Top 5 Easiest (and Cheapest) Low-Tox Swaps
Here are some of the most impactful and most cost effective low-tox swaps I have made and I would never go back. These are cheap, easy, and just make sense. I hope these help to make these quick decisions that will start you on your path to cutting out carcinogens!
- Water Bottle
Get rid of your plastic water bottle(s) and start using glass or stainless steel. This is the simplest thing that goes a long way. Especially if you are drinking from those thin plastic bottles that come in packs from the store. We don't know what amount of time that water is sitting in those bottles or at what temperatures, degrading over time into the water you drink. There are tons of options for glass or stainless steel substitutes and if you don't want to spend the money purchasing a new one, use a glass mason jar or reuse a pickle jar!
- Cleaning Products
Stop using Lysol wipes. Stop using Method cleaner. Stop using Dawn. Just stop buying this garbage altogether. This stuff is toxic, kills your gut microbiome, and irritates your skin. Get some baking soda, white vinegar, and some good dish soap (I use dr. Bronners), some water, occasionally some olive oil for polishing or essential oil if you want to add some scent. And you have all of the cleaning supplies you need for everything from toilets, to floors, from wood furniture to leather, for any surface. Recipes here.
- Air Fresheners
This is a money saver for you. Just stop buying these altogether. The fastest way to get things into your body besides intravenously is through your respiratory system. The chemicals in these babies are hazardous to your health. Skip the fragrance. If you need to, put some essential oil into some water & spray. Open windows, use fans for cooking and bathroom ventilation, change out garbages frequently. Problem solved.
- Microwaves
Apparently, radiating our food can actually destroy the nutritional value. Go figure. While they are so convenient and are everywhere, if you need to heat up food quickly, use the stove or a perhaps a toaster oven if you have one. If you're eating at the office or somewhere else, perhaps err on the side of something that doesn't need to be heated like salads. Or, if you have to, 45 seconds max. While the jury is still a bit out on this one, I'd rather be safe than sorry
- Toothpaste
Ditch the fluoride and SLS. Swap your toothpaste out for something with hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is what your teeth are biologically made of. Your teeth will uptake the minerals the same way it uptakes the fluoride and it's not a neurotoxin. This one will end up being a bit more pricey (let's say $10 instead of $5) but it's so worth it. Traditional toothpaste has no business in your mouth. Some other good options for oral care are oil pulling (organic extra virgin coconut oil) first thing in the morning, and tongue scraping. You can probably use far less toothpaste if you start incorporating these habits thus saving you money in the long term.
Let me know what some your favourite swaps are!
-HHH
*Some links may contain affiliate links. I have never been paid to recommend any of these items. These recommendations are made after personally purchasing each item.