7 Ways to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors in Everyday Products

Many years ago, when I first heard about endocrine disruptors I figured they were something I could worry about later. At the time, I assumed they were something hidden in industrial chemicals or rare exposures. 

What I didn’t realize was how many of them were in my everyday products. Or why it matters to avoid endocrine disruptors whenever possible.

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with our hormone balance. They affect everything from metabolism to immune function.

They’re in many products we use every day. They aren’t included because they’re good for our health. They’re in there because they make products cheaper, longer-lasting, or easier to manufacture.

Although endocrine disruptors are really common, there are some simple changes we can make to our lifestyle and the products we use that can significantly reduce our exposure.

📌 Pin for Later

This post may contain affiliate links. As a Counter Brand Partner and Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure for more information.

How to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors in Everyday Products

Learning to avoid endocrine disruptors starts with knowing where they hide. The tips below include practical ways to reduce exposure from items you use every day. I break down the basics of what endocrine disruptors are and why they matter in this post.

1. Replace Plastic Food Storage with Glass or Stainless Steel

Many plastics contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates. These chemicals can leach into food and water. The leaching becomes worse with heat, wear, and acidic or fatty foods.

Even “BPA-free” plastic isn’t really safer. Companies replaced BPA with similar chemicals like BPS and BPF. These BPA-replacements still disrupt hormones in the same ways. So when you see “BPA-free” on a label, don’t assume it’s safe.

Replacing plastic food storage with glass and stainless steel is a great place to start. I did this slowly over time, starting with the containers I used most often. Now I have peace of mind knowing chemicals aren’t leaching into my food.

What to replace first:

• Anything you microwave or reheat food in
• Containers you use daily for leftovers
• Water bottles you drink from throughout the day
• Containers for storing acidic or fatty foods

What to choose instead:

• Glass containers with lids (glass mixing bowls, glass food storage)
• Mason jars for storage
• Glass water bottles
• Silicone bags and silicone bowls
• Silicone bowl covers
• Repurpose glass containers from spaghetti sauce, condiments, etc.

Although glass, stainless steel, and silicone can cost more upfront, they last for years. When you stop having to constantly replace worn out plastic, they often save money over time.

One important rule if you still use plastic: Never microwave food in plastic, even if it is labeled microwave safe. Heat speeds up chemical leaching directly into your food.

2. Limit Canned Foods

Many cans are lined with materials that contain endocrine disruptors like BPA, BPS, or BPF. These chemicals leach into your food, especially with acidic foods like tomatoes.

Just like with plastic containers, BPA free cans aren’t necessarily safer. Many use replacement chemicals that still interfere with hormones.

Better alternatives:

Many brands sell products in shelf-stable Tetra Pak containers. Tetra Pak cartons leach far fewer chemicals than cans or plastic. Traces are still detected, but the exposure is much lower. Glass jars are even better when you can find them.

I buy Pomi tomatoes in Tetra Pak containers instead of canned. For things like soups, coconut milk, and broth, I look for glass jars first then Tetra Paks.

If you do buy canned goods, look for brands that don’t use BPA or alternatives. Eden Organics uses a different lining process that avoids bisphenols entirely.

What to look for:

• Tetra Pak containers
• Glass jars
• Eden Organics canned goods
• Fresh or frozen options when possible

One more tip: Even if you buy tomatoes or other foods in glass jars, don’t scrape food from the lid. Many jar lids still have BPA in the lining, and scratching them can release BPA directly into your food.

3. Reduce Plastic Wrap and Bag Use

Plastic wrap and bags can transfer endocrine disruptors directly to your food. This is even more likely with foods with higher fat content like cheese, meat, or anything with oil.

Finding alternatives for plastic bags and wrap can take some trial and error. However, once you find what works for your routine, it gets easy.

Better alternatives:

Reusable silicone bags work for storing food on the counter, in the fridge, and in the freezer. You can handwash and reuse them hundreds of times.

For some reason, I put this off for ages thinking it was going to be too hard to find something. Stashers bags are my go-to in place of reusable Ziploc bags.

Beeswax wraps are great for covering bowls and wrapping food. They mold to the shape with the warmth of your hands.

Mason jars work well for storing leftovers, prepped ingredients, and snacks.

For packing lunches, small stainless steel containers and mini thermoses work well. They’re durable and reusable. And Stashes has a new Kids Lunch Collection launching!

The Kids Lunch Collection includes a reusable lunch bag, sandwich bag, and snack bag and is available in 2 fun designs: Bees and Dinosaurs.

What to replace:

• Kids lunchbox essentials
• Plastic sandwich bags and snack bags
• Plastic wrap for covering bowls
• Plastic bags for storing leftovers
• Disposable plastic bags for lunches

One more tip: If you need to still use plastic bags, put parchment paper between your food and the plastic. This helps reduce direct contact with endocrine disruptors.

4. Avoid Products with “Fragrance” or “Parfum”

This is one of the most important steps you can take. The single word “fragrance” or “parfum” can hide dozens (sometimes thousands) of chemicals. Many of those chemicals are hormone disruptors, like phthalates.

This happens because of a fragrance loophole in US labeling laws. Companies can list “fragrance” as a single ingredient instead of disclosing what’s actually in their scent blend.

The problem isn’t just in a bottle of perfume. Fragrance is everywhere. It’s in most conventional products. From personal care and cleaning supplies to laundry detergent. It’s even in some products marketed as “fragrance-free” or “unscented.”

Better alternatives:

Look for products that list every single ingredient with transparency. When a product just says “fragrance,” you have no idea what chemicals you’re actually being exposed to.

If you want scented products, choose ones scented only with essential oils where each oil is listed. For example: Citrus bergamia (bergamot oil) instead of just “fragrance.” [link to safer fragrance options post coming soon]

Where fragrance hides:

• Personal care products (shampoo, lotion, body wash, deodorant)
• Cleaning products and laundry detergent
• Fabric softener and dryer sheets
• Candles and air fresheners
• Cosmetics and makeup

One more tip: Start by switching the products you use most often or that stay on your skin longest. Air fresheners, moisturizers, deodorant, and sunscreen are a good place to start.

5. Filter Your Tap Water

Many endocrine disruptors end up in the water supply. This includes bisphenols, certain pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues. Municipal water treatment doesn’t remove all of these contaminants.

Before you choose a filter, it helps to know what’s in your water. You can check the EWG Tap Water Database to see what contaminants have been detected in your area. Your town or city should also provide annual water quality reports.

Better filtering options:

For drinking water, I use the Epic Water Filter pitcher. It removes many common contaminants including chlorine, heavy metals, and some pharmaceutical residues.

For shower water, I have the Weddell Duo shower filter. You can read my full review of the Weddell water filter here.

Filtering shower water matters because you absorb chemicals through your skin and breathe in steam.

Under-sink filters offer more thorough filtration for both drinking and cooking water. They’re also more convenient than pitcher filters once installed.

What to consider:

• Pitcher filters (affordable and easy to start with)
• Shower filters (for reducing skin and inhalation exposure)
• Under-sink filters (more comprehensive for drinking and cooking water)
• Whole-house systems (most thorough but most expensive)

One more tip: Filter both your drinking water and cooking water when possible. Many contaminants don’t boil off, so unfiltered tap water in pasta, rice, or soups still exposes you.

6. Choose Safer Cookware

Nonstick cookware is coated with PFAS (forever chemicals) that can leach into your food, especially when the coating gets scratched or when you heat it at high temperatures.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or in your body. They accumulate over time and have been linked to hormone disruption, immune system problems, and other health issues.

Better cookware options:

I use a mix of ceramic, stainless steel, and cast iron cookware. I like Caraway ceramic pans. They’re nonstick and free of PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS which are chemicals that can disrupt hormones. Stainless steel is durable and versatile, and cast iron only gets better with age.

When choosing ceramic cookware, make sure it’s from a reputable brand. Not all ceramic is created equal.

What to choose:

• Ceramic Caraway (10% off with my coupon code tinamarie, it stacks with any promotion)
• Stainless steel
• Cast iron
• Carbon steel

If you’re still using nonstick pans: Never heat them empty or on high heat. Throw them out as soon as the coating scratches. But the safest option is to replace them entirely.

One more tip:  Ceramic pans need gentle care to last. Use low to medium heat and avoid metal utensils that can scratch the surface. Always handwash instead of putting them in the dishwasher.

7. Reduce Dust and Indoor Contaminants

This one surprises most people. Endocrine disruptors from furniture, electronics, and household products settle into household dust. When you breathe in dust or touch dusty surfaces, you’re being exposed to those chemicals.

Regular cleaning with the right tools reduces this exposure significantly.

Better cleaning methods:

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Regular vacuums just recirculate small particles back into the air. HEPA filters trap and remove those particles instead of spreading them around.

I use a lightweight cordless HEPA vacuum, which makes it easier to vacuum frequently.

Damp dust surfaces instead of dry dusting. Dry dusting sends particles airborne where you breathe them in. A damp cloth traps the dust so it doesn’t circulate.

Use cotton cloths for dusting, not microfiber. Microfiber cloths shed microplastics, which means you’re adding contaminants while trying to clean.

What to do:

• Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter
• Damp dust surfaces with cotton cloths
• Focus on areas where dust accumulates (windowsills, shelves, electronics)
• Avoid dry dusting or using microfiber cloths

One more tip: Take your shoes off at the door. It’s an easy way to keep outdoor chemicals out of your home and your body. Check out my other free and easy habits to start non-toxic living.

Where to Start

You can’t control every chemical you’re exposed to. But you can control what you bring into your home and put on your body.

These seven steps are a practical place to start. Which one will you try first?

Want to learn more about specific endocrine disruptors? Check out my posts on fragrance, phthalates, parabens, and BPA.