Sean Cate

Sean Cate

January 21, 2025

10 Risky Household Products You Should Throw Out Right Now

Your home might be harboring some unwanted guests – and I’m not talking about your in-laws. Take a peek under your sink or in your bathroom cabinet. Chances are, you’ll find some pretty sketchy stuff lurking there.

Old Non-Stick Pans

old pan
Credit: Pixabay

Got a scratched-up non-stick pan that’s seen better days? Chuck it. Here’s why: when that coating starts flaking off, you’re dealing with more than just a bad omelet. Scientists like Timothy Rebbeck from Harvard have found that damaged non-stick coatings can release some nasty chemicals. Sure, they’re fine when new, but once they’re scratched? Time to say goodbye.

Improper Cleaning Products

unmarked household cleaner
Credit: Unsplash

Remember those harsh-smelling cleaners your grandma swore by? A recent California study dropped a bomb: these products dumped thousands of tons of questionable chemicals into homes in 2020 alone. And get this – when you mix different cleaners, you’re basically creating a science experiment under your sink. Not the good kind, either.

Keep an Eye on Your Mattress’ Age

a stripped bed with a pillow and teddy on it
Credit: Pixabay

Still sleeping on a mattress from the stone age? Bad news: older mattresses often contain fire retardants that leak volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Yeah, that’s not helping your beauty sleep. It’s like sleeping on a chemical cloud – and not in a good way.

Beauty Products

assorted makeup brushes
Credit: Unspalsh

Here’s a scary thought: researchers found 921 common chemicals in personal care products that might be trouble. The kicker? “Almost none of these chemicals were tested for safety before hitting the shelves”. Your favorite lotion might be hiding some dirty secrets.

Read More: 13 Household Chores Your Grandparents Did That Would Never Want to Do Today

“Fresh” Air Fresheners

Woman spraying air freshener at home, closeup.
Source: Shutterstock

That pine-scented freshener making your bathroom smell like a forest? It might be filling your air with VOCs. It’s like spraying a chemical cocktail into your air. Pro tip: open a window instead.

Mothballs

Many Naphthalene mothballs isolated on wooden background. It is also known as moth flakes, naphthalin, antimite, and hexalene.
Source: Shutterstock

If you’re still using mothballs, we need to talk. These little stinkers contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Translation? They’re basically little balls of “nope.” Your clothes deserve better protection.

Old Plastic Containers

old tupperware
Credit: Unsplash

Got a drawer full of stained plastic containers? Time for an upgrade. These old-school plastics, especially ones with BPA, are like tiny chemical leaching factories. When you heat them up? Even worse.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

water going down a drain
Credit: Pixabay

That super-strong drain cleaner might be clearing your pipes, but at what cost? These bad boys are among the most caustic chemicals you can legally buy. Your pipes (and lungs) will thank you for switching to gentler methods.

Read More: 21 Illegal Household Items You Might Be Unknowingly Keeping

Old Paint and Solvents

a very old paint can
Credit: Unsplash

Got half-empty paint cans from 2010 hanging around? They’re not aging like fine wine. Those VOCs are just getting more concentrated. Time to make a trip to the hazardous waste facility.

Your Laundry Routine

laundry in a machine
Credit: Unsplash

Think your clothes are clean? Those conventional detergents and fabric softeners might be leaving behind more than fresh scents. They’re basically giving your clothes a chemical hug that doesn’t let go.

Clean House, Clean Life

a clean dining room and living room setup
Credit: Unsplash

Ready to detox your home? Don’t just toss everything in the trash – many of these items need special disposal. Here’s what to do instead:

Get friendly with natural cleaners (vinegar and baking soda are your new best friends). Switch to glass or stainless steel containers. Hunt down VOC-free paints. Try natural pest control. Embrace fragrance-free laundry products.

Remember what the experts at the National Cancer Institute say: your cancer risk depends on lots of factors, including “the amount and duration of the exposure”. While you can’t bubble-wrap your life, you can definitely kick these risky products to the curb.

Now, who’s ready for a safer spring cleaning?

Read More: 6 Ways to Ways To Deal With Household Mold Naturally