That candle on your nightstand, the wine in your fridge, and even your fabric softener might be hiding animal-derived ingredients you never suspected.
When I first went vegan at 35, I thought I had it figured out. Check food labels, swap leather for canvas, find cruelty-free makeup. Done.
But a few months in, I discovered my favorite red wine was filtered through fish bladders, and suddenly I realized how much I didn't know.
The truth is, animal products hide in places we'd never think to look. Not because companies are trying to deceive us, but because these ingredients have been industry standards for so long that no one questions them.
So let's pull back the curtain on some common household items that might be undermining your vegan intentions without you even knowing.
1. Candles and their waxy secrets
There's something about lighting a candle that feels like self-care. But many traditional candles are made with stearic acid, which is often derived from animal fat, or beeswax, which comes from honeybees. Even some soy candles blend in these ingredients for better scent throw or longer burn time.
I remember buying a beautiful lavender candle at a farmers market, assuming "natural" meant vegan. It didn't. Now I look for candles explicitly labeled vegan, typically made from soy, coconut, or rapeseed wax. It's a small shift, but once you know, you can't unknow it.
2. Wine, beer, and the fining process
This one still surprises people at dinner parties.
Many alcoholic beverages are clarified using animal-derived fining agents like isinglass (fish bladder), gelatin, casein (milk protein), or egg whites. These agents help remove sediment and create that crystal-clear appearance we associate with quality.
The good news? More wineries and breweries are switching to vegan-friendly alternatives like bentonite clay or activated charcoal. Apps like Barnivore make it easy to check before you buy. Have you ever looked up your go-to bottle? The results might surprise you.
3. Fabric softener and dryer sheets
Here's one that caught me completely off guard.
Many fabric softeners contain tallow, which is rendered animal fat, to coat fibers and reduce static. It's listed under various names like "dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride," which sounds more like a chemistry experiment than something derived from cows.
When I worked in finance, I never thought twice about my laundry routine. Now I read ingredient lists on everything, including my dryer sheets. Plant-based alternatives exist and work just as well. Sometimes the most mundane products require the most detective work.
4. White sugar and bone char filtering
Not all sugar is created equal, at least not from a vegan perspective. Some refined white sugar is processed using bone char, which is made from cattle bones, to achieve that pure white color. This is more common in the United States than in other countries.
The tricky part? It's rarely listed on the label. Organic sugar, beet sugar, and brands that specifically state they don't use bone char are safer bets. I've started keeping a mental list of vegan-verified sugar brands. It felt excessive at first, but now it's just habit.
5. Certain vitamins and supplements
We take supplements to support our health, but many contain hidden animal ingredients.
Gelatin capsules are the obvious culprit, but vitamin D3 is often derived from lanolin (sheep's wool oil), and omega-3 supplements typically come from fish. Even some red-colored vitamins use carmine, a dye made from crushed beetles.
Look for supplements specifically labeled vegan, with vitamin D3 sourced from lichen and omega-3s from algae. Your intentions to be healthy shouldn't have to conflict with your values.
6. Plastic bags (yes, really)
This one feels almost absurd, but some plastic bags contain slip agents derived from animal fat to prevent them from sticking together. It's called oleamide or stearamide, and while not all plastics contain it, enough do that it's worth mentioning.
I'm not suggesting we all spiral into anxiety over every piece of plastic we touch. But it does highlight how deeply animal products are woven into manufacturing processes we never consider. What other everyday items might we be overlooking?
7. Certain glues and adhesives
From the glue on envelopes to the adhesive on some bandages, animal-derived ingredients pop up in unexpected places. Traditional wood glue often contains collagen from animal hides or bones. Some postage stamps and envelope seals use animal-based adhesives, though this is becoming less common.
When I send holiday cards now, I use a damp sponge instead of licking envelopes. It's a tiny adjustment, but these tiny adjustments add up to living more aligned with our values.
Final thoughts
Going vegan isn't about achieving perfection. It's about making conscious choices where we can, learning as we go, and extending grace to ourselves when we discover we've been unknowingly using animal products for years. I still find new things on this list regularly.
The goal isn't to feel guilty about the candle you bought last month. It's to carry this awareness forward, making different choices when the opportunity arises. Every small shift matters.
And honestly? The more you learn, the easier it gets to spot these hidden ingredients before they make it into your cart. What will you check first?
