From the front lines of the movement for safer products, environmental health expert Lindsay Dahl takes us on her journey from skeptic to activist, exposing the secret forces that keep toxic chemicals in our homes, bodies, and environment—showing us how to fight back and keep our families safe.
In Cleaning House, Lindsay Dahl shows how seemingly innocuous items—everything from toys to common beauty and cleaning products—can include toxic chemicals, thanks to a consistent failure of regulation in the United States. The scientific research linking toxic chemicals in products to rising rates of cancer and reproductive harms is as strong as the science that led to banning lead from gasoline, PBCs, and DDT. But with varying degrees of protective guardrails in place for the everyday items, consumers are tasked with playing toxic-chemical detective and those unable to afford safer products are left hanging in the balance. Through vivid storytelling and robust scientific evidence, Dahl makes a compelling case that a safer world will only arrive through systemic change. We must turn off the tap of toxic chemicals before they make their way into our homes and bodies—and here she shows you how.
Drawing on Dahl’s extensive experience as a lobbyist, product formulator, and a parent, she unravels the shocking web of political and cultural factors that landed us here and are key to solving this massive public health crisis. Dahl takes readers behind the scenes as a young but determined lobbyist fighting powerful chemical industry players, which she discovered are replicating Big Tobacco’s disinformation playbook by downplaying the harms of the toxic chemicals they continue to profit from. And she introduces readers to the brilliant scientists doing ground-breaking research, legislators passing life-saving laws, forward-thinking business leaders, communities facing the highest level of exposure to toxic chemical pollution, and parents from all political stripes who have joined the fight for a safer world.
Told through a compelling David and Goliath narrative, Cleaning House dares to take a pragmatic and science-based approach to the concept of clean living, in a time where the wellness movement is threatened by partisan politics and misinformation. It is an essential read for anyone who wants a safer home and a safer future for our children.
I received an ARC of this from the author/publisher and it is phenomenal! I was captivated by the writing, the research, and the way in which it effectively tells the store of the toxic chemicals in all of our products and how companies are knowingly using them for profit. You don’t need to be a chemist to read and understand the information. It’s a quick read and very engaging.
Lindsay has been on the front lines of policy change from lobbying to working with businesses trying to make a difference. If you're looking for the inside scoop to see how it works, this is the book for you! She gives you tons of first hand experience and tells it like it is. You won't be disappointed because you'll feel like you're chatting with a friend.
Whether you have been on this clean living journey for a while, are just getting started or are a skeptic, this book is a must read for all. In Cleaning House, Lindsay Dahl, environmental health expert, beautifully weaves together stories from personal experience as a parent, lobbyist, educator and product formulator. This book arms you with necessary information as to why the fight to rid our homes (and lives) of toxic chemicals is so important and is a health issue for all. As she writes, "wherever you are on this journey, it's the perfect starting point." I was privy to read this book before it officially launches August 5th and was so grateful for the chance to do so. Grab a copy your present and future self will thank you!
100% must read for everyone who cares about if not others’ health, their own and their family’s health. evocative, timely, incredibly important work that anyone and everyone should take a part of. If you live in the US especially, please read this!
I *thought* this book was going to be more of a "Here's what to buy and what not to buy and why; here's what to use and what not to use and why" type of book...but it's not at all, and I was pleasantly surprised at what it actually IS! What it IS is a fantastic narrative--a highly-engaging tale--about one woman's story of working to create safer products in the American market. The story is very easy to read, and it feels like a conversation with the author. It's a rare, inside look at what goes on behind the scenes by people working hard to increase our access to safer consumer products and decrease (or, better yet, eliminate all together) access to harmful products.
Lindsay Dahl is my go-to resource for all things related to reducing our exposure to toxic chemicals. Her approach is practical, focused on progress, not perfection and she provides you easy steps you can take without replacing everything in your home. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to make healthier and safer choices in your home, whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been on this journey for years.
I came across this book via my wife, who has been way ahead of me on staying up to speed in the world of consumer product safety. And this book does an excellent job of putting in perspective how difficult it has been to stay up to speed. Reading the book made me think back to when I was growing up and there was a continual drumbeat of news reports of consumer products and ingredients linked to cancer and the running joke was “everything gives you cancer.” Well, turns out that’s closer to the truth than any of us were aware of and people like the author have been spending their careers trying to make us more alert to the reality and put pressure on companies and the government to improve transparency and reduce the risk of the products we buy every day.
Quick synopsis of the book; the author started out of college trying to advocate for change to improve the environment and instead by way of a happenstance conversation was introduced to the dangers lurking within consumer products. Interestingly, some of the toxic chemicals we’re now as a general population more aware of (e.g. BPA, PFAS, phthalates, VOCs) were known problems 20 years ago, but it just took a lot of time and advocacy work to bring them to the public consciousness. The author chronicles her journey from doing state advocacy in Minnesota to working for a nonprofit group lobbying at the federal level and then ultimately doing lobbying on behalf of Beautycounter, a cosmetics company that aimed to develop beauty products that worked well while upholding rigorous health and safety standards.
I think one of the hardest things for me to wrap my head around over the course of reading the book is how reactive consumer safety responsiveness is. It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying to yourself, “well, if ‘x’ were so toxic and unhealthy, I can’t imagine that it would be sold in every retail store in America and basically every person I know owns/uses/eats it.” But it turns out that is not how it works and not a very smart way to approach buying things in this country and instead it takes a lot of mental energy to vet products to limit exposure to unnecessary toxins. But also, how lame is that? In the words of the author, “we must remove the burden of asking people to be their own federal agencies and put the onus where it belongs: on our government and companies to do better.”
Lots of little tidbits in here were interesting; flame retardant? dumb and counterproductive. Dollar stores? Often carry products that got rejected from the Target and Walmarts of the world for being too toxic. BPA free? Not necessarily much better because of ‘unfortunate substitutes’ and you’re better off steering clear of plastic when possible. Also, if the book reads a little too “and then I did this, and then I did this, and then this happened” for you (which, fair point…I feel you), it wouldn’t be the worst thing to just skim the book until you get to the “you” and “take action” sections because those have concise guides for what to look for/avoid when making buying decisions for a wide range of products and summarize the overall gist of the book. That said, I didn’t find this book preachy or super negative as can often be the case in this genre, so I was captivated by how the regulatory landscape has evolved on this issue and happily got through the book quickly. Lastly, the book was a refreshing contrast to the typical lanes that these arguments go into, either a sanctimonious “perfectionist” or else a “dismisser” that wants life to be simple and argues that it’s a waste of time to think about this stuff. Rather, it was an efficient read to make myself a much more well-informed consumer.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cleaning House is just the sort of book that more people need to be exposed to. There’s a ton of information on all the chemicals that are in everyday items around the house. Lindsay Dahl was one of the people who pushed to have BPA plastics banned from baby bottles and canned goods, so yay, Lindsay! A lot of these toxic chemicals are now found in our food and water.
This book is a call to action for all of us worried about the prevalence of chemicals all around us. Since my first pregnancy, I’ve been pretty diligent about less toxic cleaners in the house, as well as less toxic food choices (like ultra-processed foods.) The fact that a lot of these chemical compounds are banned in other countries is telling, yet the current government is rolling back protections is insane.
Cleaning House offers everyday tips on how anyone can make changes; this practical guide shows the reader how they can make small, incremental changes to their consumer habits. Those reels and stories of people cleaning their floors with “cleaners” like Fabuloso, which is bad for a variety of reasons, make me crazy. Simply going back to vinegar and water is a much better solution. Small changes like that make a big difference!
This book is a wakeup call to those looking to make incremental progress on getting rid of all the chemical baddies in our homes.
Read this Book! Normally I have to force myself to read this genre. But I (and several of my friends) have devoured it in a just few days. It reads more like a thriller or mystery novel than non-fiction. There are so many twists and turns but what is most fascinating to me-it’s not all gloom and doom like books I’ve read on climate change, for instance. Take aways: In the US we clearly prioritize profits over people, there are a disgusting amount of toxic chemicals available at stores especially when compared to Europe BUT Grassroots movements really work—aka SHOW UP at rallies and protests, call your elected officials, stay engaged. You may think that certain things like buying a couch or mattress, or mascara has the EPA watching out for us, keeping the most toxic chemicals out of what we buy, WRONG…but its easy to avoid at stores once you know what you’re looking to avoid. If you know me, you know I would rather smell musty than Tide. I would rather be well inside than look good on the outside at parties. My cousin died from a cancer caused by lawn chemicals. I was exposed to chlorine poisoning when I was a swimmer. As many of us do: I have many relatives with cancer. I have known since I was a young girl to be careful-since the 70s and for that I am grateful but this book has given me NEXT STEPS. Very grateful reader! —Martha
A very different read from what I am use to, but I have to say I learned a plethora of new information. Cleaning House by Lindsay Dahl is a powerful and accessible exploration of the toxic chemicals in everyday household products, that you may never have imagined—and how in the US items with these toxins are being allowed and sold. Dahl is an activist and clean beauty executive, that talks about her personal experience, and her effort to make a change. The book is both eye-opening and empowering, offering practical tips for ways of living safer. Dahl shows readers how small choices and action can lead to meaningful change, and how we can make a difference no matter how small it is. It's a must-read for anyone because it makes you aware of your surroundings.
Lindsay Dahl, thank you for all that you do! For making our world safer for our future generations. You have made me aware of my surrounds. I went to the store, the other day, and was actually searching for items that were Phthalate free. I also just heard in the news that in Europe a key ingredient in gel polish was banned. After reading this book, I truly learned to become more aware of my surroundings.
Thank you Goodreads for letting me enter the daily giveaway and win. I had the honor to read this amazing book!
Fantastic read! Lindsay Dahl and I both work within the environmental health/safer products space, albeit in different capacities. We've both noticed the way the conversation about "toxins," "chemicals," and "clean living" has become polarized over the last few years, to the degree that people seem more intent on fighting about it than actually reading the literature. People are either quick to dismiss the issue entirely (using scare quotes around these words to imply they're not real) or are overhyping and sensationalizing the data, all to sell a supplement or detox teas.
Lindsay does an excellent job of telling this story, along with the story of how chemical policy gets passed, and what obstacles are often in the way of stronger regulations.
If you've seen the polarized and extreme hot takes about environmental chemicals online and know there must be a grounded, balanced middle, Cleaning House is a must-read!
This book is honestly a must-read for the folks at both ends of those extreme perspectives too and will hopefully pull them into a more accurate and tempered view of this critically important topic.
Wow. If a thriller and a memoir and health exposé had a baby, it would be Cleaning House. If you want to understand how our chemical companies have taken over our bodies and homes, and how we can course correct away from the toxic dangers, this book is the blueprint. Dahl, who started out as a skeptic—not believing that the microscopic molecules in shampoo, sippy cups and shower curtains, could truly be linked to cancer, infertility and neurological harms—takes the reader on her journey as she uncovers the data, speaks to the scientists doing the research and meets families who are impacted. As a lobbyist (she helped pass the first BPA ban in the country), she takes you inside the halls of lawmakers who are being manipulated by Big Chemical. She reveals exactly how social media is making things worse, spreading misinformation, polarizing people and distracting us all from a goal we all share: A safer world to live in. After reading this, I scroll differently, I shop differently, and my conversations with people around the issue of toxic chemicals are more nuanced and hopeful (yes, hopeful).
I read this book in a day. This well-written book is both informative and fascinating! I enjoyed reading about Lindsay Dahl’s journey from young advocate/lobbyist to national expert and policy leader in clean ingredients and safer products. I loved the way Lindsay wove in her personal story, as she skillfully related the complex history of chemical ingredients in our products and why we should all be concerned. Hearing about carcinogenic chemicals in consumer products can stoke fear, but Cleaning House does a great job of balancing potentially scary information with science and solutions. While the book includes helpful consumer tips, the author emphasizes that it takes more than consumer awareness to rid our products of toxic chemicals. Lindsay says we need to “… put the onus where it belongs: on our government and companies to do better.” Whether you are familiar with this issue or are just starting to get informed, I recommend this book as essential reading for our roles as both citizens and consumers.
This book is a must-read. It is a common-sense yet moving exploration of the toxins we encounter on a daily basis, and an explanation of how Dahl and others worked to get them labeled or banned. The book is part narrative (including Dahl’s fight to get BPA banned from baby bottles) and part guide. I was moved to tears by some of the stories Dahl’s shares. I also really appreciate the guidance Dahl gives at the end of the book for how to avoid the worst toxins in common products. It’s definitely helped me think through which products I might want to replace. While I wish the in-text citations had been clearer and some guidance had been more developed and specific, this is still a fantastic resource much-needed today! I give it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions.
I really enjoyed this book as a mother of little children, yogi and minimalist. My favorite quote was something like "We should not have to have our doctorate in biology to understand the chemicals in our everyday products". It is so hard to navigate all products with greenwashing, this book gives practical and real tips to take this into our local communities. Lindsay is also very inspiring and makes me want to do more locally to ban chemicals! My son has ADHD and he now knows that he cant have dyes so he asks me constantly, "can I have this? does this have dye?". Why cant all of our food be safe for our kids, why cant we be more like Europe and ban more ingredients that harm our kids, why do companies make their products so colorful. So many questions with no answers but Lindsay helps me feel better knowing shes already helped ban 30 chemicals and is working on more!
Everyone needs to read this...for our healthier future...and our children's...
The author, Lindsay Dahl is an incredible researcher, activist and fighter! For all of us, she's helping everyone with her research, insightful diagnosis of this toxic environment and whistle-blowing declarations...she's a force to be reckoned with for all of us...
If there's ever a book that needs to be read...for everyone's benefit...this is it! You just can't imagine what you'll uncover...and the feelings you'll discover...after reading this deeply researched and explosive material!
I absolutely loved this more than words can ever say. Not only do i finally have someone answers to questions I have asked for years, but also it has inspired me that I can do more than what I am already doing to make sure me and my husband live just a little longer. All the information was easy to absorb, well structured, and unbiased that I really enjoyed going through this. Learning so much and getting an activist with experience perspective on what these companies are like. Plan on buying my own copy in the future to loan out, recommend and utilize in my own life. Thank you, we needed this.
Cleaning House completely changed the way I look at the stuff in my home. Lindsay Dahl shines a light on the hidden hazards in things we use every single day—from toys to makeup to cleaning supplies—and somehow makes it both fascinating and easy to digest. Instead of leaving me feeling overwhelmed, she gives real, doable steps to make healthier choices for my family. Her mix of solid research and down-to-earth advice makes this book a total standout. I’ve already started making changes, and I feel so much better knowing I’m creating a safer space for the people I love. Highly recommend!
This book is a must read for a science backed way to understand how chemicals in, on and around us can affect us. Written as a memoir, it is an easy read with the last chapter full of helpful information to use when purchasing products, reaching out to companies, and most importantly making actionable change through reaching out to our officials and demanding regulations be set in place to protect us.
I have been following Lindsay for a long time and trust what she shares and has to say (as a skeptic, I appreciate that she always looks to science and shares peer reviewed information). This book is essential reading for anyone that wants a safer home. Lindsay continues to be a trusted resource in my life and I am so grateful for the information in this book. As a new mom, doing all the research can feel daunting and I have found the resources she shares extremely user friendly and doable.
I was a little hesitant. Other books in this realm are not only dry and written by an ego, but also make you feel bad about how many things you're doing wrong. This is nothing like those books. I sincerely appreciate the pragmatism and permission to avoid the traps of all-or-nothing thinking, and just be a human trying to do your best for yourself, your family, and the world. All the wonderful stories and anecdotes kept me coming back for more.
So grateful for voices like Lindsay's who can cut through the noise and shed light on important topics like toxic chemicals. She has a way of weaving her long history of fighting against the industry and astounding scientific insight together through humor, heart-warming stories, and cold, hard facts. In this day and age, we need books like Cleaning House to help us understand the fight we are up against and provide easy, maintainable action items.
Cleaning House by Lindsay Dahl is an engaging read. The story shares about the toxic chemicals in everyday products, the author's journey and experience as a lobbyist and advocate for safer products, and how you can help make changes for the better. The book reads very conversationally and the author's knowledge and with make for a good read. I highly recommend. I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.
This book is the Silent Spring for our digital generation. I loved how easy this book was to read and how the author introduced us to experts (mostly women) working on the front lines to address toxic chemical pollution. The book also presses us to think twice about how we consume information (hint it shouldn't just be social media). HIGHLY recommend. Great for book clubs.
I absolutely loved this book. In a sea of misinformation about this topic, Dahl effortlessly breaks down the science and nuances of complicated topics like this. She brings you along through her own personal story, including juggling raising two girls while lobbying Congress to fight to protect public health. It's a must read! I also follow her on social and I highly recommend that as well!
Lindsay is a force to be reconned with! She brings science, passion and dedication. This book is a no-nonse science and advocacy backed approach to being an informed consumer as well as fighting for changes to consumer products. In a space often consumed with fear mongering, this is a nuanced and hopeful approach that we all need.
Not only is Cleaning House super informative for anyone wanting to reduce toxins in their home, it’s also a fascinating peek into the world of lobbying, regulation and the amazing people that work tirelessly for change - so that someday (hopefully!) we won’t have to wonder and worry about every product we pick up in the store.
Cleaning House is beautifully written, relatable, and easy to digest especially for a book about a heavy topic. It can feel overwhelming bordering on impossible to keep up with all the things we should be doing to keep our bodies and families safe. Dahl breaks these down into easy to follow steps. I’m so grateful for this informative guide.
So much insight and knowledge from writer and advocate Lindsay Dahl in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and feel inspired by this book and can already see many opportunities for change in my daily living. Highly recommend this book to anyone interested in embracing environmental safety practices or even just curious about clean living. Great read!