Health
DetoxSwap shares general information about everyday products and what they’re made of. It isn’t medical advice, and it doesn’t replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, pharmacist, vet or another professional who knows you.
About the name
A swap is about the things that touch your food, your skin and your home. DetoxSwap is about swapping everyday products. It isn’t a detox or a cleanse. Nothing on this site claims to remove toxins from your body, and we don’t claim that any product, or any swap, will treat, cure, prevent or lower your risk of any disease.
Ask a professional first if
- You’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The swap is for a baby or a child, such as bottles, nipples, pacifiers, teethers, baby food, baby skin care, cribs or car seats. Ask your pediatrician, and follow the maker’s safety instructions. A crib, crib mattress or car seat must meet current US safety standards and suit your child and your car.
- The swap is period care, such as tampons, pads or a menstrual cup. Follow the maker’s wear-time guidance, and ask your doctor about fit, infections or toxic shock syndrome.
- You have a health condition, an allergy or sensitive skin, take medicine, or follow a special diet.
- The swap is for a pet. Ask your vet.
Natural rubber and latex
Some picks are made of natural rubber or natural latex, such as bottle nipples, teethers, bath toys, dog toys, yoga mats, pillows and mattresses. They can cause a reaction in people with a latex allergy. If anyone in your home has a latex allergy, or you’re not sure, choose another option and check with your doctor. The swaps for those picks say so in their notes.
Plant oils and pets
We pick body, baby and hair products with no added fragrance. A few contain a plant oil, such as lavender oil, named on the label. Plant oils can still irritate skin, so try a small amount first. Some essential oils can harm pets, especially cats; see the myth about essential oil diffusers.
Home safety checks
For radon, lead paint and carbon monoxide, a test kit or alarm is a good start. Follow the EPA’s and your local health department’s guidance, and use a certified professional wherever they advise one.
Recalls
Before you buy or use a product, especially for a baby or child, check for recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls (opens in a new tab), at fda.gov (opens in a new tab) for food and medical products, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls (opens in a new tab) for car seats and boosters. When we learn that one of our picks has been recalled, we take it down. If you see that one of our picks has been recalled, tell us at hello@detoxswap.com and we’ll take it down.
In an emergency
If someone may have swallowed, breathed in or touched something harmful, call Poison Help on 1-800-222-1222 (US), or 911 if it’s an emergency. For a pet, call your vet or an animal poison control center.
Our sources
Each swap lists its sources, such as studies and government agencies. When we describe a study, we’re describing what it found, which is often a link rather than proof of cause. Research changes, and we update swaps when it does. If something looks out of date or wrong, please tell us at hello@detoxswap.com. We read messages and fix confirmed errors.