Avoid Microplastics at Home: 3 Simple Swaps to Detox Your Daily Routine

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Learn how to reduce exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics with easy product swaps in your kitchen and home. Episode 113 explores how plastic pollution affects hormones, fertility, and the environment.

Episode 113 of the Practical Nontoxic Living™ podcast is the 8th most downloaded ever—and it only takes a few minutes to understand why.

In this powerful episode, Sophia Ruan Gushée unpacks how microplastics sneak into your daily routine and how small, strategic product swaps can make a big difference for your health and the environment.

"Tampons can be made of up to 90% plastic... One study found tampons to release up to 17 billion nanoplastics per tampon."

—Practical Nontoxic Living™ episode 113, Sophia Ruan Gushée

What Are Microplastics and Why Should You Care?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, and nanoplastics are even smaller—small enough to enter your bloodstream. They're found in water, food, packaging, dust, and even personal care products. While invisible to the eye, these plastics can interfere with your hormone system, increase inflammation, and contribute to long-term health concerns, including fertility challenges.

"Nanoplastics can penetrate cell membranes."

—Practical Nontoxic Living™ episode 113, Sophia Ruan Gushée

How Microplastics Enter Your Home and Body

From bottled water to plastic containers, synthetic sponges to food wraps, microplastics are everywhere. They shed from packaging, break off into our air and water, and are often ingested without our knowledge. Even seemingly "safe" products labeled as BPA-free can still release other plasticizers and chemical particles into your living space.

Top 3 Easy Product Swaps to Avoid Microplastics at Home

Below are beginner-friendly—and essential—changes to help you detox your daily routine and limit toxic exposure without disrupting your lifestyle.

1. Ditch Plastic Water Bottles for Stainless Steel

Plastic water bottles are a major source of microplastic exposure, especially when exposed to heat or reused. Opt for a stainless steel or glass water bottle to reduce your plastic intake and minimize environmental waste. Read more: "Microplastics in plastic bottled water versus tap water."

2. Store Food in Glass, Not Plastic

Plastic containers and food wraps can leach microplastics into your meals—especially when heated. Use glass food storage containers for leftovers and snacks to support long-term health and fertility. Read more: "Choosing the Best Glass Containers for Non-Toxic Living: A Comprehensive Guide."

3. Swap Synthetic Sponges for Natural Alternatives

Most cleaning sponges and scrubbers are made from plastic-based materials that shed into your sink and water system. Replace them with natural sponges or biodegradable dish brushes to reduce microplastic pollution and keep your kitchen cleaner. Click here for my household staple: Natural Kitchen Sponge - Biodegradable Compostable Cellulose and Coconut Scrubber Sponge (Amazon affiliate link).

Health Benefits of Reducing Microplastic Exposure

By limiting exposure to microplastics, you may reduce your risk of:

• Hormonal imbalances and endocrine disruption
  Studies show microplastics can act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfering with hormone function. (1)

• Fertility challenges
  Microplastics and associated plasticizers (like phthalates and BPA) have been linked to reduced fertility in both men and women. (2) (3)

• Inflammatory conditions
  Animal and in vitro studies suggest microplastics can trigger immune and inflammatory responses. (4)

• Cellular stress caused by toxic accumulation
  Micro- and nanoplastics may generate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to cellular damage. (5)

Listen to the Podcast: Avoid Microplastics at Home (Top 10 Episode #8)

Want more context? In Episode 113, Sophia explains these three product swaps in greater depth, along with the science and inspiration behind them.

🎧 Listen now to Practical Nontoxic Living™ Episode 113. Hit 'play' below or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

This episode is part of our Top 10 Countdown series, featuring the most downloaded episodes to date. Don’t miss what thousands of health-conscious listeners have loved.

Episode 113 Takeaways

• Microplastics are found in nearly 90% of protein samples.
• Nanoplastics are smaller than microplastics and can penetrate cell membranes.
• Avoiding plastic water bottles is a simple way to reduce exposure.
• Many tea bags are made of plastic, releasing billions of microplastics.
• Tampons and feminine products often contain high levels of plastic.
• Reducing the use of tampons can significantly lower plastic exposure.
• Diapers also contain plastic; consider healthier options.
• Awareness of household products can lead to better health choices.
• Research on nanoplastics is still in its early stages.
• Practical solutions can help in leading a non-toxic lifestyle.

Take the Next Step: Detox Your Home with Expert Support

Whether you want to eliminate more plastic in your life or reduce toxic exposure beyond microplastics, Ruan Living's home detox ecosystem can help you find Your Ultimate Home Detox™ with Practical Nontoxic Living™ Solutions. For example,

1. Transform your home and life with Ruan Living's flagship 40-Day Home Detox for guided detox strategies room by room.

2. Shop safer household alternatives in Ruan Living’s Curated Amazon Shop.

3. Not sure which next step is best for you? Take our Home Detox Path Assessment or enjoy our free Ultimate Home Detox™ Starter Pack.

Top 10 Practical Nontoxic Living™ Countdown

Checkout the top 10 most popular Practical Nontoxic Living™ podcast episodes as of July 2025. Click to view them with their related blog articles and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!

Select Sources

(1) Ullah S, Ahmad S, Guo X, Ullah S, Ullah S, Nabi G, Wanghe K. A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Jan 16;13:1084236. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1084236. PMID: 36726457; PMCID: PMC9885170.

(2) Patisaul HB, Adewale HB. Long-term effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on reproductive physiology and behavior. Front Behav Neurosci. 2009 Jun 29;3:10. doi: 10.3389/neuro.08.010.2009. PMID: 19587848; PMCID: PMC2706654.

(3) D'Angelo S, Meccariello R. Microplastics: A Threat for Male Fertility. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 1;18(5):2392. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052392. PMID: 33804513; PMCID: PMC7967748.

(4) Yang W, Jannatun N, Zeng Y, Liu T, Zhang G, Chen C, Li Y. Impacts of microplastics on immunity. Front Toxicol. 2022 Sep 27;4:956885. doi: 10.3389/ftox.2022.956885. PMID: 36238600; PMCID: PMC9552327.

(5) Lee SE, Yi Y, Moon S, Yoon H, Park YS. Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Mitochondria. Metabolites. 2022 Sep 23;12(10):897. doi: 10.3390/metabo12100897. PMID: 36295799; PMCID: PMC9612075.