Creating a Cozy, Non-Toxic Home Without the Overwhelm
I have always loved a good-smelling product. For years, I could lose myself in the candle aisles of popular stores — smelling every jar, deciding on favorites, and going home with way too many.
But about ten years ago, I stumbled across an article that changed everything. It explained how many well-known candle and scent brands are filled with toxins. In fact, one study revealed that using some store-bought cleaners in your home can be worse than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. A day!
That was a turning point for me. I started making my own cleaner — nothing fancy at first, just simple ingredients. What began as a small personal choice eventually grew into my passion for Sparrow’s Nesting Place.
As I dug deeper, I learned more about the hidden toxins in everyday household products. Honestly? It felt overwhelming. I caught myself thinking, “Well, I guess we’ll all just breathe in toxins every day, because it’s everywhere.” But then I realized I didn’t have to change everything at once. Instead, I could make small swaps that, over time, would make a big difference.
And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing ever since — little by little, choosing better products, adding and subtracting as I go, and creating a healthier, cozier space for my family.
The best part? Cozy doesn’t have to mean toxic. The scents, textures, and atmosphere we crave can come from healthier, more natural sources. Over the years, I’ve developed my own scent blends and cozy rituals that I now get to share with you through SNP.
If you’re just starting your own journey toward a cozy, non-toxic home, here are a few simple tips that won’t overwhelm you:
1. Swap Your Everyday Cleaners & Sprays
Most big-box store sprays and cleaners use fillers like phosphates — essentially tiny plastics you end up breathing in and spraying all over your home. Some studies even show microplastics being discovered in human brains. Instead, choose natural, phosphate-free products. (This is why I’m so intentional about every ingredient in SNP sprays.)
2. Cozy Up With Merino Wool
This one might surprise you (knitter here!) — switch to 100% merino wool socks and clothing in the colder months. Unlike blends with fillers, merino wool is natural, breathable, anti-itchy, and incredibly cozy. My warmest winter days always include my favorite merino socks.
3. Choose 100% Soy Candles
Many candles are made with wax fillers that release toxins and even plastics into the air. Instead, choose 100% soy candles from small businesses. You’ll not only support artisans who carefully control what goes into their products, but you’ll also enjoy cleaner, cozier air in your home. At SNP, every candle is poured in small batches with custom, phosphate-free scent blends.
4. Layer Cozy Textures & Atmosphere
Coziness isn’t just about scent. Add plaid blankets, a few houseplants, warm lighting, and your favorite candle, and suddenly your space feels inviting and peaceful.
5. Declutter & Donate
A cozy home is also a peaceful home. Decluttering reduces chaos, while donating gives new life to items you no longer use. Sometimes I don’t have the energy for a big project, so I simply bring a small bag to a local donation center. Less clutter = more cozy.
Start Simple.
Any lifestyle change can feel overwhelming if you try to do it all at once. My encouragement? Start small. Even little changes add up to a big difference for your health, your home, and your peace of mind.
That’s why I put together a Free Cozy Non-Toxic Home Checklist — to give you a simple starting point. You don’t have to do everything today. Just begin.
Download your free cozy non-toxic home checklist here.
