Toxic Cleaners Part 3: Speak With Your Wallet

Carcinogens and neurotoxins in our laundry detergent? And shampoo? This is the third of a three-part series on what is in the products we buy and realistic steps to take to reduce exposure to ourselves and our families.

We have the most contact with deodorant and lotions, since we often wear them all the time (or close). I have found truly natural deodorant to be very expensive, so I make my own.

Here's the recipe:

• 1/3 cup baking soda (you can use a touch less if you want/need) 1/3 cup corn starch or arrowroot powder (you can use a touch less if you want/need)
• 1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons coconut oil (I did it once without the extra two teaspoons. It works, but it's crumbly. It wouldn't have held together in a deodorant container.)

Several oils work well as lotions, even if your skin is oily. Grapeseed and olive oils are the two more common choices. You need only a couple of drops. If it hasn't been absorbed within a couple of minutes, you used too much.

One by one, look at the products that you are using and choose greener or DIY alternatives.

If I can't eat it, I don't wear it.

Ladies, consider that you look good without so many products. A diet built on whole, non-processed foods, along with lots of water and enough (or close to enough) sleep does wonders for your complexion. So does self-confidence.

As I have changed my habits, others have noticed. One by one, they've started asking questions and trying bits here and there. I don't beat anyone over the head. I talk about it in context, and I live it the best that I am able. Slowly, it spreads. If each person who picks it up from me spreads it to one other person, and they to one other, the impact is huge.

It's too late for me not to get cancer. It's not too late for me not to get it again. It's not too late for my son not to get it. It's not too late for epidemic rates to go down. If we speak with our wallets, companies will change, safer products will become more available. They don't care, as long as they make money. It is up to us.

Will you help save yourself AND change the world?