Doctor Recommends To Do A Home Detox By Removing These Eight Toxic Items

Last Updated:September 03, 2025, 11:19 IST

Be it the non-stick pans in the kitchen or the artificial fragrances in your laundry detergent, you need to be mindful of the health risks.

Your regular plastic water bottles might also be posing a silent health risk. (News18)

Among the many everyday products we use, also lurking are certain toxic items that may be harming our bodies and affecting our health in multiple ways without us realising. Be it the non-stick pans in the kitchen or the artificial fragrances in your laundry detergent, you need to be mindful of the health risks these entail and immediately remove such products for a much-needed home detox.

Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, hepatologist and interventional endoscopist, who trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, says such home items could be silently disrupting your gut health, triggering inflammation and causing hormonal imbalance. Dr Sethi took to Instagram and named eight household items people should immediately get rid of. “Reducing your toxic load is one of the easiest ways to support your gut, brain, and hormones,” he explained. Here are your eight hidden culprits.

Scratched Non-Stick Pans

First up, Dr Sethi suggests removing Damaged Teflon or PTFE pan from your kitchen. The health professional identifies these as extremely dangerous to one’s health. When put on high heat, Teflon releases microplastics that can then be a part of the food you intake and cause Teflon flu through its toxic fumes. “If it’s damaged, it’s done,” Sethi insists. People should “switch to ceramic, cast iron, or stainless steel” utensils that are considered safer.

Artificial Sweeteners

Consuming artificial sweeteners is “linked to glucose intolerance and microbiome shifts,” says Dr Sethi. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose can be harmful to one’s gut bacteria and create blood sugar level complications. For Sethi, it is best to switch to monk fruit (pure), stevia (pure), or real fruit.

Plastic Water Bottles

Your regular plastic water bottles might also be posing a silent health risk. BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical found in plastics, can mix with food or drinks we intake and raise our blood toxin levels. When exposed to dry summers and heat, even BPA-free plastics may leach chemicals that could cause chemical and hormonal disruptions. The doctor recommends switching to stainless steel or glass bottles for safer use.

Packaged Foods

The ultra-processed packaged foods we consume contain seed oils, preservatives, gums and emulsifiers that raise dangers to our gut health and metabolism.

Air Fresheners

You may think your scented candles and fresheners are adding fragrance to your rooms. But these contain phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), medically known to disrupt hormones and cause inflammation. Dr Sethi recommends switching to beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers or the traditional ventilation techniques.

Antibacterial Soaps

Antibacterial Soaps with triclosan could be harming your body without you realising it. Triclosan is known for its antibacterial and antifungal benefits, carrying a chemical compound that kills harmful bacteria. However, according to Dr Sethi, its excessive use may “harm your skin barrier” and cause other health risks.

Laundry Detergents

Laundry detergents with added fragrance sold in the market contain heavy levels of phthalates and synthetic chemicals that latch on to your clothes and subsequently, your skin. “It can disrupt hormones and irritate sensitive systems over time,” says Dr Sethi. Fragrance-free detergents or wool dryer balls with essential oils are healthier replacements, the doctor insists.

Processed Meats

Fresh chicken or mutton is always better than processed meats full of preservatives available in the market. Dr Sethi explains, “Processed meats are often packed with sodium nitrite, nitrate, and other preservatives linked to gut inflammation, microbiome disruption, and even colorectal cancer risk.”

About the Author

Nishad Thaivalappil

Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha…Read More

Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha… Read More

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Author: News18