My husband and I just built a new house! We were definitely in over our heads since this was our first time building, but regardless, we wanted to prioritize creating a space that supports our health as much as possible—while keeping budget in mind and without driving ourselves crazy! In today’s post, I’ll be sharing some easy, achievable ways we tried to create a more conscious home environment, in case you’re looking for some inspo for your own dwelling!
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Checked lumber & moisture levels during construction 🔨
Unfortunately, I’ve learned that moisture content isn’t often top of mind for most contractors, so you’ll need to advocate for it yourself and be diligent!
Our house was framed during the middle of a hot, humid, wet summer, and we even had flooding. I purchased a moisture meter to check how wet the wood was; an ideal range is 15-19% before any insulation or drywall goes in, otherwise, mold can start to creep in. We also asked our builder to bring in fans and industrial dehumidifiers to speed the drying process.
In addition, I kept an eye on the lumber and requested to swap out pieces that were mildewed or rotten!
Tested our well water & installed a water filter 🚰
A common misconception is that private well water is purer than city tap water and therefore doesn’t require filtration. Unfortunately, even deep groundwater remains susceptible to contamination, especially if you live near industrial activity, agricultural runoff, or a golf course.
I used a Tap Score water testing kit for my well water, which screens for 116 contaminants, including bacteria, heavy metals, disinfection byproducts, pesticides, and VOCs. It even shows you your water’s pH, minerals, hardness, total dissolved solids, and alkalinity. I was shocked that the water scored a 57/99!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for $10 off orders $100+ 🏷️
Related post: “How to Test Your Home Water Quality with Tap Score (City & Well)”
Since my water was found to contain lead, arsenic, nitrates, and disinfection byproducts, I knew I wanted to continue using a water filter for my drinking water!
My go-to is a Pure Effect water filter, which I’ve had for years. I have the unit that goes underneath the counter and dispenses from a beverage faucet next to the sink. It removes contaminants such as fluoride, chlorine, pesticides, VOCs, PFAS, heavy metals, and microplastics while retaining beneficial minerals.
Buy Pure Effect Water Filters Here
Related post: “The Most Effective Water Filter Brand & Common Tap Water Contaminants to Avoid”
Water pans under appliances 💧
Water drip trays are a simple way to catch and redirect leaks, preventing mold or water damage. It’s recommended to place them underneath appliances that use water, such as washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, furnaces, and sinks.
You can find inexpensive plastic ones or these heavy-duty galvanized steel drain pans, which I have.
On my wishlist: a water leak detector with an automatic shut-off valve.
Air purifiers 💨
Between fresh paint, off-gassing materials, and construction dust, that “new house smell” isn’t doing your health any favors!
I have AirDoctor UltraHEPA purifiers, which capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.003 microns and most VOCs. They filter out smoke, bacteria, viruses, pollen, gases, dust, pet dander, and more. Hello, clean and fresh air! They’re also helpful if you suffer from allergies.
Use my link for $110-$300 automatic discounts 🏷️
(You can also get plants that naturally purify the air, like Areca Palm, Lady Palm, Ficus, English Ivy, or Boston Fern)
Dehumidifer 🪟
Even though we finished our build in the middle of winter, we’ve been running a dehumidifier in the basement while the house settles! There may be excess moisture from construction materials during the first year or so, and keeping humidity low can prevent mold, warping, and damage. Ideally, you want between 25-55% humidity indoors—anything lower is too dry, and anything higher is conducive to mold growth.
Circadian-friendly light bulbs 💡
Does anyone else DESPISE bright overhead lights?! They’re so jarring! I also try my best to avoid blue light at nighttime to support my circadian rhythm—it can really mess with your sleep and lead to eye strain!
In my kitchen and living room, I swapped out the can lights for these Healthy Home light bulbs. They have three settings (daylight, sunset, campfire) and are low-EMF, flicker-free, warm light. I use the BR30 size, but they offer multiple options. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA works for a discount.
Then, in the bedroom, I use these Bon Charge red lights that are free from any blue or green wavelengths. They’re flicker-free and low EMF, too. It makes a nice, calming ambiance that helps me unwind after a long day. They’re even warmer and dimmer than the Healthy Home light bulbs, so I prefer them in the bedroom rather than in a main space. I have some Bon Charge red night lights, too! Code ORGANICALLYBECCA works for a discount.
My house is QUITE the vibe in the evening 😄
Healthy Home BR30 light bulbs
Bon Charge red light bulbsNon-toxic cookware 🍳
Most cookware, particularly the non-stick kind, is coated with Teflon or “forever chemicals” (PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, etc.). When heated, these chemicals release harmful gases and are also correlated with detrimental effects on the immune, liver, and endocrine systems. They’re also super persistent in the body and don’t break down in the environment.
Conventional cookware can also contain aluminum, heavy metals, and plastic (and there’s a ton of greenwashing in the industry). Here are my fave cookware options:
- Cast iron (I like Lodge and Field brands)
- Glass (such as Pyrex for food storage or baking dishes)
- Pure uncoated ceramic (Xtrema is the only ceramic brand I use; discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA)
- Stainless steel (I like 360 Cookware, which is 18/8 non-leaching surgical-grade; discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA25)
- Titanium (I like the Our Place titanium pan)
Related post: “A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Kitchen Supplies”
Natural bedding 🛌
A frequently overlooked area is the bedroom! We spend an average of a THIRD of our lives in bed, so if you ask me, it’s pretty darn important that we try to be mindful about choosing safer materials that are in close contact with our bodies.
Many mattresses and pillows can off-gas VOCs and contain flame retardants, formaldehyde, and carcinogens. And certain fibers can be laden with microplastics or pesticides if they’re not organic. Here are some natural bedding products I use and love:
- Savvy Rest organic mattress, duvet insert, pillows, and body pillow (discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA)
- Silk & Snow cotton weighted blanket
- Pact organic cotton bed sheets and duvet cover (discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA)
Related post: “How to Create a Natural & Non-Toxic Bedroom with Savvy Rest Products”
Low tox cleaning products & no fragrances 🧼
Sometimes, it’s more about what you DON’T bring into the house that counts!
For example, I avoid undisclosed synthetic fragrances which can contain endocrine disruptors, phthalates, respiratory irritants, and asthmagens (plus contribute to poor air quality). They’re in everything from your hand soap, laundry detergent, cleaning products, and candles. So it’s smart to choose fragrance-free or naturally scented options when possible.
Not to mention, a 2018 study found that regularly breathing in household cleaning sprays could be as damaging to your lungs as smoking a 20-pack of cigarettes a day!
I primarily use Branch Basics for cleaning; it’s an all-purpose concentrate that you dilute and use throughout the home. No fragrances, plant-based, non-GMO, biodegradable, and safe for the whole family.
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
No shoes in the house 👟
Shoes can track in dirt, bacteria, poop, pesticides, allergens, and lots of other nasties. Leave ‘em at the door, especially if you have little babies crawling around on the floor!
I have this cute “Please Remove Your Shoes” doormat to gently nudge guests.
…We did a lot “imperfectly” too! ✌️
Trust me, I know how overwhelming building a house can be! There are a million decisions to make, and everything is astronomically expensive. It can feel impossible to create the “green” home of your dreams. Not everyone can afford to work with holistic contractors or go above and beyond to do additional third-party inspections, for instance.
My advice is just to do the best you can and what your budget allows!
I wanted to keep it real and share some things we did that aren’t considered low tox, whether it was for budget or practicality reasons. In many cases, we stayed with what our builder included as a standard. Some examples:
- LED lights
- PVC pipes
- LVP flooring
- Cheap carpet
- Regular ole’ paint
- Non-“green” furniture
Building a healthier home doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing! Start where you can, make small swaps over time, and remember that every little bit adds up. I hope this makes it feel attainable and encourages you to create a space that supports your well-being in a way that works for you. Thanks for reading, and leave any questions below in the comments 💚
Wonderful info as always! Did you consider different insulation methods? Or did you feel the off-gassing is pretty minimal? Would love your insulation thoughts 🙂
Thanks Alexa! I didn’t dig too much into insulation, but the main thing was I just didn’t want them to do the spray foam, and thankfully my builder didn’t use that anyway!
Hi Becca, what type of insulation did you use? My builder is recommending spray foam, which I don’t want to do. I’m looking into alternatives.
Hey, I believe it’s fiberglass, we just went with what was standard with our builder.