick Wins
- Use manual or organic weed control instead of chemical weed killers
- Choose natural pest control methods (companion planting, neem oil)
- Wear gloves when handling treated wood or garden chemicals
Chemicals to Watch:
Glyphosate (weed killers), neonicotinoids (insecticides), CCA-treated wood (arsenic)Pet Supplies
Pets face similar chemical concerns as children - they're lower to the ground (more dust exposure), groom themselves (ingestion risk), and are smaller relative to exposure levels.
Quick Wins
- Choose stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls over plastic
- Select natural rubber or rope toys over soft PVC
- Use fragrance-free pet shampoo
Chemicals to Watch:
BPA (plastic bowls), phthalates (vinyl toys), formaldehyde (pressed wood pet furniture)Automotive
Quick Wins
- Open windows to air out new cars (off-gassing from interior materials)
- Choose fragrance-free car care products
- Use microfibre cloths instead of chemical-heavy interior cleaners
Chemicals to Watch:
VOCs (new car smell), flame retardants (seats, dashboards)Books & Stationery
Generally a lower-concern category, but some items warrant attention.
Quick Wins
- Choose water-based markers and paints over solvent-based
- Avoid scented markers and erasers (especially for children)
Tools & Hardware
Quick Wins
- Use low-VOC finishes, stains, and sealants
- Wear appropriate PPE when using chemical products
- Work in well-ventilated areas