Product category

Baby & Kids Products

Little ones are closer to the floor, mouth more things, and have developing systems — so a few cautious, low-regret choices are worth making here.

What this covers

Baby bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, wipes, lotion, shampoo, diapers, plates, cups, toys, and sleepwear.

Start here

Switch to glass or stainless steel bottles, and never microwave milk/formula in plastic.

Baby Bottles & Sippy Cups

Moderate

Repeated heating (formula, sterilising) plus constant mouthing — so material choice matters more here than almost anywhere.

What to check: The MATERIAL, not just "BPA-free." For anything heated or mouthed daily, glass, stainless steel, or food-grade silicone beats plastic.

First swap

Switch to glass or stainless steel bottles, and never microwave milk/formula in plastic.

Pacifiers & Teething Toys

Moderate

These are designed to be mouthed for hours, so material quality is the whole game — food-grade silicone or natural rubber, never soft PVC.

What to check: Material. Choose silicone or natural rubber teethers; avoid soft vinyl/PVC and cheap, strongly-plastic-smelling items.

First swap

Replace any soft-vinyl or strong-smelling teether with food-grade silicone or natural rubber.

Baby Wipes

Moderate

Used many times a day on thin, sometimes broken skin — the preservative allergens (MI/MCI) and fragrance are the realistic concerns.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum" and the preservatives methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Fragrance-free + MI/MCI-free is the target.

First swap

Switch to fragrance-free, MI/MCI-free baby wipes — especially if there's any nappy-area rash.

Crib Mattress & Changing Pads

Moderate

Long nightly contact, plus two extra angles — flame- retardant chemicals in foam and VOC off-gassing from new foam.

What to check: Look for "no added flame retardants," air out new foam mattresses/pads before use, and prefer covers that aren't PFAS-treated waterproofing.

First swap

Air out a new crib mattress before use, and choose one labelled "no added flame retardants."

Baby Food Containers & Pouches

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority. Same food-storage logic as the kitchen, with the baby multiplier — reheated purees in plastic are the avoidable bit.

What to check: Store and reheat baby food in glass; treat plastic pouches as cold/ short-term only and don't heat food in them.

First swap

Store and reheat baby food in small glass jars instead of plastic.

Baby Lotion, Nappy Cream & Bath Products

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority. Lotions and nappy creams are leave-on (higher); baby wash/shampoo is rinse-off (lower). Fragrance-free is the unifying move.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum" first, then parabens, formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin), and MI/MCI for leave-on creams.

First swap

Make baby lotion and nappy cream fragrance-free first (leave-on = highest value).

Plastic Toys & Bath Toys

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority. Hard plastic toys are low concern; the watch-items are soft vinyl (especially mouthed or chewed) and grimy squeeze bath toys.

What to check: Soft vinyl/PVC, particularly on toys a baby mouths. Strong plastic smell is a flag. Squeeze bath toys trap water and mould inside — a separate hygiene issue.

First swap

Remove soft, strong-smelling vinyl toys from the under-3 mouthing pile.

Children's Sleepwear

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority — and a balance case: never sacrifice fire safety. The goal is meeting safety by FIT (snug cotton), not by added flame-retardant chemicals.

What to check: For sleepwear, choose snug-fitting cotton (which meets safety by fit) over loose styles that rely on chemical flame-retardant treatment. Read the garment tag.

First swap

Choose snug-fitting cotton sleepwear — it meets fire safety by fit, without added flame-retardant chemicals.

Waterproof Bibs, Mattress Protectors & Diapers

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority. "Waterproof" is a PFAS check-next label, and these are long-contact items — so prefer PFAS-free where you can, without overthinking it.

What to check: Look for "PFAS-free"/"PFC-free" on waterproof covers and bibs. For diapers, "fragrance-free" and reputable brands; chlorine-free is a minor plus.

First swap

Choose a PFAS-free waterproof mattress protector next time you buy one (longest-contact item).

Kids' Tableware

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority. Daily food contact, often microwaved — same kitchen logic with the baby multiplier. Watch melamine specifically with hot/acidic food.

What to check: Material. Stainless steel or tempered glass over plastic/melamine for hot food; never microwave melamine or plastic kids' dishes.

First swap

Stop microwaving food on plastic/melamine kids' dishes — heat on glass or ceramic, then serve.

Slime, Play-Dough & Kids' Craft Supplies

Lower–moderate

LOW–MODERATE priority because children handle and sometimes mouth these. Notes: boron/borax in slime (irritant if ingested), fragrance, dyes, and preservatives.

What to check: For slime, boron/borax content and hand-washing after play; for craft paints/ glues, AP/CE non-toxic marks; skip strongly scented novelty craft items for young children.

First swap

Choose AP/CE non-toxic, fragrance-free craft supplies, and have kids wash hands after slime play.

Materials to know

The everyday materials behind these products — and how they behave with heat and wear.

Cotton Glass Melamine PVC / Vinyl Plastic Polyester Silicone Stainless Steel

Labels you will see

What the claims on these products actually mean, with an honest verdict for each.

BPA Free Dishwasher Safe Flame Resistant Food Grade Fragrance Free Free & Clear / Sensitive Microwave Safe Natural / Naturally Derived Non-Toxic PFAS Free PVC Free Phthalate Free Scented Unscented Waterproof

Related chemicals

Plain-language guides to the ingredient groups that come up in this category.

BPA / BPS / Bisphenols Bisphenols on Thermal Receipts Flame Retardants Formaldehyde Formaldehyde Releasers Fragrance Compounds Isothiazolinone Preservatives Microplastics PFAS / Fluorinated Chemicals Parabens Phthalates Synthetic Dyes VOCs

Important Disclaimer

Micro Detox is an educational exposure reduction guide. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any condition. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or managing symptoms, speak with a qualified health professional.

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