My Detoxifying Challenge - February's Switches

During February I was able to make the following switches.

1 Curl Creme - My hair is naturally curly, but it requires curl creme to define the curls and prevent frizz. I had three half-empty bottles of various curl creams, all rated poor by the Yuka app. After scanning many curl creams in the Target hair product aisle, I discovered Shea Moisture's Curl & Style Milk Coconut & Hibiscus. Not only is it rated excellent on Yuka, but it also smells wonderful. and works great. A bottle costs about $10 and is available at Walmart or Target.

2 Moisturizer - After my esthetician recommended Jan Marini products, I started using them and found them effective. However, when I scanned them on Yuka, they were rated poor so I knew I needed to switch when they ran out. The first product I ran out of was the moisturizer. Yuka suggested Andalou Naturals Deep Hydration Moisturizer, which is rated as good. It appears to work just as effectively. The best part is it's only $20 on Amazon compared to the $128 I was spending on Jan Marini.

3 Laundry Detergent - Switching detergents was quite challenging for me. I had been using Tide Free and Clear for years, along with Diva Glamorous Wash, which smells incredible but unfortunately contains harmful chemicals and toxins. Since Yuka doesn't evaluate detergents, I conducted some research on my own. I discovered the brand Attitude, which uses high-performance plant-based surfactants and is safe for HE washing machines. The detergent is available in various scents and cleans my clothes just as effectively as Tide. You can easily order Attitude detergent from Amazon for about $15 - $20.

4 Sheets - The appearance and texture of my bedding have always mattered to me, but I hadn't considered the toxins we sleep with until recently. We spend nearly 30,000 hours in bed annually, and many of us are wrapped in sheets treated with PFAS, known as forever chemicals. I adored the look and feel of our current sheets, but they were worn out, so it was time for a change. After researching, I discovered that the key certification to seek is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). After evaluating various options and reviews, I decided to try Bioweaves Organic Cotton Sheets. I was apprehensive because they were only 300 thread count, but I chose to give them a shot. Both my husband and I have been very impressed. They are smooth, don't bunch, and fit our deep pocket king mattress. Most importantly, they stay cool, which is crucial when experiencing menopause and night sweats! Depending on size and color, they range from $60 to $80 per set.

Click on the picture above for a link to the sheets I purchased from Amazon.

5 Cooking Utensils - The plastic cooking utensils that have been a staple in my kitchen since my husband and I got married over 20 years ago are now warped, scratched, and even melted in some places. After reading an article about how toxins from these utensils can leach into food, I decided it was time to replace them. I opted for healthier alternatives and chose wooden utensils, purchasing a set from Amazon. You can get a set of 6 utensils costs for around $30 or a set of 10 for around $50

Click on the picture above for a link to the utensils I purchased from Amazon.

February Takeaways

• This month, I changed just 5 products, yet they significantly impacted my household.

• All of these switches either saved me money or were priced similarly to the previous products.

• As I progress on this journey, I find myself feeling less overwhelmed and more eager to explore what I can change.