Freeing yourself from oil is a downright impossible task in modern America. You could put solar panels on your roof, bring tote bags to the grocery store, and drive an electric vehicle, but try as you might, your home would still be brimming with products derived from fossil fuels.

Roughly 9 out of every 10 things in a typical home have some kind of chemical basis in petroleum, according to John Warner, an inventor who co-founded the field of “ green chemistry .” It’s easy to miss all these innocent-looking items, because they’re hiding in plain sight.

After World War II, a budding industry fueled by petroleum rapidly expanded — and the products hardly resembled crude oil. They were Tupperware containers, nylon stockings, and Tide laundry detergent. Chemical companies called these synthetic items “miracle” products that would revolutionize home living, promising comfort and convenience.

For oil companies, the home was a new frontier.…