I found out what was in our water. I couldn't unknow it.

It started with a water quality report. I'd never thought to look at one before — I assumed our tap water was safe. The city tests it, right?

Turns out, "safe" by EPA standards and "safe for my kids" are two very different things. Our water had detectable levels of PFAS, lead, and chromium-6. All within legal limits. All linked to cancer, developmental delays, and immune system damage in the studies I started reading.

So I did what I always do when something matters — I researched. Not the casual "read two blog posts" kind of research. The "read the actual EPA filings, pull up the NSF certification databases, compare third-party lab tests" kind.

I spent three weeks comparing every water filter on the market. I read every NSF certification document. I compared what each filter actually removes versus what they claim to remove. And I found that most of the popular recommendations in the "natural mom" space were based on marketing, not data.

Once I found the products that actually worked — and could prove it with independent certifications — I shared my findings with a few friends. They shared it with their friends. And people kept asking me to look into more products.

That's ThoughtfulMom.

What makes this site different

How I evaluate products

Every product on this site goes through the same process:

1. Independent certification check. Does it have NSF, WQA, or equivalent third-party certification? If a product claims to remove contaminants but has no independent verification, it doesn't make the cut.
2. Real-world testing data. I look for third-party lab test results, not just manufacturer claims. What does it actually remove, and at what percentage?
3. Cost analysis. Purchase price is only part of the story. I calculate ongoing filter costs, cost per gallon, and how it compares to alternatives over 1-3 years.
4. Family fit. Does it work for renters? How much counter space does it need? Is it loud enough to wake a sleeping baby? Practical questions that matter for families.
5. Honest comparison. How does it compare to alternatives in the same category? I never review a product in isolation — you should know what else is available.

What this site covers

I started with water filtration because that's where my personal journey began. But clean water is just one piece of keeping your family safe from environmental contaminants. ThoughtfulMom now covers:

• Water filtration — reverse osmosis, gravity filters, pitcher filters, shower filters
• Air quality — HEPA purifiers, air quality monitors, nursery air solutions
• Sun protection — non-toxic mineral sunscreens, UPF clothing, sun safety
• Allergy relief — drug-free solutions, HEPA vacuums, allergen barriers

Each category has a free lookup tool so you can check your own environment before deciding what products (if any) you need.

A note on affiliate links

This site uses Amazon affiliate links. When you purchase a product through one of my links, I earn a small commission (typically 3-8% depending on the product category) at no extra cost to you. This is how I keep the site running and the tools free.

I want to be completely transparent: the affiliate commission never influences which products I recommend. I recommend first, check for affiliate links second. If a product I love doesn't have an affiliate program, I still recommend it.

$449 and my kids never drink lead again. Easy decision.