When it comes to reducing our toxic load, the kitchen is such a powerful place to start. But with plastic containers, non-stick cookware, and cleaning products with harmful ingredients, it’s easy for unwanted chemicals to sneak in. The good news? You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Creating a low-tox kitchen can be simple, sustainable and even enjoyable. It’s all about thoughtful swaps that support your health over time. These are some of my favourite everyday switches I personally use and love. They’re practical, long-lasting and have genuinely made a difference in how I cook and feel in my space.
LOW-TOX COOKWARE
It honestly took me a while to upgrade my cookware because of the initial cost, but now that I’ve made the switch to Solidteknics, I can’t recommend them enough. Unlike non-stick pans, which are coated in harmful chemicals that can flake off into our food, Solidteknics pans are completely non-toxic. Made in Australia from a single piece of wrought iron or stainless steel, they have no toxic coatings, no synthetic materials and no joints or rivets that can trap food or bacteria. There’s no worrying about flaking non-stick surfaces (so no need to replace them every year or two) and no microplastics – just simple, honest cooking that’s built to last. You can use them on all heat sources too, from stovetop (gas and induction) to the oven, even outdoors in the pizza oven or over the campfire. Since adding a few pieces to my collection, I use them every day and they’ve definitely been worth the investment. Plus, knowing they’ll last forever makes it feel like money well spent. Investing in high-quality, non-toxic cookware is such a powerful switch for your health and the planet since these will never need replacing.
You can use the code ‘SOLIDPIE’ for 5% OFF with Solidteknics.
QUALITY KITCHEN KNIVES
Not exactly a low-tox swap, but definitely a kitchen essential in my eyes. A good quality knife makes cooking so much more enjoyable – and safer too. Years ago, we had very average kitchen knives, and honestly, it made cooking feel harder than it needed to be. Eventually, we invested in some high-quality Japanese cooking knives and it was a total game changer. They were an investment upfront, but over 11/12 years later, we’re still using them daily – they’ve truly stood the test of time. Even better, it made my partner enjoy cooking more too, so he’s much more hands-on in the kitchen. You really don’t need a whole set either; just one or two really good knives can completely transform your time in the kitchen. Like good cookware, they’re something you buy once and love for a lifetime.
WOODEN CHOPPING BOARDS
Plastic chopping boards might seem convenient, but they can shed tiny microplastics over time, especially when you’re using sharp knives. They also tend to wear down quickly and can harbour bacteria in deep knife grooves. I personally love using wooden chopping boards not just because they look good, but because they’re naturally antimicrobial, durable and much gentler on your knives (unlike glass boards, which can actually dull blades over time!). Wooden boards don’t leach any unwanted chemicals or microplastics into your food, and with a little care (like regular oiling and proper drying), they’ll last you for years.
GLASS STORAGE CONTAINERS + RECYCLED GLASS JARS
Swapping out plastic containers for glass is one of the easiest and most satisfying low-tox switches. Glass doesn’t leach chemicals into your food, especially when storing hot meals or acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus. Most of my jars are repurposed from olive jars, pasta sauce bottles, ghee jars and more. It’s a great way to reduce waste while also avoiding plastic exposure. I use them for everything from storing pantry goods and leftovers to packing smoothies and soaking nuts.
STAINLESS STEEL + WOODEN UTENSILS
Just like cookware, utensils can make a big difference. Swapping out plastic for stainless steel or wood is an easy way to reduce exposure to unwanted chemicals, especially when cooking with heat. I love the look and feel of wooden spoons and spatulas, and stainless steel is virtually indestructible. Simple, timeless and safe.
WATER FILTER
Filtered water is a non-negotiable for me, not just for drinking, but also for making our morning coffees and cooking. I’ve been using Waters Co water filters for years now and I absolutely love them. We have both the jug (which is perfect for camping) and the bench top option at home. They filter up to 99.99% of fluoride, chlorine, bacteria, heavy metals like lead and more. It also re-mineralises our water.
The jug comes with a 2-year filter kit, and the bench top unit comes with a 4-year filter kit provided. The quality of the water we drink plays such a huge role in our gut health, skin health and overall wellbeing, so this is one of those simple, foundational switches that really makes a difference long-term. If you’re thinking about giving them a try, you can use my code ‘JORDIEPIE7’ for a discount on any of their filters.
STAINLESS STEEL COFFEE PLUNGER + REUSABLE COFFEE MUGS
If you’re a coffee lover like me, this is one of those little switches that can make such a big difference. So many coffee machines and plungers have plastic parts that touch hot water, which can lead to chemical leaching over time – things like BPA, phthalates and even tiny bits of microplastic can sneak into your brew. After breaking a few too many glass coffee presses (oops!), I finally found a stainless steel one I love – the Avanti Modena Twin Wall Coffee Plunge. It’s made from 18/8 stainless steel, completely plastic-free and dishwasher-safe. And because we like our coffee hot (not lukewarm), we usually pour it straight into our stainless steel Fressko reusable mugs. They’re beautiful, sturdy and keep your coffee hot for ages. If you’ve been thinking about getting one, you can use my code "jordiepieface" for $15 off your first order at Jivita (orders over $130). Such a good little upgrade if you’re a coffee person, and they have a really wide range of colours to choose from too.
LOW-TOX BAKEWARE
So many baking trays and muffin tins are coated with synthetic non-stick finishes that can break down over time and release toxins when heated, especially when scratched or worn. I’ve slowly started making the switch to stainless steel bakeware from The Low Tox Project. Their bakeware is made from 18/8 food-safe stainless steel, which means no harmful coatings and no nasties like PFOAs, PTFEs, lead or cadmium. It’s completely non-toxic, oven-safe and dishwasher-safe. You definitely don’t need to replace everything overnight. I recommend starting with your most-used items (like your go-to oven tray or muffin tin) and slowly building from there.
You can use ‘JORDANPIE’ for 10% OFF with The Low Tox Project
STAINLESS STEEL STOCK POT
I picked mine up on a great sale at a kitchen store a few years ago when I was looking for a stainless steel stock pot to make bigger batches of homemade bone broth. Since then, it’s become one of my most-used kitchen items. I use it for everything from soups and slow-cooked meals to making sauerkraut and bone broth. Sometimes, I even use it to store extra produce, like a stash of onions and garlic.
KITCHEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
What you clean your kitchen with matters, too. I use Koala Eco cleaning products in my kitchen because their products are plant-based, non-toxic and smell so good. Our kitchens are places where we prep food, touch surfaces constantly and breathe in the air, so switching to low-tox cleaners helps create a much safer environment for everyone (kids and pets included!). I regularly use Koala Eco’s kitchen spray and dishwashing liquid. When I’ve forgotten to order my organic veggie boxes, I’ll sometimes have to get conventionally sprayed veggies, so I use their fruit & vege soak to help remove pesticide residue.
BONUS: WOODEN SALT CELLAR
This one’s a little detail, but it brings so much joy to my kitchen. I like to keep quality sea salt in a wooden salt cellar. It’s easy to access when cooking, looks lovely on the bench and avoids storing salt in plastic, which can sometimes interact with moisture or light.
BONUS: MY THERMOMIX
I bought my Thermomix second-hand over 10 years ago – it’s the old model and it’s still going strong. It’s definitely not essential, but it’s become such a helpful tool in my kitchen. I use it for everything – making nut butters, nut milks, smoothies, blending soups, cake batters, homemade mayo, reheating bone broth and soups and more. If you can find one pre-loved, it’s a great investment that can help you cook from scratch more easily, which naturally supports a low-tox lifestyle.
If you’re just beginning your low-tox journey, start small, maybe with a new glass container, or a stainless steel spatula or swapping to a natural cleaning product the next time you run out. And remember, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress and choosing what feels good and sustainable for you. Whether you're investing in a beautiful piece of cookware or simply reusing old jars, every little step counts.