So what are the Things I Don’t Buy Anymore? Well if it ends in “-ol” or “-ethoxylate,” it’s probably not welcome in my home anymore
We all have those things we toss into our trolley out of habit — products we’ve used for years, often because they smell nice or promise something shiny like “spring freshness” or “kills 99.9% of germs.” I used to be that shopper.
But then I learned to read the labels. If you’re not sure about a product or brand take a look at Ethical Consumer to point you in the right direction.
And let me tell you — once you know what’s actually in many everyday products, you can’t go back. Words like ethoxylates, glycol, or anything ending in -ol became instant red flags in my book. These ingredients can be irritating, toxic to wildlife, and absolutely not aligned with low-tox, sustainable living.
So today, I’m sharing 6 things I don’t buy anymore, and what I use instead. Spoiler: just because it smells like “fresh linen” doesn’t mean it’s actually clean.
Things I Don't Buy Anymore - I Ditched Products With “-ol” and “-ethoxylate”
Many conventional cleaning and personal care products contain chemical ingredients ending in -ol (like ethanol, butanol) or -ethoxylate (like laureth-7 or nonylphenol ethoxylate). These are often linked to:
Indoor air pollution
Skin and respiratory irritation
Endocrine disruption
Environmental harm (especially to aquatic life)
And the kicker? They’re not even necessary.
So here are the 6 things I don’t buy anymore — plus the natural, low-waste swaps I’ve made that work just as well (or better!).
1. Fabric Softener
I used to love that soft, sweet-smelling laundry feeling — until I realised what was behind it. Fabric softeners often contain quats (linked to asthma and reproductive harm), synthetic fragrances, and yes, ethoxylates.
Why I stopped buying it:
It’s basically a layer of chemical residue sitting on your clothes, right next to your skin.
What I use now:
Plain white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil if you miss the scent. It softens clothes and helps rinse out leftover detergent naturally.
2. Multi-Surface Cleaning Sprays
Back in the day, I had a spray for every room. But once I actually flipped the bottle over, I saw ethanol, butyl cellosolve, and non-specific “fragrance” ingredients — many of which can irritate lungs and pollute waterways.
Why I stopped buying them:
They’re overkill — literally. Most everyday cleaning doesn’t require antimicrobial chemicals.
My sustainable swap:
A DIY all-purpose spray: equal parts vinegar and water, a splash of rubbing alcohol, and essential oils like tea tree or eucalyptus. Simple, effective, non-toxic.
3. Air Fresheners and Plug-ins
If you’ve ever had a headache after walking into a room with one of those plug-in air fresheners, you’re not alone. Most contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), phthalates, and synthetic fragrances — and companies aren’t even required to disclose what’s in them.
Why I don’t buy them anymore:
They don’t clean the air; they mask odours with potentially harmful chemicals.
What I do instead:
DIY Bcarb and essential *oil air freshener
Use *essential oil diffusers
- Open a window! Nature’s air freshener.
*always check which essential oils are safe to use around children and pets
Why I Ditched Products With “-ol” and “-ethoxylate”
4. Shampoo in Plastic Bottles
This one was tough. I was hooked on the shine, the lather, the smell. But I wasn’t a fan of the sulfates, alcohols, PEGs (polyethylene glycols), and — you guessed it — ethoxylates in many big-brand shampoos.
Why I gave it up:
These ingredients strip your scalp, dry your hair, and pollute our waterways.
My switch:
A natural shampoo bar from a zero-waste shop. No plastic bottle, no sketchy ingredients, and my scalp has never been happier.
5. Conventional Washing-Up Liquid
I never thought twice about dish soap until I read that many contain nonylphenol ethoxylates — banned in the EU, but still floating around elsewhere. They’re hormone-disrupting and toxic to aquatic life. No thanks.
Why it’s off my list:
If I wouldn’t drink it (which I obviously wouldn’t), I don’t want it on my plates.
What I use instead:
A solid dish soap bar or refillable eco-friendly liquid. Paired with a wooden brush or compostable sponge — job done.
6. Floor Cleaners With Synthetic Fragrance
Bright green bottles promising lemony clean floors? I was sold — until I read the label. Many contain glycol ethers (yet another -ol), which are linked to everything from fatigue to fertility issues.
Why I stopped buying them:
I didn’t want to be walking barefoot through a chemical film.
My natural floor cleaner:
Hot water, white vinegar, a few drops of castile soap and essential oils. It leaves the floors clean without any fake “clean smell.”
Final Thoughts: What Clean Really Means
Making the switch away from these products wasn’t overnight. It started with curiosity, turned into label-reading, and eventually became a lifestyle.
The truth is: Clean doesn’t have a smell.
It doesn’t foam in unnatural colours.
And it certainly doesn’t need a long list of unpronounceable ingredients.
So if you’re just starting to rethink your shopping habits, these are a few of the things I don’t buy anymore that made the biggest impact — for my health, my home, and the planet.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness. And once you know better, you can shop better.
Want to start your own low-tox journey?
Grab my free printable checklist of “Things I Don’t Buy Anymore” and get inspired with easy swaps you can start today. 💚
