Question from A. Smith

We are looking to darken our washed out looking maple butcher block countertop. Please submit ideas/suggestions. Only non-toxic/healthy responses please.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

I would look into food-based natural colorants. The juice from black walnut husks will stain your hands, so I imagine it would stain wood too.

Quick search…here’s a website with an easy wood dye made from black walnut shells:

http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1608.html.

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Question from Elizabeth

I have two different brands of humidifiers, small ones for individual rooms. Does anyone know how to keep mold from growing in the humidifiers and if there is anything to put in the water while the humidifier is working to keep mold growth down? Our water is also leaving deposits on the insides of the humidifiers. Last night I distilled water through my hot water/coffee maker, but it would take at least 4 pots to provide distilled water for one humidifer, much less two. I live in a very dry area, Colorado, and really don’t have the time or energy to clean them after each use. Hope that doesn’t sound lazy. Thanks for your help!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Penny Schafer

Recently, recalled toys have become big news:

So far this year Mattel has recalled almost 19 million toys for inherent dangers from lead paint, to small loose parts particularly magnets that can be easily swallowed.

The good news is there’s a whole world of gifts and toys that are good in very way, for the giver, the getter and the maker. Debra has done a great job of listing many websites on her Toys page of Debra’s List

As a woman owner of a family-run business, I’d like to offer these suggestions when choosing toys for children this holiday season:

Have I chosen a toy or gift made with organic materials, non-toxic (lead-free) paint or varnish or one that is toxic?

Does this toy have small, easily swallowed parts?

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Krista C

Hi everyone, I am looking for a recommendation of a facial moisturizer with sun protection. Some of my favorite brands make these, but their safety ratings leave a lot to be desired – seems that many efective sunblockers are toxic, and many “green” sunblockers don’t actually do much. I have found good sunblocks on the EWG site, but I’d love a one-step lotion with sunblock for my face. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Your recommendations?

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Question from Donnie

Has anyone had problems with the white Dust Grabber dust cloths? I ordered some, and when I opened the package and removed them, I had very serious reactions to them. This included shortness of breath, very bad headache, burning eyes and nose, etc. And I got a really itchy rash on my hands. These cloths are supposed to be for people with allergies, and not treated with chemicals. However, something about them sure made me sick. My husband washed them, and I still couldn’t be in the same room with the cloths, without getting a bad headache and burning eyes. I contacted the company that sold them, and they were not forthcoming with any information, and the person I talked to was even quite hostile. I was never able to find out what might have caused such severe reactions to the cloths. I wondered if anyone else may have had reactions to these cloths, or know anything about them.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from CHRISTAL JANIS

Is there anyone out there who uses only fruit/fruit spread as a means to sweeten dessert recipes? Thank you for your ideas. Christal

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Ian Greenberg

Debra,

I have MCS and I’m looking for a safe brand of Windows & Patio doors to use in my home. You have mentioned Jeld-Web Auralast in your column some time back, but there are also windows and doors made out of Fiberglass, steel and aluminum.

Can you recommend any other safe brands/Materials or let me know where I might find this information?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

From a toxicity viewpoint only, aluminum and steel would be safe for people with MCS.

Readers, what are your recommendations for these products?

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Question from Laura

After 8 months of breathing problems from the dish soap my mother uses she switched to Ecover. Even though I’m not at the house much anymore she is still using it. But it dries her hands. I think if a product removes dirt from dishes it’s going to remove natural oil from skin.

Do you have any suggestions other than using gloves? Also Ecover doesn’t get rid of tea stains. Does any detergent, or does one just need to use baking soda? I don’t mind the extra steps, but some people aren’t ready for that yet.

Debra’s Answer

Personally, at the moment I’m using Dr. Bronner Magic Soap (peppermint) to wash my dishes,

Readers, your recommendations?

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Question from J. S.

Dear Debra,

You’ve written a number of times that you have installed prefinished wood floors without any problems. I’m about to have a prefinished wood floor installed over an existing wood sub-floor. The contractor told me a layer of paper is placed between the two, and gave me different options, such as, builder’s paper, rosin paper, construction paper, and black felt. For the chemically sensitive person, is there a preference? What did you use for your floors?

Thank you for your help.

Debra’s Answer

I have never used anything between the subfloor and the wood floor except yellow glue. I don’t think it’s necessary.

Of the list you give, the plainest paper without anything added to it would be the best.

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Question from Janet Wolf Strand

Debra,

Do you know where I can purchase a teflon-free breadmaker? I have several parrots and I cannot cook with teflon because it could be fatal to my birds.

I have searched but cannot find one. Please help.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know. When I bake bread, which is rarely, I use an old loaf pan.

Readers?

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