Published January 26, 2023 • Updated February 27, 2026
Reviewed by Julie Miller, BA in Language Arts, Editorial Lead, Dr. Killigan’s
TL;DR: Most toxic products to avoid at home are not rare. They’re everyday staples used indoors: mothballs, bug sprays and repellents, fragranced products and heavy-duty cleaners. This guide breaks down what to scan for on labels, including Caution, Warning or Danger and offers practical, targeted swaps that help reduce unnecessary exposure without overhauling your life.
Modern homes run on products: cleaners, sprays, repellents, fragrances and laundry solutions. Used indoors and often, they can add up fast.
The goal isn’t panic. It’s clarity.
How to choose which toxic products to replace first
If you’re unsure where to start, use this simple filter:
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What you use the most
Begin with daily-use products because they’re part of your routine.
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What you use indoors
Focus on what you use in your kitchen, bedroom and laundry area.
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What lingers
Pay attention to products that leave residue behind, including sprays, foggers, surface coatings and anything applied to fabrics.
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What comes with strong warnings
Take a closer look at signal words like Caution, Warning or Danger on pesticide and chemical labels.
Start small. Swap one or two high-use products first. Use up what you have, then buy differently next time.
5 common toxic products to avoid at home
1. Mothballs
Why they’re worth a closer look
Mothballs work by releasing vapors in enclosed spaces. In closets and storage bins those vapors can linger, especially with frequent use. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) flags naphthalene as a higher-concern ingredient, citing hazard concerns including aquatic toxicity and potential eye-related effects. For many households, that’s reason enough to skip mothballs.
What to scan for
Look for ingredients like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Pay attention to strong precautionary statements and “Keep out of reach of children” language. Many mothball labels also include detailed first-aid instructions (eyes, swallowed, skin, inhaled) which is a clear signal this is a product to handle and store with extra care.
A safer approach
Skip mothballs for routine closet protection. Use Dr. Killigan’s Clothing Moth Traps to catch and monitor adult moths, then add Cedar Planks in drawers and closets for ongoing deterrence. Pair that with sealed storage, regular inspection and routine cleaning to keep moth pressure low over time.
2. Insect repellents (on-skin and outdoor use)
Why they’re worth a closer look
Many insect repellents and bite-prevention sprays are pesticide products, even if they’re marketed like everyday personal care. That matters because they’re applied directly to skin, clothing and kids’ gear.
For context, research published in the National Library of Medicine notes that over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States each year and about 5.6 billion pounds worldwide, including products used in and around homes. Pesticides are designed to affect living organisms, which is exactly why label directions and dosing matter. Misuse can lead to irritation or other adverse reactions and higher exposure generally carries higher risk.
Some research and advocacy groups raise concerns about potential longer-term effects from pesticide exposure. If you want to dig deeper into reported associations, Beyond Pesticides maintains a Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database summarizing published research.
What to scan for
Start with the front label, then read the fine print.
- Active ingredient (what's doing the work)
- Directions + reapplication timing (more is not better)
- Age restrictions and use limits
- Where it can be applied (skin vs clothing)
- Any extra warnings or "avoid eyes and mouth" guidance
For an extra layer of label literacy, cross-check products in the EWG's Guide to Bug Repellents and compare ingredients and ratings before you buy.
A safer approach
Use repellent when conditions call for it, not by default. Apply only to exposed areas, avoid hands and faces (especially for kids) and wash treated skin when you’re back indoors. Reduce bite pressure with simple barriers first: long sleeves, window screens, fans on patios and removing standing water near the home.
If you’re asking, “Is mosquito repellent safe for humans?” the most honest answer is: it depends on the product and how it’s used. Follow the label, avoid overuse and choose the mildest effective option for your situation.
3. Indoor bug sprays and foggers
Why they’re worth a closer look
“Total release” foggers (bug bombs) and broad indoor sprays are designed to spread pesticide across a space. That means it can settle on floors, counters, soft surfaces, pet bedding and anywhere air circulates.
What to scan for
Foggers and whole-room sprays are the broadest (and perhaps most blunt) tool available. On the label, watch for:
- Signal words like Caution, Warning or Danger
- "Total release fogger," "bug bomb," or "treats the whole room" language
- Broad "kills a long list of insects" claims
- Directions that require you to leave the space, cover food surfaces or follow strict re-entry and ventilation steps
Researching harmful chemicals in pest control products? Whole-room dispersal can increase the chances of unnecessary contact with treated surfaces. For cockroach control, prioritize targeted treatments rather than broad, room-wide applications.
A safer approach
Skip whole-room fogging and broad surface saturation. Instead, use targeted methods that address insects where they travel and hide.
For direct contact, Six Feet Under® is a plant-powered, FIFRA 25(b) exempt formula designed for targeted indoor applications when used as directed. Its full ingredient list—including cinnamon oil and clove oil—is disclosed on the product packaging, so you know exactly what you’re using.
For longer-tail control in cracks, crevices and voids, Dust to Dust® offers a mechanical approach rather than a synthetic chemical one. The fine powder works by physically affecting an insect’s outer layer on contact, leading to dehydration. Because the mode of action is mechanical, not biochemical, insects do not develop immunity in the way they can with conventional chemical insecticides.
Used together with clean habits and preventative measures, targeted treatments provide control without broadcasting product across the entire room.
4. Fragrance products (plug-ins, sprays, candles and scented goods)
Why they’re worth a closer look
Fragrance products are designed to release scent compounds into the air—sometimes continuously, as with plug-ins and diffusers. In the case of scented candles, combustion can also introduce soot and additional byproducts into indoor air, especially in smaller or poorly ventilated rooms. Unlike a cleaner you rinse away, scent remains present in the environment.
On a label, the words “fragrance” or “natural fragrance” can stand in for a mixture of undisclosed scent compounds, even when the product appears plant-based. Some blends use additives such as phthalates to help scent last longer. Certain fragrance ingredients have been associated with respiratory irritation and hormonal disruption and a number have been evaluated for potential carcinogenic or neurotoxic effects depending on exposure and dose. The challenge isn’t always one ingredient—it’s the cumulative, layered exposure across multiple products used daily.
Because these compounds are airborne by design, they can settle onto surfaces and fabrics and come into contact with skin long after you’ve sprayed, warmed or worn them.
Disclosure gaps are not uncommon. In its review of household cleaners, the EWG reported that only about seven percent of products adequately disclosed their ingredients on labels or online.
That lack of transparency is reason enough to pay attention.
What to scan for
- The word "fragrance" or "parfum" shown without individual scent ingredients
- "Natural fragrance" claims without naming the source oils
- Highly persistent scent in enclosed spaces
- Ingredient lists that don’t list ingredients clearly
If ingredient transparency matters to you, favor brands that clearly disclose ingredients rather than relying on proprietary blends. For additional guidance, EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning reviews ingredient disclosure and formulation transparency across household categories.
A safer approach
Start with the source. Improve ventilation, remove odor-causing buildup and use simple absorbers like baking soda before masking a smell.
When possible, choose fragrance-free products across categories—not just air care, but laundry detergents, body products, hand soaps and surface cleaners. In practice, it’s the stacking that gets people. And even when a label says “unscented,” read the ingredient list to confirm. Some “unscented” formulas still contain masking fragrances designed to neutralize odor rather than eliminate it.
A clean home should smell like nothing at all.
5. Heavy-duty cleaning products
Why they’re worth a closer look
Disinfecting wipes, degreasers, mold removers and bathroom cleaners are formulated to break down grime and kill microbes. That often means stronger solvents, antimicrobial agents or oxidizing chemicals.
Unlike soap and water, these products are designed to alter biological or chemical structures—which is why ventilation instructions and signal words matter.
Some cleaning formulations contain stronger preservatives or solvents that have been evaluated for hormone disruption or carcinogenic potential depending on exposure and dose. Healthcare organizations have noted that everyday household products can raise safety questions, especially with frequent use indoors.
The bigger issue is overuse: heavy-duty formulas for routine messes where milder options work.
What to scan for
- Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”)
- Ethanolamines
- Triclosan
- Ventilation or protective-glove instructions for everyday tasks
- Strong signal words like Caution, Warning or Danger
If you’re researching unsafe cleaning products, start by asking whether the formula matches the job.
A safer approach
Use the mildest effective product for the task. For most daily cleaning, soap and water paired with microfiber cloths are sufficient.
Simple all-purpose cleaner (light-duty)
- ½ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup bicarbonate of soda
- 2 liters (or approximately 8 cups) water
- Use: counters, sinks and everyday wipe-downs
- Note: test on a small area first. Do not use on natural stone. Never mix vinegar with bleach or other disinfectants
Reduce the number of specialized cleaners you keep on hand. A simpler lineup often lowers cumulative exposure and simplifies label literacy.
Lemon juice and castile soap can also serve as versatile household options.
Reserve heavy-duty disinfectants for specific situations that call for them and always use as directed.
A final word
Most of these products aren’t rare. They’re the defaults many of us grew up with: mothballs in the closet, bleach, dryer sheets, a “fresh” scent that clings to everything.
If you’ve used them, you’re not behind. You’re normal.
The point of this guide isn’t perfection. It’s control. Read the label. Notice the signal words. Use the mildest effective option. And when you swap, swap one thing you use often.
If pest control is one of your first swaps, keep it targeted. Reach for Six Feet Under® for plant-powered, kill-on-contact control when used as directed. Use Dust to Dust® for a mechanical approach in the places insects move through. And for closets and storage, add Clothing Moth Traps to monitor activity and reduce moth pressure over time.
Start small. Stay consistent. That’s how you build a home that feels steadier, simpler and more in your control.
Explore more
- The best essential oils for insect repellents and itchy bug bites (Which oils are commonly used, what they do and what to look for on labels.)
- How to get rid of clothes moths (Identify the moth, stop the source, then trap and prevent with a simple system.)
- How to get rid of and prevent pantry moths (Find the source fast, protect dry goods and break the lifecycle with targeted traps.)
- Why we use food-grade diatomaceous earth (How mechanical control works and why that mode of action matters.)
- What does plant-powered insect spray mean? (What “non-toxic” does and doesn’t mean, plus how to read beyond the claim.)
