How to Detox Your Home (Without Losing Your Mind): Simple Tips from Toxin Expert and Mom Tanya Harris

Reduce Harmful Toxins, One Small Step at a Time

When Tanya Harris’s son began showing ADHD symptoms, she didn’t just look for a quick fix—she asked a bigger question: Could something in our home be making this worse?

That moment sparked a mission.

As a childhood cancer survivor and now an environmental toxin expert, Tanya has spent years studying how everyday chemicals can quietly impact our health—and how to make safer choices without flipping your life upside down.

In this interview, Tanya joined me on the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast to share the truth about hidden toxins in our homes, how they affect our kids, and the small steps we can take today to create a healthier space.

What Is an Environmental Toxin Expert (and Why Should Parents Care)?

Tanya describes her work simply:

“I help busy families reduce the toxins in their homes that could be affecting their health.”

With a master’s degree in holistic nutrition and board certification in environmental toxins, Tanya combines science with real-life parenting experience. She’s the founder of Slightly Greener Creations and the author of the upcoming book The Slightly Greener Method: Detox Your Home Faster and Easier Than You Think.

The Everyday Toxins Lurking in Your Home

Here are some of the most common sources of toxins Tanya urges parents to watch for:

Plastics and Food Storage

• BPA and phthalates in food containers and water bottles

• Even "BPA-free" plastics may use similar harmful chemicals

Household Cleaners

• Products with artificial fragrances or unlabeled ingredients

• Mold and mildew sprays with respiratory warnings

Laundry Detergents

• Optical brighteners and sodium lauryl sulfate can irritate skin and linger in fabrics

Air Fresheners and Candles

• Plug-ins, room sprays, and scented candles may contain hormone-disrupting chemicals

Beauty and Personal Care Products

• Parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and artificial fragrances

ADHD, Behavior, and the Chemical Connection

One of the most powerful takeaways from my chat with Tanya was how chemicals like BPA and artificial colors may affect behavior—even in kids without an ADHD diagnosis.

“When we removed artificial colors and sodium benzoate preservatives from my son’s diet, his ADHD symptoms improved so much the school no longer wanted to test him,” Tanya shared.

Studies suggest certain additives and toxins can trigger ADHD-like symptoms, impact hormone balance, and contribute to long-term health issues.

The READ Method: How to Get Started Without Overwhelm

Tanya’s Slightly Greener Method focuses on small, practical steps that fit into real life. Her READ Method makes it easy to remember where to start:

✅ R – Replace plastics in your kitchen (start with your most-used containers)

✅ E – Eat organic as often as possible (especially the “Dirty Dozen” produce)

✅ A – Avoid artificial fragrances in cleaners and personal care products

✅ D – Destroy dust regularly (household dust is a major toxin carrier!)

“You don’t have to do it all at once,” Tanya reminds parents. “Focus on progress, not perfection.”

Don’t Forget About Sunscreens, Cosmetics, and More

In addition to food and cleaning products, Tanya recommends being mindful of:

• Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (avoid oxybenzone)

• Makeup and personal care products — always read ingredient labels

• DIY cleaner recipes using baking soda, white vinegar, and distilled water

Use Apps to Make Smarter Choices Easier

Tanya suggests using tools like:

• Leaping Bunny (for cruelty-free cosmetics)

• Other product scanner apps that rate ingredients for safety

The Real Goal: Stay Informed, Not Overwhelmed

For Tanya, the mission is clear:

“This isn’t about guilt. It’s about knowing better and doing better—one small step at a time.”

She compares toxin reduction to wearing a seatbelt:
“Hopefully you never need it, but it’s there for your protection.”

Get the Book and Connect with Tanya Harris

Tanya’s book, The Slightly Greener Method: Detox Your Home Faster and Easier Than You Think, comes out this August. It includes:

• Step-by-step guidance

• Ingredient checklists

• DIY cleaning recipes

• Over 100 safer brand recommendations

• App and resource suggestions

Learn more at slightlygreener.com or follow Tanya on Instagram at @slightlygreener.

Final Thoughts from Joe

As a dad, I know how overwhelming it can feel to balance everything life throws at us. Tanya’s approach reminds me that small choices—like switching out one plastic container or skipping the plug-in air freshener—can add up to big changes for our families.

Stay curious. Stay engaged. And give yourself grace along the way.