Not long ago, I was talking with my son Benji and his girlfriend Kylee. They told me they’d started cleaning up their home—switching to organic, dye-free detergents and other products—to reduce their risks. Then they mentioned something that caught my attention: “We’re trying to avoid endocrine disruptors.”
I asked, “Which ones?”
They didn’t know. And honestly, most people don’t. But here’s the truth—neither did I, at least not when it came to the simple, everyday products like dish soap or glass cleaner. I wasn’t really thinking about those common items in that way.
That conversation made me realize something important: we need to clean up this whole “endocrine disruptors” idea and really understand what is meant by that term. It gets thrown around a lot, but what are we actually talking about? Which products matter most? And how can we take what the science shows and turn it into something useful for everyday life?
So, I did what I always do when I need clarity: I went back to the science. And thank you to Benji and Kylee for bringing this to my attention.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate metabolism, fertility, mood, growth, and sleep. They’re made in precise amounts, travel through the bloodstream, act on receptors, and are eventually metabolized in the liver and excreted.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with this finely tuned system. They can:
- Mimic hormones, binding to receptors (like BPA pretending to be estrogen).
- Block hormones, preventing them from doing their job (like phthalates affecting testosterone).
- Alter transport, changing how hormones move through the body (like PFAS binding to thyroid proteins).
- Disrupt metabolism, slowing down or speeding up hormone breakdown, leaving you with too much or too little circulating hormone.
The effects are subtle at first. You don’t notice them right away. But constant exposure over years can shift your biology in ways that lead to infertility, weight gain, insulin resistance, thyroid problems, and even cancer.
Everyday Products That Contain Endocrine Disruptors
Plastics:
We all use them—containers, bottles, wraps. The problem is that many plastics contain BPA and phthalates that leach into food, especially when heated.
- Health effects: mimic estrogen, block testosterone, linked to obesity, infertility, and early puberty.
- Better options: Use glass or stainless-steel containers, beeswax wraps, and never microwave plastic.
Nonstick Cookware:
That easy-to-clean pan is coated with PFAS, “forever chemicals” that build up in your blood and don’t leave.
- Health effects: disrupt thyroid hormones, fertility, cholesterol balance, and have been tied to cancer.
- Better options: Cook with cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic-coated, or enameled cast iron.
Laundry Detergents and Dishwasher Pods
This one surprised me. Detergents and pods leave residues on clothes and dishes that touch your skin and food every day.
- Health effects: synthetic fragrances (often carried by phthalates), dyes, and brighteners act like weak hormones and irritants. Dishwasher pods may also contain phosphates and chlorine.
- Better options: Seventh Generation Free & Clear, ECOS, or Attitude. For dishwashers: Dropps or Ecover (phosphate- and fragrance-free).
What about “free” products like All Free & Clear or Tide Free & Gentle?
They’re better than standard detergents because they remove fragrances and dyes. But they still contain brighteners and preservatives. Think of them as “better” choices, while the eco-brands are “best.”
Air Fresheners and Candles
We think they make our homes cleaner and fresher. In reality, they release phthalates, synthetic musks, and volatile organic compounds directly into the air.
- Health effects: linked to hormone disruption, asthma, headaches, and reduced sperm quality.
- Better options: Open windows, use beeswax candles, or an essential oil diffuser.
Household Cleaners
Here’s where I was really surprised. Many multipurpose sprays and antibacterial products contain quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) and triclosan.
- Health effects: quats can interfere with mitochondria and reproduction, triclosan alters thyroid metabolism.
- Better options: Simple vinegar and water, baking soda, or safer commercial brands like Branch Basics, Better Life, Seventh Generation, or Attitude.
What about Mrs. Meyer’s?
It’s a step up from conventional cleaners—no ammonia, chlorine, or triclosan—but it still contains synthetic fragrances. Good if you’re starting out, but not the cleanest choice.
Dish Soap
Even popular brands like Dawn contain dyes, preservatives, and fragrances.
- Health effects: low-level hormone interference and skin irritation; small alone but additive.
- Better options: Seventh Generation, Attitude, or ECOS fragrance-free dish soap, or diluted castile soap.
Shampoos, Conditioners, and Body Soaps
We use them daily without thinking. Many contain parabens and phthalates.
- Health effects: parabens mimic estrogen; phthalates affect testosterone.
- Better options: Acure, Attitude, Honest for shampoos/conditioners; Dr. Bronner’s, SheaMoisture fragrance-free, or unscented bar soaps for body and hand. Avoid antibacterial soaps with triclosan.
Glass Cleaners
Products like Windex are more about irritation than hormones. They contain ammonia and solvents that burn the eyes and lungs.
- Better options: Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle, use a microfiber cloth.
Receipts
Thermal paper receipts are coated with BPA or BPS. Touching them allows absorption through skin.
- Health effects: add to estrogen-like exposure, linked to metabolic and reproductive problems.
- Better options: Skip receipts, when possible, wash hands after handling.
Furniture and Carpets
Not the furniture itself, but the flame retardants and stain-resistant coatings used on them. These chemicals end up in household dust.
- Health effects: thyroid disruption, fertility problems, developmental delays in children.
- Better options: Buy untreated furniture, when possible, use a HEPA vacuum, and air out new furniture or carpets.
Putting It All Together
When Benji and Kylee told me they were trying to avoid endocrine disruptors, I realized that even I hadn’t been paying attention to many of these exposures. Plastics and cookware, yes. But detergents, soaps, and cleaners? Those weren’t on my radar.
The science shows the risks are real. Not all exposures are equal, but every layer adds up. The biggest wins come from cutting out plastics, replacing nonstick cookware, and avoiding fragranced detergents and air products. Dish soaps, shampoos, glass cleaners, and receipts matter too. Furniture and carpets add another layer, especially over time.
This isn’t about throwing everything out at once. It’s about awareness. Step by step, you make smarter swaps, reduce the static in your hormone system, and protect your health.
Take-Home Points
- Plastics → BPA, phthalates. Use glass or stainless.
- Nonstick cookware → PFAS. Switch to cast iron, stainless, ceramic.
- Detergents/pods → fragrances, dyes, residues. Choose fragrance-free eco-brands.
- Air fresheners/candles → phthalates, VOCs. Use beeswax, oils, or fresh air.
- Household cleaners → quats, triclosan. Use vinegar, baking soda, safer brands.
- Dish soap → dyes, preservatives. Use Seventh Generation, Attitude, ECOS.
- Shampoos/soaps → parabens, phthalates. Choose Attitude, Acure, Dr. Bronner’s.
- Glass cleaners → solvents, ammonia. Use vinegar + water.
- Receipts → BPA/BPS. Skip or wash hands.
- Furniture/carpets → flame retardants, PFAS. Buy untreated, vacuum with HEPA.
Living well isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning the truth, asking the right questions, and making consistent changes. Every swap matters, and over time, those small steps add up to better health.
And once again, thank you to Benji and Kylee for sparking this conversation.
Endocrine Disruptor Swap Chart:
| Item | Health Risk | Safer Alternative |
| Plastics | BPA, phthalates mimic/block hormones; linked to infertility, obesity, insulin resistance | Glass/stainless containers, beeswax wraps, avoid microwaving plastic |
| Nonstick cookware | PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) disrupt thyroid, cholesterol, fertility; linked to cancer | Cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic-coated or enameled cast iron pans |
| Laundry detergents & pods | Fragrances, dyes, brighteners act like weak hormones; skin/respiratory irritation | Fragrance- & dye-free eco-brands: Seventh Generation, ECOS, Attitude |
| Dishwasher pods | Phosphates, chlorine residues add chemical load; possible endocrine interference | Phosphate-free, fragrance-free brands like Dropps or Ecover |
| Air fresheners & candles | Phthalates, VOCs disrupt hormones, reduce fertility, cause asthma and headaches | Open windows, beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers |
| Household cleaners | Quats disrupt mitochondria/reproduction; triclosan alters thyroid metabolism | Vinegar + water, baking soda, Branch Basics, Better Life, Seventh Generation |
| Dish soap | Dyes, preservatives, fragrances add to hormone disruption and skin irritation | Fragrance-free dish soap (Seventh Generation, Attitude, ECOS), castile soap |
| Shampoos/conditioners/soaps | Parabens mimic estrogen; phthalates lower testosterone; daily exposure matters | Attitude, Acure, Honest (shampoo/conditioner); Dr. Bronner’s, SheaMoisture fragrance-free (soap) |
| Glass cleaners | Ammonia, solvents irritate lungs; not strong endocrine disruptors but add burden | Vinegar + water spray, microfiber cloth |
| Receipts | BPA/BPS absorbed through skin; mimic estrogen, affect metabolism and reproduction | Skip receipts when possible, wash hands after handling |
| Furniture & carpets | Flame retardants, PFAS coatings disrupt thyroid, fertility; accumulate in dust | Choose untreated furniture; HEPA vacuum; air out new furniture/carpets |
