Two years ago, a urine test changed everything. My stepson Dixon was showing elevated plastic-related compounds — and as a registered nurse, I knew that wasn't something I could ignore or simply medicate away. What followed was one of the most intentional, research-driven journeys of my life.
Dixon has autism. And like many parents of children on the spectrum, we were always looking for ways to help him feel more regulated, more comfortable, more himself. But when we saw those lab results, we realized our home environment — the very space meant to be his safe haven — might be working against him.
I started reading everything I could. I dug into research on endocrine disruptors, phthalates, PFAS, and fragrance chemicals. I talked to other parents. I leaned hard on my nursing background. And then we started making changes — one swap at a time.
The Swaps We Made
We didn't overhaul everything overnight. We were methodical. We started in the kitchen and worked our way through every room of the house.
KITCHEN: Replaced non-stick pans with stainless steel and cast iron. Swapped plastic bags for silicone. Moved all food storage to glass containers.
CLEANING: Eliminated all fragrance-based cleaning products. Switched to fragrance-free detergents, dish soaps, and surface cleaners.
PERSONAL CARE: New toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos, body washes, and lotions — all vetted for clean ingredients and free from harmful chemicals.
AIR QUALITY: Added air purifiers to every room. Brought in plants throughout the house. Opened windows intentionally and often.
It took time, research, and a lot of label-reading. Some swaps were easy. Others required us to try several options before finding products that actually worked — and that the whole family would use consistently. That search, honestly, is part of what led me to AwearMarket.
"Our home was supposed to be Dixon's safe space. Once I understood what was in our everyday products, I couldn't unknow it. We had to change."
What We Noticed in Dixon
The changes didn't happen overnight. But over months, we began to notice a shift. Dixon's behaviors began to settle. He seemed less reactive, less overwhelmed. His nervous system, which had always felt like it was operating on high alert, started to regulate in ways we hadn't seen before.
We can't point to a single product or a single swap and say "that was it." It was the cumulative effect of reducing his total toxic load — in the air he breathed, the products on his skin, the food storage we used every single day. His world got quieter in the best possible way.
For a child with autism, whose sensory system is already working overtime, removing these invisible stressors mattered. We believe it deeply.
My Own Story
What I haven't always shared publicly is that this journey was also deeply personal for me. Around the same time we started making changes for Dixon, I was facing my own health struggles. I had an autoimmune condition that my doctors hadn't been able to fully resolve, and I had experienced four miscarriages. The medical guidance I kept receiving pointed toward IVF.
But my nursing instincts told me to look deeper. I started researching the connection between environmental toxins and hormonal health, fertility, and autoimmune function. I made the same changes at home that I was making for Dixon — and I went further with my own personal care routine, supplements, and lifestyle.
I'm not a doctor, and I'm not here to make medical claims. What I will say is this: the doctors said IVF was likely my only path. I chose to try a different path first — one rooted in reducing inflammation, eliminating toxins, and supporting my body as naturally as I could.
At 41 years old, I conceived naturally.
After four miscarriages and years of uncertainty, our baby boy is on his way. I believe with my whole heart that the work we did in our home — for Dixon, and for ourselves — played a role in that miracle.
Why I'm Sharing This
I share this story not to suggest that clean living is a cure for anything — autism, infertility, autoimmune conditions are complex, and every person's journey is different. I share it because I wish someone had told me sooner that the products in our home matter. That fragrance is not just a scent. That plastic isn't just packaging. That our bodies — and especially our children's developing bodies — are absorbing what surrounds them every day.
This is the heart of AwearMarket. We are not here to sell you fear. We are here to make it easier to find the products that have already been vetted, tested, and trusted — so you don't have to spend months doing what I did. We've done the research so you can spend that time with the people you love.
Dixon is thriving. Our baby boy is coming. And our home has never felt more like the safe haven it was always meant to be.
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Written by Tracey Greene
Tracey Greene is a registered nurse and Customer Care specialist at AwearMarket. She lives in the Asheville, NC area with her partner Bryan and their family.
