How I ditched toxic ingredients, reclaimed my pantry, and simplified our home with homemade, safe alternatives.
When You Know Better, You Do Better
I used to toss toothpaste, laundry detergent, deodorant, and bread into my grocery cart without thinking twice. I trusted the brands. I trusted the labels. I didn’t think something sold at the store could possibly be harmful.
But once I started digging into the ingredients and what they actually do inside our bodies… I couldn’t unsee it.
Hormone disruptors.
Carcinogens.
Chemicals banned in other countries.
That was my wake-up call.
So I slowly stopped buying these products — and started making them myself with simple, safe ingredients. This blog post is a breakdown of what I found, what I use now, and how you can make the switch without the overwhelm.
Bread
Why is stopped buying it:
Most commercial breads contain potassium bromate (a possible carcinogen), azodicarbonamide (linked to respiratory issues), and high-fructose corn syrup and here’s what I found on some of the ingredients.
Common Additives in Bread:
Potassium bromate – Linked to kidney and thyroid tumors in animal studies. Banned in the EU, Canada, and China.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA) – Known to cause asthma in industrial settings.
Mono & diglycerides – Can contain hidden trans fats.
L-cysteine – Often sourced from human hair or duck feathers.
High-fructose corn syrup – Raises insulin levels and contributes to chronic inflammation.
🧠 Reference: NIH on potassium bromate toxicity
What I use now
Homemade sourdough. Just flour, water, salt, time and sometimes honey. No additives. Fermented goodness our bodies recognize. – Grab your FREE Simplified Sourdough Guide here
Toothpaste
Why I stopped using it
My toothpaste used to contain triclosan, a hormone disruptor, and SLS, which gave me mouth ulcers. Once I learned how few regulations existed around these chemicals, I switched.
Common additives in Toothpaste
Triclosan – Linked to thyroid disruption and antibiotic resistance.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – Irritating to skin and mucous membranes potentially causing gingivitis.
Artificial dyes – Linked to hyperactivity and cancer.
Propylene glycol – Absorbs through the mouth and is a potential toxin.
Flouride – Studies have raised concerns about potential neurotoxic effects with long-term high exposure, especially during early development. It’s also linked to thyroid suppression in high doses and skeletal fluorosis in fluoride-contaminated areas.
A Harvard meta-analysis found potential links between high fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children (mostly in areas with naturally high fluoride in water — not typical toothpaste use).
What I use instead
A homemade mineral paste with coconut oil, baking soda, xylitol, bentonite clay, and a drop of peppermint and clove oil. Gentle, safe, and remineralizing. -See my toothpaste recipe here
Deodorant
Why I stopped using it
I couldn’t ignore the research linking aluminum and parabens to hormone disruption and possible breast cancer risks. My underarms deserved better.
Toxins found in Deodorant
Aluminum compounds – Linked to DNA changes in breast tissue (still debated, but enough for me to switch).
Parabens – Mimic estrogen and disrupt the endocrine system.
Fragrance – Often hides phthalates (linked to reproductive toxicity).
Triclosan – Already banned from soaps but still sneaks into deodorants.
🧠 Reference: National Cancer Institute on antiperspirants
What I use instead
My homemade magnesium deodorant spray with magnesium, sodium bicarb, Aloe vera and essential oils. It’s natural, non-toxic, and actually works with your body and not against it.
Laundry Detergent
Why I stopped using it
When I read that some detergents emit carcinogens and chemicals that can damage lungs, I made a plan fast.
Hidden toxins in detergent
1,4-Dioxane – A likely human carcinogen.
Optical brighteners – Don’t clean, just trick the eye. Skin irritants.
Synthetic fragrance – Loaded with hormone-disrupting phthalates.
SLS/SLES – Respiratory and skin irritants.
NPEs – Banned in the EU, mess with your hormones.
🧠 Study found: Daily use of chemical cleaning sprays = lung damage of 20 cigarettes/day
What I use instead
Salts + bicarb + vinegar + essential oils and basic Castile soap. Gets the farm dirt stains out and safe for skin, lungs, and the earth.
This Isn’t About Fear — It’s About Empowerment
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to DIY everything overnight.
Start with one swap. Then another. Educate yourself. Trust your instincts. Find what works best for you.
That’s what I did — and I’m never going back.
I’ll leave you with this..
We can’t control everything, but we can control what we bring into our homes and put on our bodies.
Here’s to less overwhelm, more homemade, and the peace that comes with knowing exactly what’s in your products.
Till next time,
– Your Homestead Mompreneur
