I’ll never forget the moment I realized how much trust I was placing in labels. “Natural.” “Baby-safe.” “Dermatologist-tested.” It all sounded so comforting—until I met Emily Velasco, founder of Living the Cleaner Life, a California mom of two (and four dogs!) whose story opened my eyes in the best way.
Emily’s journey started like so many of ours do—with her baby. When her oldest was just six months old, he started having awful reactions to sunscreen. After testing, the culprit wasn’t the sun—it was the product itself. The “gentle” chemical-based sunscreen she trusted was full of harsh ingredients that irritated his skin. That moment sent her on a mission to understand what was really inside the products lining her home.
Years later, after losing her father to Crohn’s disease and then rectal cancer, that mission became personal. She began helping other families remove harmful products, one swap at a time—not out of fear, but out of empowerment.
As she shared her story with me on the We Got You Mama Podcast, I found myself nodding (and occasionally cringing) as I thought about how often I’ve reached for the “green” label at the store, assuming it meant safe. Turns out, the world of “clean living” isn’t as clear as we’d like to think.
The Myth of “Clean”
Emily said something that stuck with me:
“Clean doesn’t mean complicated—it just means conscious.”
So simple. So true.
The sad reality is that many of our household products are marketed as healthy but aren’t actually regulated for safety. The word “fragrance” alone can hide thousands of chemicals—many linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and even long-term health effects.
I don’t say that to scare you. I say it because I wish someone had told me sooner. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it—and you start to feel empowered to make small, meaningful changes.
Tiny Swaps, Big Wins
One of my favorite things about Emily’s approach is that she isn’t about guilt or all-or-nothing thinking. She calls it the “one swap at a time” method. You don’t need to throw everything out and start over—you just begin with what touches your family the most.
Here are a few that made a big difference for me:
- Skin products: Swap chemical sunscreens for mineral-based ones with zinc oxide. Ditch “fragrance” for essential oil–based scents.
- Laundry: Replace dryer sheets with wool balls and fragrance-free detergent. The air in our homes can actually be more polluted than the air outside—so this one is a game-changer.
- Cookware: Get rid of non-stick PFAS-coated pans and use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic instead.
- Storage: Trade plastic containers and baggies for glass jars or silicone alternatives like Stasher bags.
- Candles: Choose soy, coconut, or beeswax with listed essential oils. No mystery “parfum” blends that make your head spin.
These swaps aren’t about fear—they’re about peace of mind. When you start making them, something subtle shifts. You breathe deeper. Your space feels lighter. You realize, oh… this is what clean can feel like.
The Power of Awareness
Here’s the thing: moms are busy. We’re juggling a thousand things—who has time to decode chemical ingredients? But awareness doesn’t have to feel heavy.
It starts with one question:
“Do I know what’s in this?”
If the answer is no, flip the bottle over. If the brand isn’t transparent, that’s your answer.
And if you’re not sure, Emily recommends scanning products with the EWG Healthy Living or Think Dirty apps to get a quick rating. It’s not about perfection—it’s about knowledge.
Because once you know better, you can do better… one small change at a time.
Progress Over Perfection
I remember Emily saying something that instantly grounded me:
“You can’t control the whole world—but you can control your home.”
There’s so much pressure to be the “perfect mom.” But perfection is paralyzing.
Clean living isn’t about achieving some toxin-free utopia—it’s about reducing what you can, controlling what’s within reach, and letting go of the rest.
Maybe that means you start with your skincare, or your kid’s shampoo, or the candles you burn at night after everyone’s finally asleep. Maybe you make a swap once a month. That’s still movement forward.
It’s okay to start small. In fact, it’s better that way. Because this isn’t a sprint—it’s a lifestyle built on awareness, not anxiety.
A Ripple Effect
What I love most about this mindset is that it doesn’t just change what’s under your sink—it changes your consciousness.
When you model mindfulness around what you bring into your home, your kids see that. They start reading labels with you. They become curious about where things come from. And little by little, you’re raising conscious consumers—kids who care not just about what they eat or wear, but how their choices affect others and the planet.
It’s not about fear. It’s about freedom.
Freedom to make choices that align with your values, your body, and your family’s future.
The Emotional Side of “Clean”
Something I didn’t expect from this conversation was how emotional it made me. When Emily talked about her dad’s illness and the sense of urgency she felt to protect her own family, it reminded me that this isn’t just about cleaner air or safer lotions—it’s about legacy.
We pass down more than genetics. We pass down habits, awareness, and the example of what it looks like to live with intention.
Maybe clean living starts with a bottle of shampoo, but it ends with a mindset that says, I’m worthy of care. My family is worthy of health. My home deserves peace.
You’re Not Behind, Mama
If you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. You’re not behind—you’re beginning.
You don’t need a fancy label or a full pantry overhaul to live “cleaner.” You just need curiosity.
Ask questions. Swap one product. Notice how it feels.
It’s not about removing every toxin—it’s about adding more love, awareness, and intention into the places you spend the most time.
Because when your home feels lighter, you feel lighter.
When your air feels fresh, your thoughts feel clearer.
And when you know you’re making empowered choices for your family—you start to thrive.
A Final Note
If this resonates with you, I can’t recommend connecting with Emily enough. She’s real, funny, and completely judgment-free. Her website Living the Cleaner Life is filled with resources, simple swaps, and free guides to help you get started without overwhelm.
So here’s your challenge this week:
Pick one thing in your home and replace it with a cleaner version. Just one.
That’s it.
Because the truth is, every big shift starts with a tiny change.
✨ From one mama to another — progress, not perfection. That’s the cleanest kind of living there is.