April Cleanse…Say No to Polyester (plastic)
- Jyl Auxter-Kern
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
The cleanse this month dear friends is to clear our closets of plastic. Toxic clothes are making all of us sick…
The other day, I was listening to Joe Rogan’s podcast, which I have come to really enjoy. He was talking to Epidemiologist, Dr. Shann Swan. Over the years, her research has revealed that our chemical toxic world has made it difficult for couples to conceive a child. Rogan encouraged Dr. Swan to get her message (research) out into the world and that is exactly what she did. A well-done Netflix documentary was the result. In the podcast, she also shared a book called, “To Dye For,” by Alden Wicker. I have seen the documentary so, I can highly recommend it and just started reading the book— will keep everyone posted.
Dr. Swan's findings really made me think about my own closet. I like to consider myself the “wellness teacher” and living an organic-sustainable lifestyle; however, when I got into my closet and started looking at the labels of some of my favorite clothes, I was shocked. I would guess and say at least a fourth of my clothes (especially expensive workout/yoga) were 100% polyester. The problem with wearing plastic is when heated, polyester supposedly leaks into our bodies and who really knows what it is doing to our health. I need to read Wicker’s book and find out more details.
Elizabeth Cline author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion commented on Wicker’s book saying, “To Dye For is not just about clothes. It’s an intrepid, long-overdue investigation into the untested and often dangerous chemicals that are in nearly everything we buy…and an inspiring call to action for our government to put public safety over the power of the chemical industry.”
I must admit the chemical industry is sneaky. The other day, I ordered an Organic Cotton t-shirt only later to discover that it was 50% polyester. Polyester and Organic Cotton should not even be in the same sentence. What I am saying is we must work hard to stay conscious on this issue and tell others. The cotton t-shirts of yester years are now toxic. I hate to say it, but in the US a certified B label is one that will cost the consumer big—$250-$300 for a sustainable Frank and Eileen linen shirt. Most people can’t afford to pay this price for healthy clothes.
The testing in Europe is done by Oeko-Tex and usually tests for many more toxic elements in clothes and cosmetics than what is being tested in the US. I must applaud Europe on offering healthy clothing at a reasonable price. I have purchased a few clothes in the past that were 100% BIO/organic cotton, and they feel so good, and unconsciously, I tend to wear them more often. I have noticed at night when I can’t sleep it is usually because I am wearing PJ with some toxic polyester. No more! I am only wearing 100% silk or unbleached BIO cotton PJs.
Cleanse:
Step one: find your magnifying glasses and start reading the labels of all clothes, especially sleeping and workout garments.
Step two: If the label reads 100% polyester put the garment in a separate bag and if it is a blend, notice what other chemicals are added. Then do a little research on the safety of each chemical.
Step three: After you have gone through your entire wardrobe, check underwear and include socks. Our under clothes are probably the most critical clothing and likely to affect our bodies in a negative way if made with toxic chemicals.
Step four: Check outwear—coats, especially rain gear. I am keeping some of my outwear garments for now, but I will be buying only sustainable moving forward. Eventually, you will have to figure out what to do with your bag of plastic clothes. Maybe recycle...ugh? Or straight to the landfill?
Step five: Purchase Wicker’s book, To Dye For and give yourself time off to educate so you can then share with your sons and daughters and their kids. Offer this tone to your book club. Make it a mission to help others understand the problem. Then address how to fight back to save not only our planet, but our bodies.
Since moving to Bad Nauheim, Germany —a historical and mystical spa town tucked in a quaint countryside, I have become inspirited. I will leave you with this…In the 1800s there lived a German priest who would become the forefather of the naturopathic movement known as Kneipp Cure. This was a cure that he himself used. The Kneipp Cure is a 5-system self-healing method which includes: hydrotherapy, phytotherapy (plant medicine), movement, nutrition and balance (meditation).
Why mention a priest from the 1800s in my polyester blog? Back in his day, the monks were taught to wear only linen or hemp. They knew the clothes affected their health and higher frequency meditations or connection with God. Of course, big chemical industry was not killing people back then like today with their petrol clothing, but the monks confirmed that for good health, even in the 1800s, the fabric of clothes made a huge difference. Today, the Kneipp Cure is still well respected throughout Germany. Travel to Bad Nauheim and discover more.
I would love to hear from you. Thank you so much for reading my work. I am in the US April 18th-May18th, 2026. Email if you want to connect and start to consider a healing trip with me in Bad Nauheim, Germany.
Love and Light,
Jyl Auxter-Kern, PhD
Medical Medium
Author of Upside Down…The Rise of an Evolution
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